Pat Schmatz, author of Mrs. Estronsky and the U.F.O., suggests this list of books for those who enjoy reading about animals. They're great for reading alone or reading out loud.

My Friend Flicka — Mary O'Hara

Ken McLaughlin moves from the world of dream animals to fall in love with a living horse, and the story has all of the tragedy, drama and triumph that comes when you risk your heart by engaging in the real world.

Gentle Ben — Walt Morey

For anyone who ever struggled to measure up to a parent's difficult expectations, this is an inspirational book about finding one's own strength and power through the love for an animal.

Because of Winn-Dixie — Kate DiCamillo

Winn-Dixie is the dog everyone wants to bring home from the grocery store, and he's only the first of a cast of unforgettable characters. The laugh I got from the description of Winn-Dixie crawling up on the couch put this book solidly in my list of favorites.

Beautiful Joe — Marshall Saunders

This was my favorite book for years. Such a satisfying story of justice and the triumph of good over evil!

Charlotte's Web — E.B. White

This book is the stuff dreams are made of, and it's one of the best read-aloud stories ever. There is nothing like the magic of a barnyard full of animal friends, and what is – or might be – said if we are willing to listen.

Black Beauty — Anna Sewell

Reading Black Beauty for the first time gave me a whole different perspective on the human world and how it might look to the animals in our lives. An excellent read, it provided me with the original definition for "compassion."

Old Yeller — Fred Gipson

Classic. The ugly yeller dog is a canine hero like no other.

Ginger Pye — Eleanor Estes

This book is good old-fashioned fun with a really smart dog, an unsavory character, and unexpected quirks. The danger never gets too dangerous, but the mystery keeps you turning the pages.

Blitz — Hetty Burlingame Beatty

Blitz, the famous fire horse, goes all the way to the bottom and then rises again. This is an easy read and a page-turner for horse lovers.

The Yearling — Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

The story of a boy and his tame fawn is incredibly satisfying and emotionally rich on many levels. The writing is beautiful, and the story packs all of the joy and heartbreak of growing up.