series Reading Order

Animal Ark Holiday Treasury Books in Order

18 Books
2000 – 2008 Published
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Reading order

How to Read the Animal Ark Holiday Treasury Series

The Animal Ark Holiday Treasury series (also known as the Animal Ark Holiday Specials) consists of seasonal adventures featuring young animal lover Mandy Hope and her best friend James Hunter. Because these stories are self-contained holiday rescues set in the fictional village of Welford, there is no strict chronological plot carrying over between books. You can safely read them in any order you like—whether you want to match the current season or follow them as they were published.

For readers who prefer a structured path, following the publication order is the most common approach. Below is the complete listing of the Holiday Treasury books based on their original release years.

Publication Order of Animal Ark Holiday Treasury Books

Here is the chronological publication order of the books included under the Holiday Treasury banner:

  1. The Animal Ark Treasury (2000)
  2. Dalmatian in the Daisies (2003)
  3. Bunny in a Basket (2004)
  4. Puppy in a Present (2004)
  5. Labrador on the Lawn (2005)
  6. Collie with a Card (2005)
  7. Husky with a Heart (2005)
  8. Beagle in a Backpack (2005)
  9. Racehorse in the Rain (2005)
  10. Pony in a Pumpkin Patch (2006)
  11. Kitten in the Candy Corn (2006)
  12. Stallion in Spooky Hollow (2007)
  13. Tabby Under the Tree (2007)
  14. Kitty in the Candy Hearts (2007)
  15. Spaniel in a Stocking (2007)
  16. Corgi in the Cupcakes (2008)
  17. Labrador in the Leaves (2008)
  18. Poodle in the Pansies (2008)

Understanding the Author Credits and Pseudonyms

The authorship of the Animal Ark universe can be slightly confusing for collectors. In the United Kingdom, the books are credited to the pseudonym Lucy Daniels. In the United States, they are typically published under the name of the series creator, Ben M. Baglio. In reality, the books were written by a collaborative team of commissioned ghostwriters. You can often find the name of the specific author credited with a 'Special Thanks' on the copyright page of each book.

Spin-offs and Connection to the Main Series

The Holiday Treasury books are a festive spin-off of the main Animal Ark series, which contains over 80 books detailing Mandy's daily life helping her parents at their veterinary clinic. While the main series has its own continuity, the Holiday Treasury books are perfect standalone reads for children aged 8 to 12 who want holiday-themed animal stories.

Frequently Asked

QDo I need to read the Animal Ark Holiday Treasury books in order?

No. Each book is a standalone story centered around a specific holiday rescue. While they follow the same main characters, there is no continuous story arc, so you can read them in any order.

QWhat is the difference between Lucy Daniels and Ben M. Baglio?

Ben M. Baglio is the creator of the series. In the UK, the books are published under the house pen name Lucy Daniels, whereas in the US, they are published under Baglio's name.

QWho actually wrote the Holiday Treasury books?

The books were written by a collaborative team of ghostwriters. The specific writer of each book is typically credited with a 'Special Thanks' on the copyright page.

QWhat holidays are covered in the Holiday Treasury series?

The series covers a wide variety of holidays, including Christmas (such as Husky with a Heart), Halloween (such as Kitten in the Candy Corn), Easter (such as Bunny in a Basket), and Valentine's Day (such as Kitty in the Candy Hearts).

QWhat age group is the Animal Ark Holiday Treasury series for?

The series is designed for young readers aged 8 to 12, featuring accessible chapter book lengths and themes of empathy, responsibility, and animal welfare.

QIs the Holiday Treasury series still in print?

The original run concluded in 2008. While they are generally out of print, copies are widely available through used bookstores, public libraries, and online secondary markets.