Books About Animals

Margarita with her search and rescue dogs, Chance (yellow Lab) and Maggi (Aussie/heeler cross).

FEBRUARY 2023: DESTINY FINDS HER WAY
How a Rescued Baby Sloth Learned to be Wild

Explore the Costa Rican rainforest with Destiny, a rescued orphan baby sloth who must learn to return to the wild, in this heartwarming true story from Newbery Honor winner Margarita Engle and photographer Sam Trull.
Destiny must learn to be strong and confident after she loses the use of one of her eyes. Without her mother to protect her or teach her, Destiny is found and taken to a rescue center in Costa Rica. The little sloth soon befriends other orphaned sloths. Her poor eyesight, however, makes it hard for her to keep her balance. Eventually Destiny begins to use all of her senses to explore the world around her. But can she learn to climb? Can she master the other skills she needs to survive on her own? And will Destiny be brave enough to return to her wild, forest home?

More information available through National Geographic Kids.

A DOG NAMED HAKU
A Holiday Story from Nepal

It's the Festival of Lights in Nepal, and today is the day to honor dogs! Brothers Alu and Bhalu wander the streets of Kathmandu, passing by twirling kites and bamboo swings, looking for a dog to feed. But as night falls, their task begins to feel hopeless, until they spot a small black dog who is in need of a friend.
This sweet story presents an important Hindu holiday through the eyes of two young boys, making it relatable for both those familiar with the holiday and those reading about it for the first time.

Honors:

• Core Mosaic Program Selection, New York City Dept. of Education

ORANGUTANKA
A Story in Poems

Released in March 2015, this picture book tells an exuberant orangutan celebration written in bold poems in the tanka style.

This book was inspired by Margarita's visit to a wildlife refuge in the Malaysian part of Borneo. A portion of royalties will go to the Orangutan Legacy Forest on the Indonesian side of Borneo.

Book trailer for Orangutanka by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Renee Kurilla

Honors:

• 2016 Bank Street Best Books of the Year
• NCTE Notable Poetry Book
• 2015 Cybils Award Nominee
• Booklist review here

TINY RABBIT'S BIG WISH

Margarita's new animal-themed picture book for young children was released in March 2014 by Harcourt.

The Japanese edtion of the book is published by Iwasaki.

The official book trailer for Tiny Rabbit's Big Wish

Honors:

• Nominee for the 2015-2016 Florida Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award.

WHEN YOU WANDER
A Search-and-Rescue Dog Story

Margarita's new dog-themed picture book for young children is available in stores now.

This cozy story gently teaches children what to do if they lose their way, and reassures them that a search-and-rescue dog can find them wherever they are. And once a child is found, the dog will bring people to make sure that everyone gets home safe and sound.

Full of interesting facts about search-and-rescue dogs and tips for young children in case they get lost, When You Wander is a fascinating peek into the world of these amazing dogs and the children they save.

Click here to order a copy of the book.

MOUNTAIN DOG

Margarita's dog-themed chapter book in verse for 8 to 12 year old readers, is available in stores now. It is an expanded version of Margarita's Trail Magic story in the Because of Shoe anthology.

When Tony’s mother is sent to jail, he is sent to stay with a great uncle he has never met in Sierra Nevada. It is a daunting move—Tony’s new world bears no semblance to his previous one. But slowly, against a remote and remarkable backdrop, the scars from Tony’s troubled past begin to heal.

With his Tió and a search-and-rescue dog named Gabe by his side, he learns how to track wild animals, is welcomed to the Cowboy Church, and makes new friends at the Mountain School. Most importantly though, it is through Gabe that Tony discovers unconditional love for the first time, in Mountain Dog by Margarita Engle.

Read excerpt from the book.

The official book trailer for Mountain Dog

Honors:

• Children's Book Council's 2020 Reading Beyond Advanced Reader List
• 12 Novels in Verse That Get Kids Reading, ImaginationSoup.net
• Children's Book Council 2017-2018 Reading Beyond list
• 2017 Grand Canyon Readers Award Nominee
• 2017 North Carolina Book Award Nominee
• NYC Reads 365 Fifth Grade Reading List
• South Carolina Book Award Nominee
• Virginia Reader's Choice List
• 2016 Master List for Illinois' Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award
• Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List, 2015-2016
• Americas Latino Book Award by the Americas Latino Eco-Festival
• Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year 2014 for 9-12, Adventures and Mystery category
• Junior Library Guild Selection
• Winner of the Mock Newbery Award at Sunrise Elementary School, Aurora, CO
• Mountain Dog has been named a 2014-2015 Georgia Book Award Nominee.
• Winner of the Mock Newbery Award at Mount Kisco Elementary School in Mt. Kisco, NY
• Cybils Award 2013 nominee for Middle Grade Fiction
• Parent's Choice Award Silver Honor in Fiction
• Kirkus Best Book of the Year for 2013