What books were a part of your childhood? Without even realizing it, animal fantasy most likely made up over half of your library. In today’s society many textbooks won’t even recognize them anymore. There is a way to pick out ones with a deeper meaning for your students, and that’s what I’m here to talk to you about today.
There are four category’s that make up Animal Fantasy:
Type 1: Anthropomorphic Animals.They are the books where the characters live in an all animal world.
Type 2: Anthropomorphic Animals. These are the books that animals coexist with humans.
Type 3: Talking animals in their natural habitats.
Type 4: Realistic animals with human thinking ability.
Using those four categories will help you fill your classroom library with books that get your class’ attention, yet still appropriate and educational. Even though textbooks don’t recognize “animal fantasy” anymore, many teachers still find it important to give students the opportunity to experience what many of us filled our childhood with. Students are obsessed with these types of books and will almost always choose them if they get the chance, it is a great way to increase the reading level and give them a lot of practice.
Have you ever heard of “The Hungry Hungry Caterpillar”, “The Grouchy Ladybug”, and “Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?”? You probably have, and I found a great link to a bunch of those awesome favorites from Eric Carle! These are great examples of animal fantasy that you find many teachers filling their libraries with.
Hayley's Classroom 