Our Animal Neighbors Compassion for Every Furry, Slimy, Prickly Creature on Earth

Winner of the Moonbeam Children's Animals/Pets Non-Fiction Gold Medal!

A story about the fundamental connection between animals and people and how we can treat all of Earth's creatures with compassion and empathy.

Furry polar bears, playful sea otters, slow sloths, prickly porcupines, and slimy snakes are just a few of the many animals we share our world with. And even though we might not look the same or have the same needs as our animal neighbors, we have more in common with them than we might think. Our Animal Neighbors introduces children to the importance of treating all animals with the care and compassion they deserve. We all want to experience love, safety, and respect and this book is the first step to instilling those values at an early age. This planet is our home, and we should all be free to live a prosperous life regardless of whether we have hands, hooves, scales, or fur.


“A serious message delivered with humor, simplicity, and charm makes this book an excellent purchase for families that value open-ended discussions. Also a good resource for classrooms and libraries that welcome diverse opinions and points of view.”—School Library Journal

MATTHIEU RICARD is a Buddhist monk who had a promising career in cellular genetics before leaving France to study Buddhism in the Himalayas thirty-seven years ago. He is a best-selling author, translator, and photographer, and an active participant in current scientific research on the effects of meditation on the brain. He lives in Nepal and dedicates much of his time to humanitarian projects in the Himalayas through his nonprofit organization Karuna-Shechen.
JASON GRUHL is the former Executive Director and Founder of The Joshua School (a school for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental Disabilities in Boulder and Denver, CO), and as an educational consultant, he impacts the lives of countless children and adults. Jason holds a master's degree in Counseling Psychology and a bachelor's degree in English and Psychology, is a Buddhist, and dedicates his life to self-discovery through meditation and reflection.
BECCA HALL is an illustrator based in the Lake District, England. Her work appears across the United Kingdom on stationery and giftware, and in children's books.