There is nothing like mommy and daddy, and brothers and sisters, to provide love and companionship. But close behind are the friendly variety of animals we embrace – fluffy cats and tiny puppies, among many other cute critters. With animals, there is never a shortage of love. Why this fascination with our furry friends? Aside from being so darn cute, in a slobbery way, animals can teach us about life – and ourselves. We have found four animal books that will do just that, as well as four more we highlight online at ocfamily.com.

"Who Lives in the Rainforest?" [Ages 1-4]
Presented by Animals of the Rainforest (Fisher-Price, hardcover, $6.99, 16 pages)
This well-done “lift the flaps” book gives newborns and toddlers an immediate appreciation of life outside the home. The book’s flaps, of course, allow the youngster to see more than what’s on the flat page. Here, he or she learns that elephants have floppy ears, that monkeys have curly tails and that tigers have stripes. This is a wonderful introduction to the animal kingdom in a simplified, colorful form.

"A Friend for All Seasons" [Ages 3-7]
By Julia Hubery and Mei Matsuoka (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, hardcover, $15.99, 26 pages)
Robbie Raccoon has a very good friend: Old Father Oak. Robbie was born in the trunk, and grew up in and around that trusty, old tree. However, like aging grandparents, trees grow old, too. In Old Father Oak’s case, he is losing his leaves, making him cold. Robbie devises a clever plan to keep the tree from getting too cold and saving his long life. It’s a story about unconditional love and how it manifests itself in many ways, seen and unseen.

"Bad Dog, Marley!" [Ages 4-8]
By John Grogan, illustrated by Richard Cowdrey (HarperCollinsPublishers, hardcover, $16.99, 36 pages)
Ever have a dog that likes to get into everything? That’s Marley. The happy family on Churchill Road has lots of little pets, and then they decide they need a dog. Oops, here comes Marley, right out of a cardboard box. Marley likes food on the table and water from the toilet. As he gets older, he gets even more mischievous. But mommy and daddy have had enough – it’s time for Marley to go. Sometimes, though, a bad Marley can become a good dog.

"Do Animals Have Feelings Too?" [Ages 5-9]
By David Rice; illustrated by Trudy Calvert (Dawn Publications,
softcover, $7.95, 32 pages)
This is a compassionate book that helps explain some of the golden rules of life – compassion, loyalty, devotion, and the like – through the lives of animals. This is very much a sharing book, as each two-page set explains a feeling word, gives real-life examples  and teaches lessons at a time when we all can use them. The pages on “democratic choices,” using the example of prairie dogs, is particularly relevant in an age when we think it’s all about us.

More book reviews online:
> "Donkey-Donkey"
> "This is the Sea that Feeds Us"
> "Whale"
> "Penguins"
Go to: ocfamily.com and click on Topics, then Books.