Summer Reading Lists: Cats, Dogs and Horses

Summer reading is a valuable part of the education process. Reading books during long vacations keeps developing brains primed for learning and nurtures the natural curiosity that children possess.

Reading underscores lessons learned in the previous school year and can help remediate issues for reluctant readers. Exposure to new books expands vocabulary and hones thinking skills that will take students to the next level of learning.

Just in time for summer, Big Universe has compiled some age-leveled book lists, as well as assorted topical book lists that will make summer reading easy to assign. Students can tackle one or more lists to complete, or they can pick and choose various featured Big Universe titles, logging reading minutes as they go.

Simply go to Big Universe’s “Read” page, find the “Browse or Search for Books” sidebar, and click on the “Summer Reading Lists” tab to get a drop-down list. Themes include: Animals, Chapter Books, Cultures, Humor, Nature, Science and Sports.

Book Lists for the Animal Lover

I have compiled some additional topic-specific book lists from Big Universe’s online library for youngsters who are gaga over animals – specifically cats, dogs and horses. I was enthralled by creatures from the time I was a toddler, and I know that this particular interest was a stepping stone into the world of literature.

Children’s Books About Cats

• The Life Cycle of a Cat – Interest Level: Age 6-8
• Cats – Interest Level: Age 6-8
• Exotic Cats – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Sharing Snowy – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Persian Cats – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Kittens – Interest Level: Age 3-6
• Ragdoll Cats – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Maine Coon Cats – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Abyssinian Cats – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Caring for Your Cat – Interest Level: Age 5-13
• Siamese Cats – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Big Cat, Little Kitty – Interest Level: Age 6-8
• The Big Cat – Interest Level: Age 3-8
• Where is the Big Cat – Interest Level: Age 3-8
• The Big Hungry Cat – Interest Level: Age 3-8
• A Good Hat for a Cat – Interest Level: Age 0-5
• Where Can Louis Sleep – Interest Level: Age 3-8
• The Old Gumbie Cat – Interest Level: 6-12 (Read-aloud)

Children’s Books About Dogs

• Dogs – Interest Level: Age 3-8
• Good Dog, Aggie – Interest Level: Age 3-8
• Measuring at the Dog Show – Interest Level: Age 6-8
• Caring for Your Dog – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• German Shepherds – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Siberian Huskies – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• The Littlest Sled Dog – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Dalmatians – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Sea Dog – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Bulldogs – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• A Puppy is for Loving – Interest Level: Age 6-8
• Rottweilers – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Poodles – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• The Littlest One – Interest Level: Age 6-8
• Doberman Pinschers – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Dog Scouts of America – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Beagles – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Newton and Me – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Golden Retrievers – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Pound Dog and Frog – Interest Level: Age 0-8
• West Highland White Terriers – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• To Have a Dog – Interest Level: Age 6-8
• It’s a Dog’s World – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Puppies – Interest Level: Age 3-8
• Saint Bernards – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Chihuahuas – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Shih Tzus – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Collies – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Mutts – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Cocker Spaniels (Rourke) – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Cocker Spaniels (Bellwether) – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• The Life Cycle of a Dog – Interest Level: Age 6-8
• Labradoodles – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Weimaraners – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Boxers – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Labrador Retrievers – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Champ’s Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too! – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Yorkshire Terriers – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Maltese – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Duffy & the Dog-Walking Business – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Shetland Sheepdogs – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• The Quiet Woman and the Noisy Dog – Interest Level: Age 0-8
• Dachshunds – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Hollywood Dogs – Interest Level: Age 6-12

Children’s Books About Horses

• Horses – Interest Level: Age 9-12
• Working Horses – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Show Horses – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Police Horses – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Hollywood Horses – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Horses – Interest Level: Age 3-8
• Caring for Your Horse – Interest Level: Age 6-12
• Rodeo Bronc Riders – Interest Level: Grade 4-8
• The Rodeo – Interest Level: Age 9-12
• Rodeo Ropers – Interest Level: Grade 4-8
• Rodeo Barrel Racing – Interest Level: Grade 4-8
• Pony Express – Interest Level: Age 9-12
• Cowboy Slim – Interest Level: Age 9-12

3 Comments

• Melissa Edwards says:

  May 26, 2011 at 3:33 am

  Wow! What a great list about topics that are my daughter’s favorite! Thanks so much!
• A Swarm of Bug Books at Big Universe | Big Universe Learning - Blog says:

  May 26, 2011 at 10:58 am

  [...] Summer Reading Lists: Cats, Dogs and Horses [...]
• Suzan Woodard says:

  June 6, 2011 at 2:24 pm

  You are welcome, Melissa. It was fun compiling these summer reading lists, but of course reading is best when done year-round! Let me know which of these animal books becomes your daughter’s favorite. – S