The Best Children’s Books About Animals to Inspire Your Little Ones

Children are naturally drawn to animals of all types. Some fall in love with dogs while others can’t get enough of kittens. But just because these are the most common types of pets doesn’t mean some wild animals aren’t worth exploring. There are giraffes, monkeys, elephants, horses, and even squirrels to celebrate! The beauty of children’s books about animals is that you can always find one with your child’s favorite animal. Plus, you can ensure the story has an inspiring lesson that uplifts your child while catering to their interests.

We highlight the best children’s books about animals in the list below. Each book is written intentionally to offer an important life lesson for little readers. Each of the illustrators has created beautiful corresponding images to captivate the attention of young, curious eyes. Whether you want your child to learn about kindness and compassion or how to find the courage to try something new, there is a story in this list that perfectly complements the stage they’re in. Each book offers great value, so you may even consider adding them all to your little one’s library!

A-Z Animals Top Picks for Children’s Books About Animals

#1 Best Overall: Speedy’s Special Delivery by Maureen Eaton (Author) and Micaelah Scott Petersen (Illustrator)

The best overall children’s book about animals is Speedy’s Special Delivery by Maureen Eaton (Author) and Micaelah Scott Petersen (Illustrator).

This is a heartwarming story about an orange mama cat searching for a place to safely deliver her kittens. It’s a snowy night so she is out seeking warmth and a quiet place to settle into. All of the illustrations perfectly match the story as the little orange cat makes her way to that very special quiet place. The story touches on kindness and compassion, inspiring little readers to display these virtues in their own lives. The book is 34 pages long and is available in hardcover format.

Pros and Cons of Speedy’s Special Delivery by Maureen Eaton (Author) and Micaelah Scott Petersen (Illustrator)

Best Overall

Speedy's Special Delivery

• 34 pages.
• A story about a mother cat trying to find a safe place to deliver her kittens.

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2. Best About Elephants: Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev (Author) and Taeeun Yoo (Illustrator)

If you have a kid that is mad about elephants then we suggest Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev (Author) and Taeeun Yoo (Illustrator).

This next story is about a local pet club that refuses to admit a boy’s tiny pet elephant. It’s pet club day and although fish and cats and dogs are allowed, there is a ‘strictly no elephants’ sign at the door. The pet club does not understand that pets come in all different shapes and sizes, much like the friends that your children make. This little boy is tasked with showing them what it means to be a real friend. The story is imaginative, and the text is lyrical. It’s meant to capture the power of friendship as well as the blessing of having a pet to love.

It incorporates a message of inclusion and of reaching out to help others when needed. The illustrations are super colorful and the way it’s written and designed appeals to a range of ages. Even though this book was published several years ago, it continues to be a strong seller which just demonstrates how this message stands the test of time.

Unfortunately, some reviewers reported that the story doesn’t flow very well in some places.

Pros and Cons of Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev (Author) and Taeeun Yoo (Illustrator)

Best About Elephants

Strictly No Elephants

• 32 pages.
• Customers recommend this book for children ages 2 through 5.
• A story about friendship and the joys of caring for a pet.

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3. Best About Horses: The Smallest Horse by Lorie List

In our opinion, the best book about horses is The Smallest Horse by Lorie List.

This picture book is a 2018 Silver Medal Winner from The Independent Publisher Book Awards. It’s also a 2018 Gold Medal Winner from The Equus Film Festival Literary Division. The story follows a small horse named Trixie. This is a miniature horse, and she worries that she’s just not going to be big enough to be given an important role on the ranch where she lives. What she doesn’t realize is that she already has a very special purpose. Children follow along with her misadventures as she comes to recognize her inherent value.

This book is part of the Pony Dreams series. You can pick up several others to discover the distinct personalities of all the different horses. There is also a bonus when you pick up one of these books. You can visit the Pony Dreams website to meet the horses depicted in each of these books. It helps children learn a bit more about the horses and enjoy the fun videos and posts about all the topics covered in each of these books. This story about Trixie is available in Kindle and paperback versions and features stunning illustrations throughout. It’s engaging, heartwarming, and encouraging. It imparts a sweet lesson and also offers children an opportunity to learn about empathy.

Pros and Cons of The Smallest Horse by Lorie List

Best About Horses

The Smallest Horse

• 32 pages.
• Recommended for children ages 5 through 7.
• The first and currently only book in what is said to be the Pony Dreams series.

