James Herriot's Treasury for Children: Warm and Joyful Tales by the Author of All Creatures Great and Small

Written by James Herriot

Narrated by Jim Dale

Children have always found a delightful friend in James Herriot. His award-winning stories for young readers bring the farmyard world of Herriot's Yorkshire to vibrant life. Featuring a host of adorable animals and colorful townsfolk, each of the stories is narrated by the country vet himself, with all of the warmth, caring, and good humor that have made James Herriot beloved the world over.

Here, in James Herriot's Treasury for Children, we find all of his books for children collected in one beautiful volume. From the springtime frolic of Oscar, Cat-About-Town to the yuletide warmth of The Christmas Day Kitten, these stories—radiantly illustrated by Peter Barrett and Ruth Brown—are perennial favorites, and this new complete edition will make a wonderful gift for all readers, great and small.

Taken together, these stories comprise a wondrous Herriot menagerie, a family treasure that will be passed, with joy and affection, from generation to generation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Jul 22, 2008
• ISBN: 9781427205254

James Herriot

James Herriot (1916–1995) was the pen name of James Alfred “Alf” Wight, an English veterinarian whose tales of veterinary practice and country life have delighted generations. Many of Herriot’s works—including All Creatures Great and Small, All Things Bright and Beautiful, All Things Wise and Wonderful, The Lord God Made Them All, and Every Living Thing—became international bestsellers and have been adapted for film and television. Herriot’s stories rely on numerous autobiographical elements taken from his life in northern England’s Yorkshire County, and they depict a simple, rustic world deeply in touch with the cycles of nature.

Reviews for James Herriot's Treasury for Children

[jm 10u21 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful collection and a great narrator too, kids loved this one!

[Sarah Varnell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

We love James Herriot and All Creatures! These stories are great for my Kindergartners.

[wunderlong88-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the reasons I enjoy children's books and reading them aloud is the escape from the crazy world, electronics and just badness of so much of society. James Herriot's Treasury for Children is one of my all time favorite children's books. I've had my copy since my oldest was very young (he's 27 now) and I still read it to my youngest (12). Bases on Herriot's real life experiences as a country vet in England in the 1930s-1940s, these charming, humorous and just wholesome stories take you back to a simpler time.

[Sandy Mac · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very good narrator. Made me smile and cry. Highly recommend!

[eurekas_5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nice collection of James Herriot stories. If you are a fan of the tv series these stories are the source of some of those episodes. It is lovely to read them and they would be excellent for children. There are two illustrators and both are very good. They capture the homespun flavor of the English countryside.

[elizajane_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is an omnibus edition of 8 of Herriot's children's picture books. I read it aloud to my 7yo and he enjoyed it, but I think I may have enjoyed the stories more than he. They are wonderful, touching stories with beautiful illustrations, especially the ones by Ruth Brown.

[amanda4242_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A gorgeous collection of Herriot's children's stories. The stories are nostalgic without being overly sentimental, and the language is simple enough for a child to understand but sophisticated enough to expand vocabularies. Brown's and Barrett's illustrations are sublime, with the Yorkshire Dales rendered in lush greens and animals so soft looking you'd think you could reach out and pet them.

[reader1009-863136 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Animal stories/nonfiction (on audio). I didn't particularly care for the narrator's voice right off the bat, but stuck it out through a few stories and he does a fair job, particularly with the voices of the old farmers. The stories were just meh for me--pretty much your standard Herriot fare (so if you like his stuff, you'll do fine). Keep in mind, though, if your kids are going to be listening to this, you may need to explain some things about the birthing/nursing processes (since those occur frequently enough in country vet stories).

[bookbrig-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love these stories, and hearing them read by Jim Dale is wonderful. This is a sweet collection, and if you're looking for something cozy to listen to I highly recommend it!

[wrightja2000 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Listened to audio version with the kids for bedtime stories. My seven year old enjoyed it and the younger ones listened without a peep. The narration is very clear and understandable. The stories are sweet and happy.

[ingrid98684 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I bought this second hand years ago, before my daughter was ready for it, so it sat on the shelf for ages. She picked it out as a bedtime story earlier this month. I read two or three chapters to her each night. Each story is tenderly told and the illustrations are winning. There were a number where I had a catch in my throat as I read, but the story about Blossom had me ugly crying. My daughter didn't say much as I struggled to finish, tears streaming down my cheeks. All is well in the end, of course. :). I loved his books growing up and was touched by this collection of gentle tales.

[momma2_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Blake said he would like to rate this 30 stars he liked it so much. And the book has inspired him to go into the veterinary field. Sweet stories and beautiful illustrations.

[annedenney · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is one of our absolute favorites. The illustrations are wonderful, the language is excellent, and I have a catch in my throat while reading at one point or another in each and every story. I'd say this collection of stories is a must on every child's bookshelf.

[tjsjohanna_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Gleaned from Mr. Herriot's books about his experiences as a vet, these stories are especially appealing to children. Mr. Herriot's ability to capture the tenderness and love that people and animals share is a great gift.

[dennis383 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely wonderful collection of short tales featuring cats, dogs, horses, cows and lambs, as well as some animals of the two-legged variety. James Herriot's stories have charmed readers for decades and this short collection, ostensibly for children, is no exception. The real pleasure in this audiobook collection is the storytelling skill of reader Jim Dale. All the human characters in the stories are presented in a unique voice, whether it's an aging woman visited by a stray cat at Christmas, a gruff old farmer entering his old work horse in a "best pet" contest in the local village, a young boy whose pet lamb goes missing and is later found by a young girl, or an old dairyman, forced to part with his oldest cow when she can no longer produce enough milk to earn her keep. Dale's evocative voice superbly captures the warmth and character of the village and farm dwellers and their connections with their animals. Suitable for anyone who enjoys animals and good storytelling.

[mereyom · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a warm, cozy book of short stories, beautifully illustrated. It makes this area of Yorkshire, England seem like the homiest place on earth, and the animals part of the goodness of life. Recommended.

[hamburgerclan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This one's a beautifully illustrated collection of animal stories. Or is it farmer stories? I don't know. The thing is you have short stories containing both people and animals. It's cute, it's warmhearted and 'twas a pleasure to read. Check it out and share it with the little ones in your life.
--J.