Ever since
Doctor Dolittle mused “If we could talk
to the animals…” and Charlotte spun SOME PIG, the idea of
communicating with animals has been avidly embraced by young readers. ( If only I could know what they were thinking...) Along with desire to talk with and listen to
our pets and wildlife is the wish to help them.
Grownups might not listen to children, but animals certainly will. The popularity of this theme is evidenced by
the fact that 2 recent Newbery Award winners : The One and Only Ivan and
Flora& Ulysses, highlight animals with the ability to communicate as
protagonists. For the animal-loving day
dreamer, the following books provide exciting, fantastic adventures within the
animal kingdom.
Charlie is
half African and can talk with cat family, much like his father, the Brother of
Lions. Set in the near future, he sets
out from London to seek his kidnapped scientist parents and finds himself on a
Paris-bound circus ship learning to train lions. He and the lions join forces as
Charlie learns of and attempts to thwart plans by evil pharmaceutical companies
intent on making money by increasing an asthma epidemic through genetically
altering felines. The story spins out
for 3 books as the plot broadens. Fast
paced and lots of action. Good for those
who have always wanted to be the lion tamer at the circus.
The White
Giraffe & sequels
Is actually
set in Africa, as orphaned Martine goes to live on a South African game
preserve. She discovers a mystical
ability to commune with and heal wild animals.
She also helps save the game preserve itself from unfriendly intruders.
Mr. & Mrs.
Bunny: Detectives Extraordinaire
As in Lionboy,
we start off with a pair of kidnapped parents.
But here the similarity ends. In
this humorous satiric mystery, Mr. & Mrs. Bunny discover a human child can
understand them so they attempt to help her find her parents and save the
rabbit population from yet another fiendish villain. More of a peek into a coexisting animal
world, Mr. & Mrs. Bunny have further adventures as Lord & Lady Bunny.
Max
"the Wolf" is a top-notch Boy Scout, an expert at orienteering, and a
master of being prepared. So it is a little odd that he suddenly finds himself,
with no recollection of his immediate past, lost in an unfamiliar wood. Even
odder still, he encounters a badger, a black bear, and an old barn cat, all of
whom talk, and who are as clueless as Max. Before long, Max and his woodland
comrades are on the run from a relentless group of hunters and their deadly
hounds. Traditional folklore elements and
a rather surprisingly sophisticated twist at the end will either leave readers chuckling
or disappointed (and no, it was not all a dream).
Beginning
with The
Story of Doctor Dolittle, these gentle adventures of the human doctor
who learned the language of animals and became an animal doctor are classics
enjoyed by all ages and make good family read-alouds. Doctor Dolittle is beloved by sick animals
and healthy readers all over the world.
Daisy Dawson
Is on Her Way!
Daydreaming
Daisy gets kissed by a butterfly one morning and discovers she and all her
animal friends can understand each other.
Humorous misunderstandings and adventures follow. With help, Daisy rescues her beloved basset
hound from a mean dogcatcher. Daisy is
delightful in this and other easy chapter books.
Outlandish
Adventures of Liberty Aimes
Ten-year-old
Libby escapes her prison-like home by using a strange concoction of her
father's, then tries to make her way to the boarding school of her dreams,
aided by various people and animals.
After using some Comprehension Cream, created by her Mad Scientist
father, Libby finds she can understand the animal test subjects in his lab.
(Evidently they have also used the Cream, as they can understand her, too.) Telepathy with animals is just one of several
paranormal abilities she acquires as she frees herself, turns her evil father
over to the police and helps her mother out of her appetite enchantment.
Set in
Renaissance Venice, this is the story of Renzo, an apprentice glassblower who
takes in a group of children with wild bird companions. Told from his perspective
it keeps the reader somewhat mystified as to why the children and birds keep
such close communion.
Zane
discovers that a nefarious vet is attempting to control animal behavior for his
own gains, subjecting them to inhumane treatment. Technology comes into play, as computer
chips, wiring and monitoring play a large part in Zane’s ability to communicate
with his dog and other animals. The boy
attempts to disconnect both himself and the animal subjects from constant
electronic surveillance and experimentation, all the while maintaining a down-to-earth,
boy and his dog relationship. Filled
with middle school humor and savvy, Zane’s adventures should especially appeal
to boys.
Talking with
animals isn’t all fantasy. Let’s end
with a true life story of animal human communication by reading about Koko, the
world famous lowland gorilla who has been taught American Sign Language. Her ability to both express and comprehend in
existing language structure is amazing. Watch Koko cavort on YouTube
