Jill Tomlinson's Favourite Animal Tales 7 Books Collection Set - Ages 5-7 - Paperback

Titles in This Set
The Penguin Who Wanted to Find Out
The Hen Who Wouldn't Give Up
The Otter Who Wanted to Know
The Gorilla Who Wanted to Grow Up
The Cat Who Wanted to Go Home
The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark
The Aardvark Who Wasn't Sure

Details
Condition: Brand New
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780603575549
Publisher: Egmont
Age Range: Ages 5-7 (Kindergarten-Grade 2)

Overview
This seven-book paperback set gathers Jill Tomlinson's best-loved animal tales into one delightful bundle for young readers ages 5-7. From a barn owl afraid of the dark to a determined hen and a curious sea otter, each story pairs gentle humor with warm, simple language perfect for read-aloud time or early independent reading. Brand new and packaged together, this collection makes a ready-made home library that's ideal for bedtime routines, classroom shelves, or as a thoughtful gift for any young animal lover starting their reading journey.

About the Books
Jill Tomlinson's animal stories have charmed young readers for decades, and this collection brings together seven of her most cherished titles in one paperback set. Each book follows a young animal protagonist — a penguin chick, a determined hen, an inquisitive otter, a gorilla, a cat, an owl, and an aardvark — as they navigate small but meaningful challenges: learning new skills, facing fears, or simply figuring out who they are. Tomlinson's writing balances gentle humor with genuine warmth, and her stories never talk down to children, instead treating their worries and curiosities with real respect. The best-known title, The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark, follows Plop the barn owl as he slowly learns that the dark isn't so frightening after all, a story that has comforted generations of children at bedtime. The other six titles carry the same reassuring tone, following animal heroes as they persevere, ask questions, and grow more confident in themselves and their world. Illustrated with simple, expressive artwork, these stories are ideal for children just moving into chapter books, offering short, digestible tales that build reading stamina without overwhelming new readers. Parents and teachers have long relied on this collection to spark conversations about courage, patience, and self-discovery, making it a mainstay of home libraries, primary school classrooms, and bedtime shelves alike. Together, the seven stories form a comforting, character-driven introduction to reading for pleasure.

Key Benefits

• Seven complete stories in one brand-new paperback collection
• Short chapters perfect for read-aloud time and early independent reading
• Gentle themes of courage, patience, and curiosity in every book
• Ideal for ages 5-7 (Kindergarten-Grade 2) transitioning into chapter books
• A ready-made home library or classroom set for animal-loving kids
• Makes a thoughtful birthday, holiday, or back-to-school gift

Book-by-Book Guide
The Penguin Who Wanted to Find Out — Otto, a curious penguin chick in Antarctica, must learn to swim and dive as he discovers what it means to grow up in the icy wild.
The Hen Who Wouldn't Give Up — Hilda, a small speckled hen, refuses to let setbacks stop her as she sets off on a determined journey to visit her aunt.
The Otter Who Wanted to Know — Pat the sea otter splashes through riverside adventures, asking endless questions and testing new ideas along the way.
The Gorilla Who Wanted to Grow Up — Young gorilla Pongo watches his father and dreams of becoming brave and clever, learning patience along the path to growing up.
The Cat Who Wanted to Go Home — Suzy, a striped French cat, is swept away in a hot air balloon and must find her way back home across the water.
The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark — Plop the baby barn owl is afraid of the dark until new friends help him see nighttime in a whole new light.
The Aardvark Who Wasn't Sure — Pim the baby aardvark isn't sure what being an aardvark even means, so he sets out to find out for himself.

About the Author
Jill Tomlinson (1931-1976) was a British author who never intended to become a writer. She trained as an opera singer, but after illness intervened, she took a journalism course and decided within three lessons that she wanted to write for children instead. Her first story was rejected by sixteen publishers before finding a home, and she went on to write a beloved series of animal tales, including her best-known work, The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark, published in 1968. Tomlinson kept writing even after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, relying on family and friends for research help.

Why You'll Love This Collection
Seven timeless animal tales in one brand-new paperback set make this a perfect birthday gift, stocking stuffer, or classroom library addition. Gentle, funny, and reassuring, these stories are made for bedtime reading, summer reading lists, or any young reader ready to fall in love with chapter books.

Please Note: This is the UK edition with the ISBN as listed; the cover may vary slightly from the image shown.