Helping teachers inspire compassion for animals, people & the environment

Animals in Literature

AnimalTales

Online Resources

Inspiring Empathy, Building Literacy

Request AnimalTales!

Program Update

AnimalTales has been updated to reflect the new Social Studies curriculum for the 2025-2026 school year. Fine Arts connections will be updated in the future once the Programs of Study are finalized. Grade 4-6 teachers who will not be using the new Social Studies curriculum will have the option of requesting the version of AnimalTales that is connected to the old Social Studies curriculum.

What is AnimalTales?

AnimalTales is a FREE book lending program created for Alberta Elementary School Teachers who want to foster empathy, respect, and a sense of responsibility for animals, people, and the environment. Through cross-curricular activities, a variety of concepts are addressed including caring for animals, people, and the environment; developing positive relationships; communication and conflict resolution; responding to bullying; and understanding and appreciating differences.

AnimalTales has been featured in publications such as the Canadian Teachers’ Magazine.

Each grade specific AnimalTales package contains:

  • Four picture books
  • Teacher’s Guide that contains discussion questions and pre- and post-reading activities that are tied to the Alberta Programs of Study
  • Student activity sheets
  • Group activity material
  • Online resources

The package is delivered right to your school and you will have four weeks to use the materials.

Teachers who complete AnimalTales will receive a class set of bookmarks!

Grade Descriptions

Kindergarten
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 6

Watch this video to discover why empathy is important to foster in students and how AnimalTales can help!

Literature and Character Building

Learn more about the connection between literature and character building and how AnimalTales can help.

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AnimalTales

Study

The Alberta SPCA commissioned a study to learn more about the range and nature of the effectiveness of the AnimalTales program.

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AnimalTales

FAQ

Have a question about AnimalTales? Check out the frequently asked questions to find an answer.

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"I always tell teachers how awesome the program is for promoting empathy. I always make sure they know how convenient the program is and that it is aligned with the curriculum." - Grade 3 teacher, Edmonton
"Creating empathy and kindness toward all living things is so important. Beginning conversations about these topics when children are young is key. This program offers an easy way to launch such a study and then do a build on so the learning continues on through the rest of your year." - Kindergarten teacher, Edmonton
"The program helped my students not only showcase and experience empathy, but it also helped them show responsibility and leadership." - Grade 5, Edmonton
"The materials are well organized, easy to use, and there are options to pick and choose what works best with each class!" - Kindergarten teacher, La Crete
"Great content, easy to use, planning is done for you, and kids were engaged!" - Grade 3, Wainwright
"[AnimalTales is] well laid out and was a great cross curricular resources." - Grade 1, Heinsburg

AnimalTales Request Form

Note: We will attempt to provide the program as close to this time as possible. You will receive an email confirmation verifying the availability of the program.

NOTE: Teachers can request one package for one time period. Multiple packages can not be sent to one teacher at the same time.

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