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Recommended Books with Humane Themes

Animal-themed books to promote empathy for people and animals

Empathy through Literature

RedRover maintains lists of children's books that highlight the human-animal bond, depict accurate animal body-language, and promote empathy for animals and people.

Want to recommend a humane-themed book? RedRover is always on the lookout for humane-themed books to add to our list. We are especially looking for books which highlight the human-animal bond, display accurate animal behavior, are beautifully illustrated, and do not overtly tell a message (the story invites the reader to discover the message instead). Book suggestions can be emailed to Readers@RedRover.org.

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Program Books

Below is the list of books that are used in the RedRover Readers program. RedRover Readers has developed CASEL- and Common Core-aligned curriculum around these titles, provided after taking a RedRover Readers workshop.

Click here to download a list of the books in the RedRover Readers program.

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Looking Out for Sarah
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Out of the Cold cover
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Featured Books

Recommended Books
with Humane Themes

Books about Dogs

RedRover's bookshelf: dogs

Beautiful Joe
Beautiful Joe
by Marshall Saunders
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Because of Winn-Dixie
Because of Winn-Dixie
by Kate DiCamillo
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Before You Were Mine
Before You Were Mine
by Maribeth Boelts
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Belle's Star
Belle's Star
by Connie Gotsch
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Buddy Unchained
Buddy Unchained
by Daisy Bix
tagged: redrover-program-books, redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, and dogs
Cheering for the Underdog: A Rescue Dog's Quest
Cheering for the Underdog: A Rescue Dog's Quest
by Alexandra Bach-Weidmuller
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Chewy Louie
Chewy Louie
by Howie Schneider
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Cookie's Fortune
Cookie's Fortune
by Lynda Graham-Barber
tagged: redrover-program-books, redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, and dogs
Danny Dog: A Rescue Dog Finds His Forever Home
Danny Dog: A Rescue Dog Finds His Forever Home
by Sid Shapira
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
A Day, a Dog
A Day, a Dog
by Gabrielle Vincent
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Dogku
Dogku
by Andrew Clements
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Elmer and the Talent Show
Elmer and the Talent Show
by Danny Robertshaw
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Forever Buster: What a Name! What a Dog, We Exclaim!
Forever Buster: What a Name! What a Dog, We Exclaim!
by Martin Rabbett
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, dogs, and pet-loss
The Forever Dog
The Forever Dog
by Bill Cochran
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, dogs, and pet-loss
Frank the Tank - An Adopted Dog Tale
Frank the Tank - An Adopted Dog Tale
by DJ Burk
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Freckles & Willie: A Valentine's Day Story
Freckles & Willie: A Valentine's Day Story
by Margery Cuyler
tagged: redrover-program-books, redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, and dogs
Fred Stays With Me!
Fred Stays With Me!
by Nancy Coffelt
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
The Good Dog
The Good Dog
by Todd Kessler
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Hachiko Waits
Hachiko Waits
by Lesléa Newman
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Hachiko: The True Story of a Loyal Dog
Hachiko: The True Story of a Loyal Dog
by Pamela S. Turner
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Harley Saves the Day
Harley Saves the Day
by Karen Patterson
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
A Home for Dixie: The True Story of a Rescued Puppy
A Home for Dixie: The True Story of a Rescued Puppy
by Emma Jackson
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
How To Speak Dog
How To Speak Dog
by Sarah Whitehead
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, dogs, and animal-behavior-and-...
JJ The American Street Dog and How He Came to Live in Our House
JJ The American Street Dog and How He Came to Live in Our House
by Diane Rose-Solomon
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
A Kid's Best Friend
A Kid's Best Friend
by Maya Ajmera
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
"Let's Get a Pup!" Said Kate
by Bob Graham
tagged: redrover-program-books, redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, and dogs
Lily Unleashed
Lily Unleashed
by J.D. Kloster
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Looking Out for Sarah
Looking Out for Sarah
by Glenna Lang
tagged: redrover-program-books, redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, and dogs
Love That Dog
Love That Dog
by Sharon Creech
