#ReadItMD13 Theme Week - "All the Awesome Animals!"

Without a doubt, one type of book dominates our book collection at ReadItDaddy. This week we'll be looking at all the awesome animals, and the books they star in. From fictional fables, to true stories of animal derring-do, there'll be something for everyone. 

We thought we'd kick off with a few of Charlotte's favourites - favourite animals featuring in favourite animal-based children's books of course!

Charlotte would probably have a tough time choosing between our first two books and the animals who feature in them but with her it's all about the bunnies and the kittens. 

"The Stray Kitten" is a bit of a heart-wrencher, so make sure you are armed with plenty of tissues to sob into as you read the tale of a lost little kitten looking for a loving family. A kitten's life in the wild is fraught with danger, but little kitten digs deep to find bravery and courage and eventually someone spots the poor little mite and saves it from starvation. It's darkly tinged but definitely has a lovely ending. 

We wouldn't dare feature an animal round up on the blog without one very special bunny in particular. "Rabbityness" captured our hearts the moment we first laid eyes on the cover, and it only gets better from thereon in. It's a book that deals beautifully with a very tough subject of course, the subject of loss - but as the book celebrates life too, in particular the life of one very special artistic and wondrous bunny, we love the way it makes us feel happy, sad, then happy again. Don't take our word for it, I dare you to try and find a bad word spoken about this book, it's pretty much as perfect as it gets. 

From the sublime to the ridiculous. We love it when animals misbehave and there are so many books where animals arrive to teach us a lesson or two about good manners and decorum. 

In Leo Timmers' superb "I Am The King" we see what happens when animals find a crown lying around one day. Animal egos clash as each animal thinks they have a particular attribute that means they should rule over all others. 

Of course, being a big showoff, or having the loudest grunt or even the curliest tale isn't a good enough reason to be king. Humility and caring about others are far more 'royal' traits so dive into Leo's book to see who comes out on top. 

We've got lots of other animal books waiting in the wings to join us throughout the week so these are just a small taster to whet your appetite. Join us for our next article where we settle one of the biggest arguments in children's picture books - which are best, dog books or cat books?