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4. Best About Monkeys: The Monkey Who Couldn’t Hang by Jennifer Waddle (Author) and Richard Merritt (Illustrator)

The best book about monkeys is The Monkey Who Couldn’t Hang by Jennifer Waddle (Author) and Richard Merritt (Illustrator).

This book teaches a life lesson about trying new things. The little monkey in the book is first missing out on all the fun. Other jungle animals are embarking on new adventures like flying in the sky and crossing rivers. Some of them are learning how to roar. The little monkey is holding himself back though. He’s scared of trying new things. The book follows the little monkey as he finds the courage to try something new and learns to hang just like the other monkeys in the story. Ultimately, this is a story about learning to be kind, sharing, expressing your feelings, and of course, trying new things.

This book is engaging for young children with a story that intrigues them and feels relatable. The illustrations are bold and ultra-colorful yet simple in their design. This is a part of the Little Life Lessons series, so you can pick up some of the other options to create an entire collection. Some of those other books in the series include The Chameleon Who Couldn’t Change, The Bee Who Lost Her Buzz, and The Tortoise Who Wasn’t Slow.

Pros and Cons of The Monkey Who Couldn’t Hang by Jennifer Waddle (Author) and Richard Merritt (Illustrator)

Best About Monkeys

The Monkey Who Couldn't Hang

• 28 pages.
• Recommended for children ages 1 through 5.
• A new publication, having released in April 2022.

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5. Best About Squirrels: Otto and Pio by Marianne Dubuc

If you’re looking for a fun book then check out Otto and Pio by Marianne Dubuc which is all about squirrels.

This book is written for children to learn about the importance of friendship and family. It broaches the topic of caring for the people you love. Otto is the squirrel in the story. He lives by himself and he’s perfectly content. He has a gorgeous treehouse in the forest but one day, another small creature arrives right on his doorstep. Otto is hospitable and invites Pio, the curious little creature, inside. Otto starts experiencing frustration when he sees that Pio eats all the hazelnuts and takes up the entire bed. He just seems to get bigger and bigger.

Although Otto may look at Pio as a nuisance at first, he soon begins to understand that his home is a lot happier with his new friend in it. Marianne Dubuc is the author and illustrator of this book. She has won awards for her work! This is just another heartwarming story she’s put together about finding friendship and family through the most unexpected encounters. It’s a story that imparts the lesson that when you live with someone else, there is an important responsibility you have. That’s to take care of each other.

This gentle, intentional care is ultimately what turns a house into a home and friends into family. If your kiddo falls in love with this book, you can explore some of the other books this author has written like Up the Mountain Path and The Fish and the Cat. If your child is at least two years old, this is a great read for them. It’s simple enough yet still entertaining for older children. Customers describe the author as creative and talented.

Pros and Cons of Otto and Pio by Marianne Dubuc

Best About Squirrels

Otto and Pio

• Recommended for children ages 5 through 8.
• A warm book about home, family, and caring for each other.

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Criteria: What to Look For in Children’s Books About Animals

There are so many different types of children’s books about animals, and we chose to focus on those with inspiring messages contained within the pages. However, there are others for you to explore. Before deciding on the best book for the kiddo in your life, consider the following.

Fiction vs. Non-Fiction

All the stories we highlight in this article are fictional. They use animals as a way to convey deeper messages to children. They touch on important topics and life lessons that children need to learn. The stage children are in is rapidly changing. They are growing physically, mentally, and emotionally. That can be a tough burden to bear, especially when they start encountering environments they’re not accustomed to. Children need reminders that it’s okay to be different, that it’s important to be kind, that they can cultivate empathy and compassion, and that they can celebrate their unique qualities.

However, you can go the no-fiction route with children’s books about animals. You can certainly pick up books that contain all the fun facts children want to learn. These books incorporate pictures of real animals instead of illustrations, and teach children about the habitats where these animals live. These types of books teach them about an animal’s anatomy, and they can even teach them about the important responsibility that comes with owning a pet. It’s a good idea to incorporate a little bit of fiction along with a bit of non-fiction. This gives children an opportunity to explore the reality of animals while also helping them enjoy imagination and creativity with fun, fictional stories.

Reading Level

With every book comes a suggested reading age. Books that are much too simple may feel boring to some older children whereas books that have too much text may feel too overwhelming for very young readers. When picking a children’s book about animals, make sure that you’re picking one that is suitable for the child you have in mind. This way, you can ensure that the child will be able to follow along easily (or perhaps with a little bit of a challenge). When the reading level is appropriate, the child gets to enjoy the story because they understand it. Otherwise, the underlying message may go over their heads.