The 7 Best Children’s Books About Snakes

Written by Kirstin Harrington
Updated: April 27, 2023
© Opayaza12/Shutterstock.com

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The greatest children’s books may inspire a passion for reading and education! Whether your child is obsessed with snakes or you’re interested in adding more animal books to their library, we have you covered. From entertaining picture books to educational classics, below you’ll find the nine best children’s books about snakes for kids of all ages! 

  1. The Greedy Python by Richard Buckley and Eric Carle
    • CD features iconic narration by Stanley Tucci
    • Charming tale about etiquette, tolerance, and camaraderie
    • This picture book is geared toward kids four to eight years old
    • Written by the author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar
    Check Amazon
  2. The Girl Who Wore Snakes
    • Beautifully written
    • Features high-quality oil illustrations
    • Great choice for kids
    • Geared toward reading age two to four years old.
    • Teaches kids that pets are living creatures that require proper care.
    Check Amazon
  3. Verdi by Janell Cannon
    • The main character is a young python that's proud of his bright yellow skin and doesn't want to grow up to be "sleepy and green."
    • Young readers will learn the value of accepting oneself
    • Beautifully drawn picture book
    • Geared toward kids three to six years old
    Check Amazon
  4. Everything You Need to Know About Snakes by John Woodward
    • Great resource for young readers
    • Lots of photos
    • Detailed content full of quizzes, facts about anatomy, and amazing illustrations
    • Geared toward kids ages five to nine
    Check Amazon
  5. National Geographic Readers: Snakes! By Melissa Stewart
    • Produced by National Geographic
    • Cool images and interesting facts
    • Filled with fun facts
    • Geared toward kids ages four to eight
    • Available in Kindle and paperback
    Check Amazon
  6. Snakes! A Kid’s Book of Cool Images and Amazing Facts About Snakes by John Yost
    • Excellent Kindle edition
    • Easy-to-read language
    • Lots of fun, educational facts
    • Filled with fantastic photos
    • Part of the Nature Books for Children series
    Check Amazon
  7. Snakes Have No Legs by Kelly Tills
    • Great for newborns to second graders
    • Humorous writing
    • Each book in this series explores one animal, one fun fact, one key vocabulary word like "slither," and lots of silly scenarios
    • Available in Kindle and paperback formats
    Check Amazon

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

1. The Greedy Python by Richard Buckley and Eric Carle

In this beloved picture book by Richard Buckley and Eric Carle, which comes with a CD that features Stanley Tucci’s iconic narration, a hungry python devours every animal it encounters in the forest. 

The devoured creatures, which may range in size from a little mouse to a gigantic elephant, make friends with one another within the snake before being vomited out by the python. For many parents, this book, which was first published in 2015, may remind them of their childhood. Readers and listeners will enjoy this hilarious tale about etiquette, tolerance, and camaraderie.

This book is geared toward kids four through eight and is available in hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and board book formats.

Some reviewers didn’t like the storyline, especially the ending, in which the python eats itself.

Pros and Cons of The Greedy Python by Richard Buckley and Eric Carle

ProsCon
This book comes with a CD featuring Stanley Tucci’s iconic narration.Some reviewers didn’t like the storyline, especially the ending, in which the python eats itself.
In this story, a greedy python devours every animal in the forest before throwing them up and eating himself.
This book is about etiquette, tolerance, and camaraderie.
This book is geared toward kids four through eight and is available in hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and board book formats.
The Greedy Python by Richard Buckley and Eric Carle
  • CD features iconic narration by Stanley Tucci
  • Charming tale about etiquette, tolerance, and camaraderie
  • This picture book is geared toward kids four to eight years old
  • Written by the author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Check Amazon

2. The Girl Who Wore Snakes by Angela Johnson (Author) and James Ransome (Illustrator)

In this picture book by the creators of Do Like Kyla, a girl’s fascination with snakes is sparked by a school visit from a neighborhood zookeeper. There she meets a menagerie of creatures. Ali offers to have Silvia the snake wrap around her neck, arm, and ankles during the class presentation. She is so enamored with the snake who reminds her of “the sun, the earth, and everything in between.” 

Ali likes to wear the smaller snakes as accessories while she searches for new opportunities to interact with them. Until Ali visits one of her aunts, Ali’s family finds it difficult to comprehend her obsession. Although Johnson uses visual details and beautiful language throughout her book, the majority of the aspects in her novel are unrealistic. This isn’t a huge deal since most kids have vivid imaginations. 

The writing is paired with signature oil portraits by Ransome. They have warm deep brown, golden, and orange tones that convey emotion. This book is a great option for kiddos ages two to four. 

Pros and Cons of The Girl Who Wore Snakes by Angela Johnson (Author) and James Ransome (Illustrator)

ProsCons
In this picture book, a girl becomes enamored with snakes when a zookeeper visits her school. She likes to wear the snakes as accessories.None
The book is filled with beautiful oil portraits in warm deep brown, golden, and orange tones.
It’s geared toward kids ages two to four.
The Girl Who Wore Snakes
  • Beautifully written
  • Features high-quality oil illustrations
  • Great choice for kids
  • Geared toward reading age two to four years old.
  • Teaches kids that pets are living creatures that require proper care.
Check Amazon

3. Verdi by Janell Cannon

Verdi is a snake that’s born a tad bit unique in the deep forest where every serpent is green. This little slithery creature is a bright shade of yellow. Young readers will learn the value of accepting oneself as you are in this beautifully drawn picture book from the author of Stellaluna. Young Verdi does not desire to grow large and turn emerald. 

