Janette Oke's Animal Friends Series

Janette Oke is not only a wonderful adult Christian fiction writer, but has also written some wonderful books with Christian themes for children. Her book series titled "Janette Oke's Animal Friends" would be a wonderful addition to your children's library. Each story beautifully illustrates how God uses people and animals to minister to those in need. These stories will inspire your children to think of the needs of others and to ask how God might want to use them to help someone else. These books are not new, but are definitely worth posting about since they are so beautifully written.

The "review" listed with each book came from Christian Book Distributor's web-site. We have read many of the books in this series, but not all of them, so I thought it best to provide the "review" given by CBD rather than my own for each book. Ordinarily I do not post book reviews on my site that I do not write myself, but in this case I am making an exception. I trust that that books that we have not read in this series will be as good as the books that we have read, and I hope that you will find these books to be as inspiring for your children as they have been for mine.

Spunky's Diary, Animal Friends Series #1 By Janette Oke / Bethany Spunky is like most other puppies--curious and frisky, and always creating mischief. Even though he stumbles into trouble a lot, he still manages to warm his way into the hearts of his family. They can't help but love their silly dog. But one day, Spunky's curiosity leads to serious danger, and he finds himself far from home with no hope of getting back. Will his family find him in time? It takes a lesson in obedience to teach Spunky that rules are not meant to be broken. Recommended for ages 6 to 10.

The Prodigal Cat, Animal Friends Series #2 By Janette Oke / Bethany Mittens is sure there is no other cat as wonderful as she. She's smart, beautiful, and very proud of herself. So it's no surprise when Mittens decides she can manage just fine on her own. But without a caring family to take care of her, Mittens learns the hard way she can't do everything herself. What will it take for Mittens to realize it's okay to depend on others? Can she humble herself and learn to let others help her? Recommended for ages 6 to 10.

The Impatient Turtle, Animal Friends Series #3 By Janette Oke / Bethany Pogo had one goal in life--to have fun. New thrills, new excitement, he wanted it all. But Pogo also had a problem. Because he was a turtle, he couldn't do most of the fun and exciting things he saw those lucky boys doing who visited his pond. And this made Pogo very angry. Angry, that is, until he discovered why he was made like he was. Then, being a turtle didn't seem so bad. In fact, it was kind of special. Recommended for ages 6 to 10.

New Kid In Town, Animal Friends Series #5 By Janette Oke / Bethany Out for a walk one day, Fuzzle is separated from his family. Alone for the first time in his life, he must find his own food and a place to sleep. If only he could get some help from the other animals in the forest.... When he tries to make friends, though, no one will speak to him, and he doesn't know why. All he wants is someone to play with. But what Fuzzle doesn't know is that God gave him a secret weapon--one that will make him a hero if he can discover it in time. Recommended for ages 6 to 10.

Ducktails, Animal Friends Series #6 By Janette Oke / Bethany Quackery and his duckling brothers and sisters are very busy learning the ins and outs of being a duck--how to swim, where to eat, and how to steer clear of danger. They're anxious to grow up and know all there is to know--especially his brother Zackery. Then Zackery and a friend decide to quit listening to their parents. When they head off to explore where it's not safe, Quackery doesn't know what to do. Will Quackery have to choose between doing the right thing or being with his friends? Recommended for ages 6 to 10.

Maury Had a Little Lamb, Animal Friends Series #9 By Janette Oke / Bethany Poor Shandy. His mother already has two lambs and can't take care of another. That means he'll be bottle-fed--and live in the farmhouse with the people! Shandy loves his new family, especially the boy Maury, who takes such good care of him. Soon Shandy is too big to stay in the house. And outside, he finds all sorts of mischief to get into. But when he tries to make friends, the other sheep want nothing to do with him. Shandy just wants to be with others like him. Will he ever belong?

A Cote of Many Colors, Animal Friends #11 By Janette Oke / Bethany Mark and Timmie's landlord has a whole loft of prize-winning homing pigeons, but the gruff man said "absolutely no pets" when he rented the small house to the boys' mother. So Mark and Timmie can only watch from across the fence and wish they had a pet of their own. But what will happen when their landlord is hospitalized and can't care for his pigeons? How will Blue Boy and the other pigeons survive without the watchful eye and care of their owner? Will the boys' dream for their very own pet ever come true? Recommended for ages 6 to 10.

Who's New At the Zoo?, Animal Friends #12 By Janette Oke / Bethany Barnaby is the youngest gorilla in his troop and the first born in Roxbury Zoo, making him a hit with zoo visitors. The sign outside his den announces that Barnaby is "Number One!" Between adventures with his brother and special attention from just about everyone, Barnaby thinks life is perfect. But when another baby gorilla arrives, Barnaby's sign is replaced with one for her. On top of that, she seems to steal his spotlight. What will make Barnaby special when he's no longer what draws the crowds? Recommended for ages 6 to 10.

Other titles in this series (available through Amazon)

This Little Pig



Prairie Dog Town



Trouble in a Fur Coat



Pordy's Prickly Problem



Blessings,
Missy