Additional Resources
Author Bios
Galaxy of Whales
Heather Fawcett is a British‑Canadian author best known for her middle grade novel Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries and the newly released A Galaxy of Whales, published June 17, 2025. Her latest book combines emotional storytelling with themes of grief, friendship, and whale‑watching adventure against stunning natural settings shakespeareandcompany.com+1gpattridge.com+1. Fawcett draws inspiration from real ecosystems and personal experiences to infuse her fiction with empathy and wonder.
Because of Winn Dixie
Kate DiCamillo (born March 25, 1964) is an American author of over 25 children’s books, including Because of Winn‑Dixie (2000), which earned a Newbery Honor and became a beloved classic and feature film loc.gov+15en.wikipedia.org+15goodreads.com+15. Her work often explores themes of loss, belonging, and redemption with gentle humor and deep heart, making her one of the few authors to have won two Newbery Medals amazon.com+15britannica.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15. She currently resides in Minneapolis and continues to publish acclaimed middle grade novels that resonate with both young readers and adults en.wikipedia.org.
Because of the Rabbit
Cynthia Lord is a Newbery Honor–winning author celebrated for writing books about difference, belonging, and empathy, including Because of the Rabbit (2019). In this story, Emma navigates fifth grade uncertainty after adopting a rescue rabbit and forging a connection with an energetic classmate, all while learning about friendship and self‑acceptance . Lord often draws from her background growing up with a sibling on the autism spectrum, bringing authenticity and warmth to her characters and themes.
Song for a Whale
Lynne Kelly is an award‑winning sign language interpreter and author, currently based near Houston, who writes emotionally driven middle grade fiction. Her novel Song for a Whale (2019) follows Iris, a Deaf girl who builds a unique bond with a real whale and sets out on a journey across Alaska that explores communication, loneliness, and belonging hearmeoutcc.com+11amazon.com+11youtube.com+11. Kelly’s experience working within the Deaf community gives her stories an authentic voice and heartfelt depth .
National Geographic Kids Funny Fillin
National Geographic Kids is the collective creative team behind this humor‑packed activity book containing puns, jokes, fill‑in prompts, and animal facts designed for young readers. The brand is renowned for blending entertainment with education in its books and digital content, aimed at inspiring curiosity and laughter through nature and science storytelling . Its joke books have become global favorites in classrooms and homes alike.
Laugh Out Loud Animal Jokes for Kids
Rob Elliott is the best-selling author of the Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids series, which has sold over 5 million copies worldwide. Known for his clean, family-friendly humor, Elliott began writing jokes to entertain his own children and quickly became a favorite among young readers, parents, and teachers alike. He lives in Michigan with his wife and five children, where he continues to write books that bring joy and giggles to kids of all ages.
How to Speak Animal
Aubre Andrus is the author of How to Speak Animal, a beginner’s guide published in partnership with wildlife veterinarian Dr. Gabby Wild. The book offers an engaging, kid‑friendly approach to decoding animal communication—covering body language, sounds, and behaviors of pets and common wildlife using full‑color photographs and expert insights amazon.com+15amazon.com+15amazon.com+15. Andrus is an award‑winning children’s author who collaborates frequently with National Geographic and other major publishers to bring science and nature storytelling to young readers gpattridge.com.