The Giant Print Library Animal stories for younger readers
Updated October 2012
Any UK member of our library service may borrow up to a maximum of 6 books per service for a 3 month loan period.
Most of the books have been produced by the National Blind Children's Society and are in 24 point type with identical covers to the ordinary print versions of the books.
Please be aware that due to their size, many of the books are split into two or more volumes, and these will have the same covers.
For details on borrowing any of the titles listed or for further information regarding the Giant Print collection please contact Liz Farrell or Hazel Sharrock, Children's Librarians at RNIB National Library Service on 0161 429 1975.
Animal stories for younger readers
Adams, Georgie
Mellow and the great river rescue. 2011. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
Meet the Railway Rabbits! Join this irrepressible rabbit family as they get in and out of scrapes, meet new friends, perform daring rescues, and explore the ancient castle on the hill. But watch out for the wily buzzard, always on the lookout for naughty rabbits who stray too far from home.
Adams, Richard.
Watership Down. 1972. Suggested reading age 11+. 4v.
Only a few rabbits escape with their lives when men destroy their warren. Many dangers have to be faced as they search for a safe place to establish a new one.
Atkinson, Eleanor.
Greyfriars Bobby. 1912. Suggested reading age 11+. 2v.
Bobby, an active Skye terrier, adores his master Auld Jock, and when the old man dies, Bobby refuses to leave his grave in Greyfriars Churchyard in Edinburgh.
Bagnold, Enid.
National Velvet. 1935. Suggested reading age 11+. 2v.
Velvet is mad about horses. She wins a horse in a raffle. His heart is big and he'll do anything for Velvet. She has her sights set on a biggest race in England. Can a girl win the Grand National?
Bates, Michelle.
A horse for the summer. 2009. Suggested reading age 7+. 1v.
Part of the Sandy Lane Stables series (The perfect pony and Ride by moonlight by Michelle Bates are also available) Tom's cousin has agreed to lend him Chancey, her stunning chestnut gelding, for the holiday. But Tom's elation turns to dismay when he sees the state Chancey is in. It will take a lot of hard work to get the horse ready for the summer shows, but Tom is determined... until Nick decides Chancey is too dangerous to ride.
Bawden, Nina.
The peppermint pig. 1977. Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
Johnnie was the runt of the litter, a little peppermint pig. He'd cost Mother a shilling, but somehow his great naughtiness and cleverness kept Poll and Theo cheerful, even though it was one of the most difficult years of their lives.
Birney, Betty G.
The world according to Humphrey. 2006. Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
Book 1 of the According to Humphrey series (Other books in this series are also available). You can learn a lot about life by observing another species. That's what Humphrey was told when he was bought as a classroom pet for Room 26. Humphrey learns to read, write, shoot rubber bands and much more. Life would be perfect if only the teacher, Mrs Brisbane, wasn't out to get him!
Butterworth, Annette
Jake. 1996. Suggested reading age 7+. 1v.
Book 1 in the Adventures of Jake series (Other books in this series are also available). Jake loves to chase ducks, play with dirty washing, and eat chocolate eggs. He dreams of going to Crufts, the biggest dog show in the world, but he knows he'll never get there. But Jake is the best friend you could ever have - and sometimes even a dog's dream can come true.
Butterworth, Nick.
Tiger in the snow! 2007. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
It isn't hard for Tiger to find someone to play with! But one day, when everything is covered in a chilly white blanket of snow, Tiger's friends are too cold or too busy to go out and he has to play by himself. Until he finds something very unusual buried in the snow!
Byars, Betsy
The midnight fox. 1998. Suggested reading age 11+. 1v.
Tom is so excited by seeing the black fox with the green eyes that he goes out every day hoping to see her again. And when she and her cub are in danger from his uncle's gun, he is sure he is the only person who can save them.
Byrne, Richard.
Millicent and Meer. 2011. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
One day, Millicent is busy making sandcastles in her garden when, THUMP, a big wooden box lands beside her. Inside, Millicent finds the most unexpected new friend. Who can he be and where has he come from? Find out in this funny book about the friendship between a feisty little girl and a sparky, adorable little meerkat.
Canning, Victor
The runaways. 1978. Suggested reading age 11+. 2v.
Story of an encounter between a remand home runaway and a cheetah which had escaped from Longleat.
Charles, Faustin.
The selfish crocodile. 1999. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
Every morning a very large and very snappy crocodile shouts this selfish message: 'Stay away from my river! It's MY river! If you come in my river, I'll eat you all!' The animals in the forest don't know what to do. They are frightened of the crocodile. Until one day, the creatures are woken by a loud groaning sound which turns out to be the selfish crocodile in a lot of pain, and the smallest of them all, a little mouse, finds a way to solve their snappy dilemma!
Clover, Peter.
