James Herriot Reading Order

10 books (1970–1984)

James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small is a complete ten-book series following the life and work of a country veterinarian in Yorkshire, England. Published between 1970 and 1984, these memoirs should be read in publication order beginning with If Only They Could Talk. The series progresses chronologically through Herriot's career, making each installment a natural continuation of the previous one. These beloved nonfiction accounts offer a window into rural British life and veterinary practice across several decades.

Start with If Only They Could Talk, the first of 10 books in the All Creatures Great and Small series.

#	Title
1	If Only They Could Talk 1970Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	All Creatures Great and Small 1972Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet 1972Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Let Sleeping Vets Lie 1973Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	All Things Bright and Beautiful 1974Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Vet in Harness 1974Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	All Things Wise and Wonderful 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Vets Might Fly 1976Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	The Lord God Made Them All 1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	Vet in a Spin 1984Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (1989–2005)

This complete anthology series by James Herriot contains two collections of animal stories published between 1989 and 2005. Both books should be read in publication order, beginning with Famous and Curious Animal Stories followed by Christmas Cats. The series offers non-fiction tales suitable for young adult readers interested in memorable animal encounters.

Start with Famous and Curious Animal Stories and read in order.

16 books (1979–1999)

James Herriot's complete non-fiction series comprises 16 books published between 1979 and 1999, featuring collections of animal stories and Yorkshire tales drawn from the beloved veterinarian's experiences. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Animal Stories and Tame & Wild and continuing through themed volumes focused on dogs, cats, and the Yorkshire countryside. These compilations showcase Herriot's warmth and humor as he recounts his encounters with both domestic and wild creatures throughout his veterinary career.

Start with Animal Stories, Tame & Wild, the first of 16 books in the Non-Fiction series.

#	Title
1	Animal Stories, Tame & Wild 1979Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	James Herriot's Yorkshire 1979Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	All Creatures Great and Small Annual 1982 1981Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	James Herriot's Dog Stories 1986Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	James Herriot's Favorite Dog Stories 1986Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Greatest Cat Stories 1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Every Living Thing 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	James Herriot Story Book 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	James Herriot's Treasury for Children 1992Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	James Herriot's Cat Stories 1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	James Herriot's Yorkshire Stories 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	James Herriot's Yorkshire Village 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	Seven Yorkshire tales 1995Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14	James Herriot's Animal Stories 1997Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15	Yorkshire Stories 1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16	James Herriot's Yorkshire Revisited 1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

8 books (1972–2009)

James Herriot's Picture series consists of eight complete books published between 1972 and 2009, each featuring standalone illustrated stories about animals. These young adult and non-fiction works should be read in publication order, beginning with Bonny's Big Day and continuing through titles such as Moses the Kitten, Only One Woof, The Christmas Day Kitten, Blossom Comes Home, The Market Square Dog, Oscar, Cat-About-Town, and concluding with The Animals at Diamond Woods. The series offers gentle, heartwarming narratives accompanied by illustrations, making it accessible for younger readers while appealing to animal lovers of all ages.

Start with Bonny's Big Day, the first of 8 books in the Picture series.

#	Title
1	Bonny's Big Day 1972Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Moses the Kitten 1984Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Only One Woof 1985Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	The Christmas Day Kitten 1986Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Blossom Comes Home 1988Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	The Market Square Dog 1989Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Oscar, Cat-About-Town 1990Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	The Animals at Diamond Woods 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

4 books (1983–2023)

James Herriot's short story collections span four decades, beginning with The Best of James Herriot in 1983 and concluding with The Wonderful World of James Herriot: A Charming Collection of Classic Stories in 2023. These compilations bring together selections from his beloved catalogue of veterinary and animal-centered tales. Read these books in publication order to experience how Herriot's work has been curated and presented to readers over time. The series appears to be complete, making it an ideal entry point for those new to this author's distinctive blend of memoir and storytelling.

Start with The Best of James Herriot and read in order.

#	Title
1	The Best of James Herriot 1983Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Horse & Pony Stories 1986Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Wonderful World of James Herriot 2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	The Wonderful World of James Herriot: A Charming Collection of Classic Stories 2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

2 books (1991–1991)

James Herriot's Smudge series consists of two complete books published in 1991, designed for young adult readers interested in non-fiction animal stories. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Smudge's Day Out followed by Smudge, The Little Lost Lamb. These charming tales showcase Herriot's signature storytelling about animals and the natural world.

Start with Smudge's Day Out and read in order.

#	Title
1	Smudge's Day Out 1991Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Smudge, The Little Lost Lamb 1991Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible