Bryn Savage

Margit Auer’s Die Schule der magischen Tiere is a popular series for elementary-age kids (8-12) and works well as either a read aloud book for families or something for kids to discover on their own. It follows a class of children who each receive a magical, speaking animal to be their pet and partner on adventures. The series follows a class of children at Winterstein School, each of whom receives a magical, talking animal as their personal companion — a fox, a bear, a rabbit, a tortoise, and many more. In the first book, Ida is the new girl at school and desperately wishes for a friend and gets Rabbat, a fast-talking, streetwise fox, while outsider Benni receives Henrietta the turtle. The children find their confidence and place in the class with the support of Rabbat and Henrietta. The animals are not just pets, but rather partners, matching each child’s personality and helping them navigate friendships, self-doubt, and the small but real challenges of growing up, as well as many mysteries and adventures. The books are illustrated throughout with Nina Dulleck’s charming black-and-white drawings.

With 16 books in the main series, a spin-off series (Endlich Ferien) in which each volume follows a different child-and-animal pair on a vacation adventure, a separate mystery spin-off (Die Schule der magischen Tiere ermittelt), a graded reader series, audiobooks, and four films, there is plenty of content and formats to suit any family. While my son and enjoyed the main series best, the films can be a nice entry point, too — they are gentle, funny, and includee musical elements, perfect for family movie night.

While the language is not especially simple — these are proper chapter books with full sentences and a real narrative — the tone is accessible and never scary or dark. I strongly recommend this series for many families because it strikes a perfect balance: there is enough mystery and fantasy to be genuinely exciting, enough humor to keep the mood light, and a consistent, gentle focus on friendship, kindness, and finding your own strengths.

Die Schule der magischen Tiere — Hauptreihe

1. Die Schule der magischen Tiere 1
2. Die Schule der magischen Tiere 2: Voller Löcher!
3. Die Schule der magischen Tiere 3: Licht aus!
4. Die Schule der magischen Tiere 4: Abgefahren!
5. Die Schule der magischen Tiere 5: Top oder Flop!
6. Die Schule der magischen Tiere 6: Nass und nasser!
7. Die Schule der magischen Tiere 7: Wo ist Mr. M?
8. Die Schule der magischen Tiere 8: Voll verknallt!
9. Die Schule der magischen Tiere 9: Versteinert!
10. Die Schule der magischen Tiere 10: Hin und weg!
11. Die Schule der magischen Tiere 11: Wilder, wilder Wald!
12. Die Schule der magischen Tiere 12: Voll das Chaos!
13. Die Schule der magischen Tiere 13: Bravo, bravissimo!
14. Die Schule der magischen Tiere 14: Ach du Schreck!
15. Die Schule der magischen Tiere 15: Vierundzwanzig
16. Die Schule der magischen Tiere 16: Land unter!

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Die Schule der magischen Tiere — Endlich Ferien

Each book in this spin-off follows one child-and-animal pair on a holiday adventure of their own.

1. Endlich Ferien 1: Rabbat und Ida
2. Endlich Ferien 2: Silas und Rick
3. Endlich Ferien 3: Henry und Leander
4. Endlich Ferien 4: Helene und Karajan
5. Endlich Ferien 5: Benni und Henrietta
6. Endlich Ferien 6: Hatice und Mette-Maja
7. Endlich Ferien 7: Max und Muriel
8. Endlich Ferien 8: Franka und Cooper
9. Endlich Ferien 9: Elisa und Silber

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Die Schule der magischen Tiere ermittelt

A mystery-focused spin-off series of graded readers with short, simple texts. Each book features a different child-and-animal pair solving a self-contained case.

1. Ermittelt 1: Der grüne Glibber-Brief
2. Ermittelt 2: Der Hausschuh-Dieb
3. Ermittelt 3: Der Kokosnuss-Klau
4. Ermittelt 4: Der Flötenschreck
5. Ermittelt 5: Der Gurkenschurke
6. Ermittelt 6: Die Plätzchenfalle
7. Ermittelt 7: Das Biber-Rätsel

The Movies

1. Die Schule der magischen Tiere (2021): Ida transfers to a new school and is bullied until Miss Cornfield introduces her to a magical, talking fox named Rabbat. Alongside her new friend Benni and his turtle Henrietta, they navigate friendship issues and mysterious school thefts.
2. Die Schule der magischen Tiere 2 (2022): The students plan a musical for the school’s 250th anniversary. Amidst rehearsals, jealousy, and a new penguin companion, the children must work together to solve the mystery of strange holes appearing in the schoolyard.
3. Die Schule der magischen Tiere 3 (2024): The children face new adventures involving a school fashion show and a plot to save the nearby forest. New animals, such as a snobbish cat and a vegan crocodile, join the group while the kids navigate first love and social challenges.
4. Die Schule der magischen Tiere 4 (2025): The Winterstein School will be closed due to low enrollment, unless 100 new students sign up within 4 days. The children come up with a plan to save the school.