New pup on the block. 2000. Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
(Other books in this series are also available). It's Jack's birthday. Morning dawns and his presents await him. A puppy is all he's ever wanted... Hercules is a huge disappointment. Short, squat and funny, but not what Jack had in mind. Ignoring this scruffy bundle of fur is his only option. But Hercules is a dog who won't give up. Even when Jack leads him into terrible danger.
Cooper, Helen
Pumpkin soup. 1999. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
A story focusing on friendship and sharing. Cat, Duck and Squirrel live in an old white cabin. Every day Cat slices up some pumpkin, Squirrel stirs in some water and Duck tips in some salt to make perfect pumpkin soup. Everybody seems happy until the day Duck wants to do the stirring.
Cope, Andrew
Circus act. 2010. Suggested reading age 7+. 1v.
One of the books from the Spy Pups series. Spud - he's scatty and accident prone - but good with the gadgets ...Star - she's super smart and ready to pounce Together they're Spy Pups, following hot in the paw prints of mum Lara (that's Licensed Assault and Rescue Animal to you). Every time the circus is in town, sparkling jewels worth millions of pounds go missing! The Spy Pups must embark on an exciting new adventure - join the circus and catch the robbers!
Cope, Andrew.
Spy dog. 2005. Suggested reading age 9+. 1v
Book 1 in the Spy dog series. (Other books in this series are also available). Lara, is a special agent, bred by the British Secret Service for use on dangerous missions around the world. She must go undercover as a normal dog, 'choose' a family to look after her and await her retrieval by the Secret Service. But can she keep her true identity a secret?
Cross, Gillian.
The great elephant chase. 1992. Suggested reading age 11+. 2v.
The great elephant chase took Tad and his friend from Pennsylvania, to Nebraska, by train, flatboat and steamboat. They were being chased by Hannibal Jackson who wanted the elephant for his own ends. And how do you hide a large Indian elephant?
Dahl, Roald.
Esio trot. 1989. Suggested reading age 7+. 1v.
Mr Hoppy, a retired bachelor, harbours a secret passion for the attractive widow Mrs Silver. She, however, lavishes all her attention on another - Alfie, her pet tortoise! Will Mr Hoppy's wildly ingenious plot to defeat his rival and win the love of his lady?
Dahl, Roald.
Fantastic Mr Fox. 1970. Suggested reading age 7+. 1v.
Three farmers, were lying in wait outside Mr Fox's hole, each one determined to shoot, starve or dig out Mr Fox. But Mr Fox's wife was right when she told the children, 'Your father is a fantastic fox! He has quite enough brains to fox much cleverer farmers than Boggis, Bunce and Bean!'.
Dahl, Roald
The giraffe and the pelly and me. 2001. Suggested reading age 7+. 1v.
Billy is surprised when a giraffe, a pelican and a monkey move into the queer old wooden house that used to be a sweet shop. The giraffe is concerned because they need work for their Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company. The next thing you know they are cleaning the windows of Hampshire House, home of the Duke of Hampshire and the pelican is catching a burglar.
Daniels, Lucy.
Dolphin in the deep. 2004. Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
This is a book from the Animal Ark series. (Other books in this series are also available). A trip to the States is a dream come true for Mandy! She loves playing with two tame dolphins, Bob and Bing. But when Bob dies, the lonely Bing pines for company. But will Mandy's daring plan to cheer him up work?
Davies, Nicola.
White owl, barn owl. 2008. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
The little girl in this book has never seen a barn owl, but one day her grandpa puts a nest-box high in the old oak tree. They wait and they wait until one spring night, just as the sky goes pink, a pale face looks out of it, then takes off towards them...
DiCamillo, Kate.
Because of Winn-Dixie. 2001. Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
One summer's day, ten-year-old Opal Buloni goes down to the local supermarket for some groceries - and comes home with a dog. Winn-Dixie is no ordinary dog. He is big, skinny and smelly, but he has a winning smile and helps Opal to make lots of friends that summer.
DiCamillo, Kate.
The tale of Despereaux : being the story of a mouse, a princess, some soup, and a spool of thread. 2004. Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
This is the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse in love with music, stories and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro and a serving girl called Miggery Sow. These characters are about to embark on a journey that will lead them down into a dungeon and into each other's lives.
Di Terlizzi, Tony.
Kenny & the dragon. 2008 Suggested age range 9+. 1v
Kenneth is a little rabbit with a very big problem. His two best friends are heading for a battle of legendary proportions - with each other!
Dodd, Lynley.
Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's dairy. 1985. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
Hairy Maclary goes off for a walk with a few of his friends - and comes up against a nasty surprise, in the shape of the cat Scarface Claw, who chases the dogs away.
Duffey, Betsy.
Lucky in the doghouse. 1999. Suggested reading age 7+. 1v.
George loves his new puppy, Lucky, but Lucky is out of control. If George can't stop Lucky barking at night and making puddles in the house, Mum and Dad say he will have to go!
Fine, Anne.
The chicken gave it to me. 1993. Suggested age range 7+. 1v.
