What Does the Cow Say?

Not long after “mamma” and “dada”, animal sounds emerge as the words very young children learn. Before the age of two, toddlers can identify a surprising number of animals and the sounds they make. A visit to the zoo, aquarium, or preserve can support this burgeoning interest, but so can the many wonderful books on animals for children of all ages. These books provide an interactive experience for young book lovers as well as informational text and great stories for preschool and beyond. Children learn the names of animals, the sounds they make, classification, and even kindness and conservation.

Creature ABC is a traditional alphabet volume with untraditional photographs. Pictures of real animals juxtaposed in the ‘abc’ format create a page turner that appeals to a wide range of young readers. The creatures shown go far beyond the usual barnyard set and challenge the reader to guess the animal from an initial view of one part. Can you tell a chameleon by its tail?

Photographs provide a different perspective in Animal Friends: A Global Celebration of Children and Animals. Children from around the world are shown with a variety of animals, some common and some not. The text indicates the similarities and differences among the animals, but tells us that animals will return the affection we show them.

In Japan, the cat is a good luck symbol for merchants. The beautifully illustrated Beckoning Cat unveils the mystery behind this icon. In this folktale, kindness begets kindness as the grateful cat helps a young boy take care of his adult-like responsibilities.

Children’s experiences may range from playing with the family pet or viewing the aquarium in a child care center to observing wildlife in a natural habitat. A wide array of well written and illustrated books on animals can appeal to the young reader's interest and curiosity.