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Lucky Boy
Lucky Boy
by Susan Boase
tagged: redrover-program-books, redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, and dogs
The Lucky Tale of Two Dogs
The Lucky Tale of Two Dogs
by Cathy M. Rosenthal
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Maggie's Second Chance
Maggie's Second Chance
by Nancy Furstinger
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
The Magic Squad and the Dog of Great Potential
The Magic Squad and the Dog of Great Potential
by Mary Quattlebaum
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Max Talks to Me
Max Talks to Me
by Claire Buchwald
tagged: redrover-program-books, redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, and dogs
Meet the Mutts: A CritterKin Tale
Meet the Mutts: A CritterKin Tale
by Jena Ball
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Montague: The Pit Bull of Park Avenue
Montague: The Pit Bull of Park Avenue
by Mary Gregory
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Moose and the Smelly Sneakers
Moose and the Smelly Sneakers
by Danny Robertshaw
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Mutt Dog!
Mutt Dog!
by Stephen Michael King
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Nico & Lola: Kindness Shared Between a Boy and a Dog
Nico & Lola: Kindness Shared Between a Boy and a Dog
by Meggan Hill
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Not Afraid of Dogs
Not Afraid of Dogs
by Susanna Pitzer
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Orville: A Dog Story
Orville: A Dog Story
by Haven Kimmel
tagged: redrover-program-books, dogs, and redrover-recommended-books-with-hum
Our Very Own Dog: Taking Care of Your First Pet
Our Very Own Dog: Taking Care of Your First Pet
by Amanda McCardie
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Out of the Cold
Out of the Cold
by Valerie Ingram
tagged: redrover-program-books, redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, and dogs
Please, Puppy, Please
Please, Puppy, Please
by Spike Lee
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Pole Dog
Pole Dog
by Tres Seymour
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Rescue & Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship
Rescue & Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship
by Jessica Kensky
tagged: redrover-program-books, redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, and dogs
Rescue Pup
Rescue Pup
by Brenda Fiorini
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Rez Dogs
Rez Dogs
by Joseph Bruchac
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Sad, the Dog
Sad, the Dog
by Sandy Fussell
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Sammy in the Sky
Sammy in the Sky
by Barbara Walsh
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, dogs, and pet-loss
Saying Goodbye to Lulu
Saying Goodbye to Lulu
by Corinne Demas
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, dogs, and pet-loss
Second Chance: How Adoption Saved a Boy with Autism & His Shelter Dog
Second Chance: How Adoption Saved a Boy with Autism & His Shelter Dog
by Sandra J. Gerencher
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Stay: The True Story of Ten Dogs
Stay: The True Story of Ten Dogs
by Michaela Muntean
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Thinker: My Puppy Poet and Me
Thinker: My Puppy Poet and Me
by Eloise Greenfield
tagged: redrover-program-books, redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, and dogs
Tiffany Rolls On
Tiffany Rolls On
by Stephanie Itle-Clark
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Too Many Dogs!: From too many to just right, teach your kids about responsible pet ownership through these lovable dogs.
Too Many Dogs!: From too many to just right, teach your kids about responsible pet ownership through these lovable dogs.
by Karen J. Roberts
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival
Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival
by Kirby Larson
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, dogs, and cats
A Very Unusual Dog
A Very Unusual Dog
by Dorothy Joan Harris
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
The Way I Love You
The Way I Love You
by David Bedford
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
Worzel Goes for a Walk! Will You Come, Too?
Worzel Goes for a Walk! Will You Come, Too?
by Catherine Pickles
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, dogs, and animal-behavior-and-...
Worzel Says Hello!: Will you be my friend?
Worzel Says Hello!: Will you be my friend?
by Catherine Pickles
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs
How I Love and Care for My Happy Dog
by Valerie Ingram and Alistair Schroff
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and dogs

goodreads.com

Books about Animal Behavior & Emotions

Books on our Animal Behavior list are non-fiction books that provide additional knowledge about animal behavior, especially communication, since this is so critical for building good relationships with animals. Click here for more information about the Animal Behavior & Emotions and Human Behavior & Emotions that can be found in the RedRover Readers program.

