Looking for the ideal gift for an animal loving friend this Christmas? Just Google ‘’animal lover gifts’’ and a gazillion things will come up, from personalised pet phone cases and dachshund embossing rolling pins, to computer-animated martial arts comedy films like Kung Fu Panda and even animal-themed slot games.
As such, the sheer volume of animal-themed products can make it tricky to choose a gift, and it’s likely that your creature-loving pal has had their fair fill of animal-themed trinkets, posters, and calendars. What, then, to buy them? Enter an animal themed book.
Books, it could be argued plainly and simply, are ideal gifts. Not only can they can be thoughtful, they can also be thought-provoking. Books don’t go out of fashion, and is a gift your friend open again, and again, and again! Moreover, they are much easier to wrap than a awkward dog shaped lamp.
Google ”what books animal lovers should read?” and there will be thousands of lists. Unsurprisingly, most include classics like Watership Down by Richard Adams, Animal Farm by George Orwell, Of Wolves and Men by Barry Lopez, and, of course, Black Beauty by Anna Sewell. But we assume any self respecting animal lover has probably already read these.
If not, you have your present right there. But if so, here are five more great animal-themed books to give this Christmas that hopefully they won’t have already read!
Inside Of A Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, And Know by Alexandra Horowitz
Does your friend have a canine chum? Or are the considering getting one of these furry friends? Then Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know might be the ideal book for them.
The author, Alexandra Horowitz, is a leading expert in dog psychology, assessing how dogs operate in their world and ours, while also looking in great detail at how their minds work and how we can better connect with our pooch pals.
Fuzz: When Nature Breaks The Law by Mary Roach
Science writer Mary Roach is the author of five best-selling books, including Grunt, and Stiff, and, most recently, has done it again with Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law.
The book provides an interesting look at what exactly happens when animals buck the trend and embark on a journey of unusual behaviours, from bears dominating car-filled streets to populations of fish in waters that aren’t meant for them. As the world changes, so too do the habits of some of our favourite animals which, for Mary Roach, is something we need to pay more attention to.
Becoming Wild by Carl Safina
Animals come in all shapes and sizes, and generally do things differently all over the world. Becoming Wild by Carl Safina takes a detailed look at how animals are also cultural creatures that showcase different behaviours depending on their species. Some species, for example, are more democratic than others, while other animals tend to favour family relationships ahead of anything else. This truly fascinating read covers it all, with this focus on animal culture worth checking out.
The Inner Life Of Animals by Peter Wohlleben
Offering a detailed dive into animal behaviour and how different animals express feelings of emotion, The Inner Life of Animals by Peter Wohlleben is a beautiful read. Enabling someone to feel a deeper connection to creatures from the animal kingdom, it will also go some way to helping you to realise that animals aren’t all that different from us humans.
Animals In Translation by Temple Grandin and Catherine Johnson
A respected animal scientist who also has autism, Temple Grandin teamed with Catherine Johnson to produce this intriguing read on the similarities between animal behaviour and autism.
The book provides an in-depth look into a recent theory, helps associate the way people with autism think and the link with animal cognition, something that apparently enables those with autism to become more in tune with animals and the way they communicate.
And with that, we hope your animal-loving friend is spoiled with the gift of great reading this Christmas!