"Feel good" books about animals

"The Will to Win" by Jane McIlvaine McCleary. Story of the only American bred, American owned, American ridden winner of the Grand National at Aintree, Jay Trump (circa 1965). A result of an accidental breeding, ran on the half-mile bush tracks in South Carolina, almost fatally injured in a racing accident, went on to become a field hunter, show hunter, hurdle racer, then timber steeplechaser and three-time winner of the Maryland Hunt Cup (a race over 4 to 5 foot solid timber fences), then taken to England and qualified for and then won the Grand National, returning to America to win the Maryland Hunt Cup once again.

All of Herriot's opus is good, and there is a biography of Herriot, "The Real James Herriot" by Jim Wight, his son.

Don't know if I'd call them "Feel Good" but Vicki Hearne's books "Adam's Task" and "Animal Happiness" are an interesting philosophical take on our relationship with animals and animal training, dog, horse and cat, and other.
 
In fiction, how about The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents? It is a kid's book, but really, really good. It's a parody of the pied piper story, with talking rats and a talking cat. A more adult book is Fluke by Christopher Moore. It a novel in which most of the main characters are whale researchers, so some whales get in the book.

In non-fiction, I would add to the people recommending James Herriot, and add the book Most of My Patients Are Animals by Robert M. Miller, who was a vet in California, I think.

I also like Monster of God by David Quammen. It's about large predators, both the actual creatures and the myths surrounding them.
 
TriangleMan said:
You might want to check out books by Farley Mowat (Never Cry Wolf is his most famous, although Owls in the Family was also good) as many of his works were pro-animal. Not exactly for kids though, more like for readers age 10+.
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Yes, an excellent book, though Mowat is somewhat ostracised by biologists for manufacturing evidence. Still, a great and moving story, regardless of how absolutely correct it is. The movie is not bad either.
 
Tricky said:
Yes, an excellent book, though Mowat is somewhat ostracised by biologists for manufacturing evidence. Still, a great and moving story, regardless of how absolutely correct it is.
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I thought the book was fiction anyway so why would some biologists get upset? Or was it originally presented as non-fiction or "based on a true story"?
 
A favorite in my family is Tailchaser's Song by Tad Williams.

It is a "quest" story, sort of a Watership Down with cats.

Anyone who loves cats should really enjoy it.
 
Meri said:
In fiction, how about The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents? It is a kid's book, but really, really good.
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For mature kids. Younger or more sensitive ones might find it too frightening. Heck, I found some parts pretty scary. Leave it to Pratchett not to talk down.
 
Meffy said:
For mature kids. Younger or more sensitive ones might find it too frightening. Heck, I found some parts pretty scary. Leave it to Pratchett not to talk down.
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Yeah, it was a very Pratchett kind of kid's book. If you've read some of the other Discworld books, Hogfather especially, one idea that shows up repeatedly is that violence and scary things in kids books bother adults far more than children. Still a great animal book, though.
 
Um, how about Animal Farm?

It's got upright walking pigs!
 
What a lovely thread, with some great suggestions that I'll be tracking down. I may even try some of the fantasy ones, even though I'm usually averse to that as a genre. Thanks for the topic, pgwenthold. Even if it was to benefit your wife, it's benefitted others.

Floyt said:
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Gerald Durrell's books are every one a good read. Even better than his expedition and zoo-building accounts are his memoirs of a nature-steeped childhood in Corfu (the first of which is "My family and other animals").
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Seconded wholeheartedly. That one is my favourite book ever, in that I have re-read it many times.

I've got around 15 of Gerald Durrell's 37 books (and I've read several more). Last year I re-read all mine in order of publishing date, then his biography. You can usually find copies at second-hand bookshops and jumble sales, but a lot are still in print. I'd recommend them all. Of course, I am biased.


Last week I picked up "The James Herriott Collection" at the library, and have spent many late nights unable to put it down. I loved the TV series in the 80s, but for some reason I'd never read the books.
 
Pretty much everything by Dick King-Smith. Childrens books really, but they're still great to read now I'm all grown up.

I'd also have to say Black Beauty, White Fang and Ajax the Warrior. Still kids books and rather old fashioned but definately animal-type feel good books.

The Little Grey Men and Down the Bright stream might count as well. Mainly about gnomes, but lots of animals there as well.

Douglas Adams - Last Chance to See is on a more factual side. I'm not sure it would count as feel good, but a very interesting read and some very pretty pictures in it as well.
 
ooh_child said:
I got an autographed copy of All Creatures Great and Small from my in-laws, who lived in England near the vet who wrote it. It has a lot of great stories about being a country vet over there. I understand he wrote at least 2 or 3 other novels in the same vein.

*googles for author's name*

Ah yes, James Herriot. Would like to buy an autographed copy of one of his books? ;)

MHB
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Does the autograph read "James Herriot" or "Alf Wight"? I'm always curious as to how the pseudonymous sign their names.
 
Jon. said:
Does the autograph read "James Herriot" or "Alf Wight"? I'm always curious as to how the pseudonymous sign their names.
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Come to think of it, did Mark Twain sign as Samuel Clemens?

And speaking of which, his story The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County is a good animal story.
 
hgc said:
Come to think of it, did Mark Twain sign as Samuel Clemens?
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I went to find out, and found this great letter... http://www.historyforsale.com/html/prodetails.asp?documentid=258366&start=54&page=43

Hartford May 17, '86

My Dear Sir:

If I were a poet, I would acknowlege your pleasant compliments in verse; but I am not, so I am forced to say my thanks in the ruder form of prose - which is like answering the gracious salutation of a bugle with a fog horn.

Truly Yours
S.L. Clemens
Mark Twain

Mr. Edward W. Lummis
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Well it's been a while but how about Born Free, Living Free, Forever Free by Joy Adamson or something like that
 
Meffy said:
If you don't mind fantasies, try the Redwall stories by Brian Jacques. No humans in this world, just intelligent, somewhat anthropomorphic animals. Some bits are cutesy enough to uncurdle sour milk, but there are fierce (though small-scale) battles that the losers don't walk away from. Suitable for anyone from pre-teens to adults.
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Meffy, you beat me to it!

How about The Chronicles of Narnia? Or maybe Rikki-Tikki-Tavi? (Anyone else remember that one?)
 
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