Good friends help each other, and the animal kingdom is full of good friends. Two animals that work together in a way that benefits both species have what’s called a symbiotic relationship. For example, think of a zebra on the African savannah and the oxpecker bird that often rides on its back. In this symbiotic relationship, the zebra benefits when the oxpecker bird flies above it and sounds an alarm when a predator is near. The oxpecker bird benefits when it eats bugs and parasites that are on the zebra’s body.
Animals that work together are fascinating to learn about, and they remind us of how interconnected the natural world is. Keep reading for a list of children’s books available at the Orem Library all about symbiotic animal relationships.
Picture Books
Anemone Is Not the Enemy
By Anna McGregor
Picture Book
Anemone lives alone in the rock pool. The tide comes in and the tide goes out. All Anemone wants is a friend, but friends are hard to make when you accidentally sting everyone who comes near you. Perhaps Clownfish has a solution to the problem.
Friends Stick Together
By Hannah E. Harrison
Picture Book
When a loud-mouthed tickbird lands on Mortimer the rhino’s nose and starts a symbiotic relationship, the reserved Mortimer is mortified, until he realizes they just might be the perfect pair.
I’ll Take Care of You
By Maria Loretta Giraldo
Picture Book
A tiny seed finds itself lost in the world, but with care from the Sky, Earth, and Sun it grows up to be a beautiful apple tree. When the tree meets a bird in need of help, it offers its branches as shelter and shows little readers the magic of being cared for and of taking care. This comforting tale celebrates the harmonious relationship between birds and trees, reveals the quiet wonder of our ecosystems, and helps little readers appreciate the care they receive from their family and friends every day. In return, children will learn that they can care for others too and cultivate empathy and kindness.
Junior Nonfiction
Just You and Me
By Jennifer Ward
Junior Nonfiction
A fascinating rhyming exploration of symbiosis: how different animals (and even some plants!) help each other in nature.
Weird Friends
By Jose Aruego
Junior Nonfiction
In the animal kingdom, you just can’t predict who will be friends with whom. One type of bird baby-sits for newborn crocodiles; there is a beetle that cleans a mouse’s house; and a certain fish leads blind shrimp through underwater traffic. In a world full of predators, the most unlikely creatures form alliances to help each other survive.
Although the ways in which these creatures interact might seem outlandish, their behavior is real animal nature. And kids will love learning about funny and fascinating animal friendships around the globe.
Symbiosis
By Alvin Silverstein
Junior Nonfiction
Discusses the three kinds of symbiosis—mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism—and describes examples of these relationships.
Written by Chelsea C. (Outreach)