This story is a chicken's extraordinary tale. The true story of Harrowing Farm. Its scratchy little pages unfold a story that changes lives, the story of a chicken who flies frillions of miles to try and save us humans.
Fine, Anne.
The country pancake. 1991. Suggested age range 7+. 1v.
Lance comes up with the most original fund-raising idea ever - all made possible because of his friendship with Flossie the cow.
Fine, Anne
The diary of a killer cat. 1996. Suggested reading age 7+. 1v.
(The sequel, The killer cat strikes back, is also available) Poor Ellie is horrified when Tuffy drags a dead bird into the house. Then a mouse. But Tuffy can't understand what the fuss is all about. Who on earth will be the next victim to arrive through the cat flap? Can soft-hearted Ellie get her beloved pet to change his wild ways before he ends up in even deeper trouble? The antics of Tuffy and his family are told by the killer cat himself.
French, Vivian.
Henny Penny. 2007. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
We all know the story of Henny Penny, the silly chicken who thinks the sky is falling in. Well, that is not the true story. No, that is a misrepresentation put about by foxes. This is the true story, and proves what we always knew in our hearts - chickens are heroes!
Funke, Cornelia
Saving Mississippi.2010. Suggested reading age 7+. 1v.
Emma loves to visit Grandma Dolly and her animal sanctuary in the summer holidays. At home, Emma isn't even allowed a guinea pig. Emma's grandmother is asked to take in Mississippi, the beloved horse of her friend who has passed away. Emma can't believe her luck when Grandma then gives her Mississippi - a horse of her own.
Gallico, Paul.
Jennie. 1950. Suggested reading age 9+. 2v.
For years eight-year-old Peter has wanted a cat. He knows every cat in the Square and has managed at times to smuggle one in for a day or so before it was discovered and swiftly removed. Now simply by dashing out in front of a coal lorry to rescue a stripey kitten, he seems to be turning into a cat and, of course, pushed out into the street himself. There is to be a good deal to learn...
Gleitzman, Morris.
Toad rage. 2000. Suggested reading age 9+. 1v.
Uncle Bart reckons humans don't hate cane toads but Lumpy knows they do. He embarks on a dangerous but funny quest to show humans how nice cane toads are.
Graham, Bob
How to heal a broken wing. 2010. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
When Will helps an injured bird, he learns that a little kindness can go a long way. No one in the city sees the bird lying on the pavement, its wing broken. No one but a small boy called Will. He and his mum carry it home and, with time, rest, and a little bit of hope, the wing mends... and they set the bird free to soar over the city once more.
Grahame, Kenneth.
The wind in the willows. 1908. Suggested age range 9+. 2v.
A book of sunshine, running water, woodlands, and the creatures that inhabit them, with such well-loved friends as Mole, Rat and Badger plus the incomparable Toad of Toad Hall.
Gravett, Emily.
Wolf won't bite! Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
Take your seat in the front row and watch in wonder as three cheeky little circus pigs make a wild wolf jump through hoops, endure feats of astounding derring-do, and even withstand perilous games of dress-up. Safe in the thought that wolf won't bite! They even put their heads between his jaws, but can you push a wolf too far?
Gray, Kes.
Daisy and the trouble with zoos. 2008. Suggested reading age 7+. 1v.
It's Daisy's birthday and she's having a special birthday treat! Mum has invited her best friends, Gabby and Dylan, on a trip to the zoo - and, best of all, Mum has arranged for Daisy to go into the actual penguin cage with the actual zoo keeper and feed actual penguins! Trouble is, Daisy doesn't just feed the penguins, she adopts one.
Gregg, Stacy.
Issie and the Christmas pony. 2008. Suggested age range 9+. 1v.
Issie had always wanted her very own pony, and perhaps this Christmas her wish would come true! Issie tells the story of how she first met Mystic - and how a little magic helped Issie and her
perfect pony to stay together for ever.
Grogan, John
A very Marley Christmas. 2008. Suggested age range 5+. 1v.
With all the excitement of Christmas approaching, it's no surprise that Marley, the loveable pup with a nose for trouble, wants to get in on the action.
Hawkins, E.
A monster of a hamster. 1997. Suggested age range 7+. 1v.
Luke and Anna-Louise take the class hamster home for holiday. Now it's missing and they are in big trouble!
Hay, Samantha
Archie : hero in training. 2011. Suggested reading age 7+. 1v.
Archie the puppy has been given a very special and important task. He has been picked to become a guide dog - helping a partially sighted child or grown-up to gain their independence and live a fuller life. But the training is tough and not all puppies will make the grade. Archie is determined to become a guide dog, but will he succeed?
Howker, Janni.
Badger on the barge: and other stories. 1987. Suggested reading age 11+. 2v.
Five short stories, each concerned with a significant encounter between two people. There is Miss Brady, who lives with a badger on a barge, Sally Beck, reliving her adventurous past, the Egg Man, a recluse, and Jakey, proudly independent on his boat.