Books about Animal Behavior & Emotions

Animals Have Feelings, Too! : Exploring Emotions from A to Z
Animals Have Feelings, Too! : Exploring Emotions from A to Z
by Karen Lee Stevens
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and animal-behavior-and-emotions
How To Speak Cat
How To Speak Cat
by Sarah Whitehead
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, cats, and animal-behavior-and-...
How To Speak Dog
How To Speak Dog
by Sarah Whitehead
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, dogs, and animal-behavior-and-...
How to Talk to Your Cat
How to Talk to Your Cat
by Jean Craighead George
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, cats, and animal-behavior-and-...
Worzel Goes for a Walk! Will You Come, Too?
Worzel Goes for a Walk! Will You Come, Too?
by Catherine Pickles
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, dogs, and animal-behavior-and-...

goodreads.com

Books about Pet Loss

Books about Pet Loss

Albuquerque Turkey
Albuquerque Turkey
by B.G. Ford
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and pet-loss
Desser the Best Ever Cat
Desser the Best Ever Cat
by Maggie Smith
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, cats, and pet-loss
Forever Buster: What a Name! What a Dog, We Exclaim!
Forever Buster: What a Name! What a Dog, We Exclaim!
by Martin Rabbett
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, dogs, and pet-loss
The Forever Dog
The Forever Dog
by Bill Cochran
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, dogs, and pet-loss
Goodbye Mousie
Goodbye Mousie
by Robie H. Harris
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and pet-loss
Sammy in the Sky
Sammy in the Sky
by Barbara Walsh
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, dogs, and pet-loss
Saying Goodbye to Lulu
Saying Goodbye to Lulu
by Corinne Demas
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, dogs, and pet-loss
Sonya's Chickens
Sonya's Chickens
by Phoebe Wahl
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and pet-loss
The Tenth Good Thing About Barney
The Tenth Good Thing About Barney
by Judith Viorst
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and pet-loss

goodreads.com

Books about Cats

Books about Cats

Alya and the Three Cats
Alya and the Three Cats
by Amina Hachimi Alaoui
tagged: redrover-program-books, redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, and cats
The Cat Man of Aleppo
The Cat Man of Aleppo
by Irene Latham
tagged: redrover-program-books, redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, and cats
Cat on the Bus
Cat on the Bus
by Aram Kim
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and cats
Desser the Best Ever Cat
Desser the Best Ever Cat
by Maggie Smith
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and cats
Duncan and Dolores
Duncan and Dolores
by Barbara Samuels
tagged: redrover-program-books, redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, and cats
Ginger
Ginger
by Charlotte Voake
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and cats
Goyangi Means Cat
Goyangi Means Cat
by Christine McDonnell
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and cats
The Happy Tale of Two Cats
The Happy Tale of Two Cats
by Cathy M. Rosenthal
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and cats
Hate That Cat
Hate That Cat
by Sharon Creech
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and cats
How To Speak Cat
How To Speak Cat
by Sarah Whitehead
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and cats
How to Talk to Your Cat
How to Talk to Your Cat
by Jean Craighead George
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and cats
Kitten Caboodle
Kitten Caboodle
by Paige Grant
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and cats
Lost and Found Cat : The True Story of Kunkush's Incredible Journey
Lost and Found Cat : The True Story of Kunkush's Incredible Journey
by Doug Kuntz
tagged: redrover-program-books, redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, and cats
Marvin: Trap King for a Day
Marvin: Trap King for a Day
by Elysa Rubee
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and cats
Meow Means Mischief
Meow Means Mischief
by Ann Whitehead Nagda
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and cats
My Cat Copies Me
My Cat Copies Me
by Yoon-duck Kwon
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and cats
Nobody's Cats: How one little black kitty came in from the cold
Nobody's Cats: How one little black kitty came in from the cold
by Valerie Ingram
tagged: redrover-program-books, redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, and cats
Rescue Kitty: A Special Cat, a Big Surprise, a Happy Ending
Rescue Kitty: A Special Cat, a Big Surprise, a Happy Ending
by Brenda Fiorini
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and cats
Scrawny Cat
Scrawny Cat
by Phyllis Root
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and cats
So, What's It Like to Be a Cat?
So, What's It Like to Be a Cat?
by Karla Kuskin
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, redrover-program-books, and cats
Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival
Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival
by Kirby Larson
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, dogs, and cats
The Upstairs Cat
The Upstairs Cat
by Karla Kuskin
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and cats
The Very Best of Friends
The Very Best of Friends
by Margaret Wild
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and cats
At Home Outside
At Home Outside
by Valerie Ingram
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and cats
How I Love and Care for My Happy Cat
by Valerie Ingram and Alistair Schroff
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and cats
goodreads.com

