Yann Martel's best animal storybooks for kids
What's the story
Yann Martel is best known for his imaginative tales that blur the lines between reality and fantasy, as seen through the eyes of animals. His stories are so engaging that it gets the young readers thinking deep thoughts about life and relationships. Here are Martel's fascinating animal tales that will spark imagination and curiosity in your kids.
Adventure
'Life of Pi': A journey with a tiger
Life of Pi tells the story of a young boy named Pi, who survives a shipwreck and ends up on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. The tale explores themes of survival, friendship, and the human-animal bond. The narrative challenges readers to think about where reality ends and imagination begins as Pi embarks on his extraordinary journey across the ocean.
Friendship
'Beatrice & Virgil': A donkey and monkey tale
In Beatrice & Virgil, Martel takes readers on a journey with Beatrice the donkey and Virgil the monkey. The plot develops as the two characters set off on an adventure where they get into philosophical discussions about the complexities of life. The story would have young readers thinking about empathy, understanding and companionship in an engaging manner.
Exploration
'The High Mountains of Portugal': An unusual quest
This novel weaves three interlocking tales set across three different time periods in Portugal. One of the portions focuses on a strange quest that involves a chimpanzee named Odo who accompanies his human friend on an expedition through countryside. This portion encourages readers to explore themes such as grief, discovery, and the unexpected similarities between humans and animals.
Transformation
'Self': A unique perspective shift
In Self, although not completely about animals, there's a fascinating section where transformation plays a pivotal role in changing perspectives. This story component prompts young readers to consider identity from different perspectives. It also delves into how changes can create new definitions of oneself in different contexts, including our relationship with nature's creatures.