Ben and the Porcupine

A parent might reach for this book when their child is experiencing anxiety about a pet's safety or is worried about a wild animal encounter. After his dog Ben has a painful run-in with a porcupine, a young boy named Christopher is overwhelmed with fear. The porcupine lives nearby, and Christopher's worry for his dog's safety consumes him. This gentle story validates a child's big feelings of fear and demonstrates a beautiful shift from anger to empathy. It models how understanding an animal's needs, rather than reacting with aggression, can lead to a clever and compassionate solution. For children ages 6 to 8, it’s a perfect story to open conversations about respecting wildlife and managing fear for loved ones.