Author and conservationist Thornton W. Burgess (1874-1965) wrote thousands of animal stories for children, starting with the 1910 publication of Old Mother West Wind. Burgess's tales convey his fascination with wildlife and his concern for nature, teaching gentle lessons about ecology and respect for the environment.

Old Mother West Wind (1910)
I. Mrs. Redwing's Speckled Egg
II. Why Grandfather Frog Has No Tail
III. How Reddy Fox Was Surprised
IV. Why Jimmy Skunk Wears Stripes
V. The Wilful Little Breeze
VI. Reddy Fox Goes Fishing
VII. Jimmy Skunk Looks for Beetles
VIII. Billy Mink's Swimming Party
IX. Peter Rabbit Plays a Joke
X. How Sammy Jay Was Found Out
XI. Jerry Muskrat's Party
XII. Bobby Coon and Reddy Fox Play Tricks
XIII. Johnny Chuck Finds the Best Thing in the World
XIV. Little Joe Otter's Slippery Slide
XV. The Tale of Tommy Trout Who Didn't Mind
XVI. Spotty the Turtle Wins a Race

Mother West Wind's Children (1911)
I. Danny Meadow Mouse Learns Why His Tail Is Short
II. Why Reddy Fox Has No Friends
III. Why Peter Rabbit's Ears Are Long
IV. Reddy Fox Disobeys
V. Striped Chipmunk's Pockets
VI. Reddy Fox, the Boaster
VII. Johnny Chuck's Secret
VIII. Johnny Chuck's Great Fight
IX. Mr. Toad's Old Suit
X. Grandfather Frog Gets Even
XI. The Disappointed Bush
XII. Why Bobby Coon Washes His Food
XIII. The Merry Little Breezes Have a Busy Day
XIV. Why Hooty the Owl Does Not Play on the Green Meadows
XV. Danny Meadow Mouse Learns to Laugh