Book excerpt: Animals -- enter their magic kingdom. From cuddly puppies to ferocious lions and every beast in between, children are forever drawn to animals and to stories about their adventures. And who better to tell these stories than authors who have won the John Newbery Medal for distinguished contributions to literature for children. This collection of animal tales is a treat for the whole family. It includes stories by authors today's children know and love, from Beverly Cleary and Betsy Byars to Lloyd Alexander and Virginia Hamilton. There are also stories by writers familiar to parents and grandparents, from Elizabeth Coatsworth to Robert Lawson and Will James. You'll find stories about zoo animals, wild animals, ranch animals, and pets. Animals that can talk and sing as well as bark, caw, buzz, and roar. There's a crow, a camel, a crusty crocodile, lions and wolves as well as cats and dogs, and much more. Perfect for both reading aloud and reading alone, this is a collection to bring to the beach, pack in the picnic basket, or read in the car. Classtime, storytime, bedtime, or anytime, this is a book to share. A portion of the royalties from this book will be donated to the American Library Association, administrator of the John Newbery Medal.