Books about Other Domestic Animals

Books about Other Domestic Animals

Belle, The Last Mule at Gee's Bend: A Civil Rights Story
Belle, The Last Mule at Gee's Bend: A Civil Rights Story
by Calvin Alexander Ramsey
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and other-animals
Black Beauty
Black Beauty
by Anna Sewell
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and other-animals
Call the Horse Lucky
Call the Horse Lucky
by Juanita Havill
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, redrover-program-books, and ot...
Charlotte's Web
Charlotte's Web
by E.B. White
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and other-animals
Each Living Thing
Each Living Thing
by Joanne Ryder
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and other-animals
Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos
Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos
by Monica Brown
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and other-animals
Hello, Horse
Hello, Horse
by Vivian French
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and other-animals
Hens for Friends
Hens for Friends
by Sandy DeLisle
tagged: redrover-program-books, redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, and ot...
Jeannie Houdini: A Hamster's Tale
Jeannie Houdini: A Hamster's Tale
by Mary-Ann Stouck
tagged: redrover-program-books, redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, and ot...
Little Flower
Little Flower
by Gloria Rand
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and other-animals
Mango, Abuela, and Me
Mango, Abuela, and Me
by Meg Medina
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and other-animals
Millie and Cupcake
Millie and Cupcake
by Mildred Potash
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and other-animals
One Unhappy Horse
One Unhappy Horse
by C.S. Adler
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and other-animals
Sapphire the Great and the Meaning of Life
Sapphire the Great and the Meaning of Life
by Beverley Brenna
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and other-animals
Stealing Thunder
Stealing Thunder
by Mary Casanova
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and other-animals
Waiting for the Biblioburro
Waiting for the Biblioburro
by Monica Brown
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and other-animals
The Wild One
The Wild One
by Terri Farley
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and other-animals

goodreads.com

Books about Wildlife

Books About Wildife

Armando- An Adventurous Nine-Banded Armadillo Tale
Armando- An Adventurous Nine-Banded Armadillo Tale
by DJ Burk
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife
Birdsong
Birdsong
by Julie Flett
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife
Coyotes in the Crosswalk: Canadian Wildlife in the City
Coyotes in the Crosswalk: Canadian Wildlife in the City
by Diane Swanson
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife
Daisy and the Dirty Dozen
Daisy and the Dirty Dozen
by Brian Wallace
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife
Daphina - A Freed Bottlenose Dolphin Tale
Daphina - A Freed Bottlenose Dolphin Tale
by DJ Burk
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife
Dario and the Whale
Dario and the Whale
by Cheryl Lawton Malone
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife
Dr. Rosie Helps the Animals
Dr. Rosie Helps the Animals
by Jennifer Welborn
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife
Gamba - An Optimistic Mountain Gorilla Tale
Gamba - An Optimistic Mountain Gorilla Tale
by DJ Burk
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife
Goodbye Mousie
Goodbye Mousie
by Robie H. Harris
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, pet-loss, and wildlife
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn
by Kenard Pak
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife
Goose Girl
Goose Girl
by Joe McLellan
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife
Goose's Story
Goose's Story
by Cari Best
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife
Grady the Goose
Grady the Goose
by Denise Brennan-Nelson
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife
Hoot
Hoot
by Carl Hiaasen
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife
If the World Were 100 Animals: A Visual Guide to Earth's Amazing Creatures
If the World Were 100 Animals: A Visual Guide to Earth's Amazing Creatures
by Miranda Smith
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife
Janey Monarch Seed
Janey Monarch Seed
by Julie Dunlap
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife
Jayden's Impossible Garden
Jayden's Impossible Garden
by Mélina Mangal
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife
Johnny's Pheasant
Johnny's Pheasant
by Cheryl Minnema
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife
Look Up!: Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard
Look Up!: Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard
by Annette LeBlanc Cate
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife
Mali - A Rescued Asian Elephant Tale
Mali - A Rescued Asian Elephant Tale
by DJ Burk
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife
Night of the Spadefoot Toads
Night of the Spadefoot Toads
by Bill Harley
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife
The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story
The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story
by Tina Cho
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife
Owl Moon
Owl Moon
by Jane Yolen
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife
Sonya's Chickens
Sonya's Chickens
by Phoebe Wahl
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum, pet-loss, and wildlife
The Thing about Bees: A Love Letter
The Thing about Bees: A Love Letter
by Shabazz Larkin
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife
Whale Trails, Before and Now
Whale Trails, Before and Now
by Lesa Cline-Ransome
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife
What I Like About Toads
What I Like About Toads
by Judy Hawes
tagged: redrover-recommended-books-with-hum and wildlife

goodreads.com