He likes his athletic stripes and bright yellow skin. In addition, every green snake he encounters is uninteresting, unpleasant, and lethargic. Verdi tries every method in the book to get rid of the pale green stripe that runs the length of his body. He just gets himself into more difficult situations. Verdi becomes green despite his attempts, but he is delighted to learn that this does not need to change who he is! 

This book is appropriate for kids three to six years old.

Pros and Cons of Verdi by Janell Cannon

ProsCons
The protagonist in this story is a young, bright yellow snake. All of the other snakes in the forest are green.None
The book teaches young readers the value of accepting themselves are they are.
It’s appropriate for kids three to six years old.
Verdi by Janell Cannon
  • The main character is a young python that's proud of his bright yellow skin and doesn't want to grow up to be "sleepy and green."
  • Young readers will learn the value of accepting oneself
  • Beautifully drawn picture book
  • Geared toward kids three to six years old
Check Amazon

4. Everything You Need to Know About Snakes by DK and John Woodward

Everything You Need to Know About Snakes covers the amazing world of reptiles. From swiftly crawling beasts and sentient dragons to snakes that glide and shed skin. Along with discovering all about lizards, alligators, snails, and turtles, readers ages five to nine will also learn about how far a cobra can spit. There’s a gallery of fang photos, information on how to resist a snake strike, the life span of a snake, and more. 

Our favorite thing in this book had to be the information on the Titanoboa, a 50-foot-long prehistoric snake. Children will want to refer to this book often because it is filled with amazing illustrations, entertaining activities and quizzes, and startling information about anatomy, diet, and personality.

One reviewer said that this book places too strong a focus on venomous snakes. Another said that the book was “too basic.”

Pros and Cons of Everything You Need to Know About Snakes by John Woodward

ProsCons
This book is geared toward kids ages five to nine.One reviewer said that this book places too strong a focus on venomous snakes.
It covers everything a child could want to know about snakes and other reptiles.Another said that the book was “too basic.”
It includes fun facts and captivating illustrations as well as entertaining activities and quizzes.
Your child will learn about each featured creature’s anatomy, diet, and personality.
Everything You Need to Know About Snakes by John Woodward
  • Great resource for young readers
  • Lots of photos
  • Detailed content full of quizzes, facts about anatomy, and amazing illustrations
  • Geared toward kids ages five to nine
Check Amazon

5. National Geographic Readers: Snakes! by Melissa Stewart

Snakes terrify many people. Children seem to find them more entertaining and are less scared of these critters than most adults. But as you get to know them, you’ll discover that snakes are solitary, quiet individuals who only desire a cool, shaded area to live in. 

These animals are made up of mysteries that all children will enjoy. This includes such wonders as the forked tips of their tongues, their shedding skin, and the rattles on some of their tails. We love that this book has cool images and interesting facts that let us peek inside the intriguing world of these slithery serpents. With it being from National Geographic, you can expect to learn something new, every time you flip the page! 

This book is appropriate for kids ages four to eight.

A handful of reviewers called it a “short, cheaply made book.”

Pros and Cons of National Geographic Readers: Snakes! by Melissa Stewart

ProsCons
This book is jam-packed with cool images and fun facts about snakes.A handful of reviewers called it a “short, cheaply made book.”
It’s appropriate for kids ages four to eight.
National Geographic Readers: Snakes! By Melissa Stewart
  • Produced by National Geographic
  • Cool images and interesting facts
  • Filled with fun facts
  • Geared toward kids ages four to eight
  • Available in Kindle and paperback
Check Amazon

6. Snakes! A Kid’s Book of Cool Images and Amazing Facts About Snakes by John Yost

Our next choice became a Kindle bestseller on Amazon! Let’s talk about Snakes! A Kid’s Book of Cool Images and Amazing Facts About Snakes by children’s story author John Yost. This book makes learning about snakes enjoyable and exciting by combining intriguing visuals with straightforward text. 

One of the most amazing books on the Kindle is said to be this inaugural edition in the Nature Books for Children series. The images were picked with care to display beautifully in full color or in black and white on any screen. Easy-to-read language is used in Snakes! A Kid’s Book of Cool Images and Amazing Facts About Snakes to allow kids to explore and learn on their own. Each image features a caption to pique your child’s interest and start a dialogue.

You are free to walk your youngster through the lovely illustrations in the book. We also encourage parents to read the short passage to their youngsters before bed or when they are both settling in for the night. This book vividly depicts the fascinating and astonishing world of snakes. Fascinating information about these lovely creatures’ biology, senses, eating habits, and more are between the covers. 

A few reviewers pointed out some inaccuracies, such as calling snakes “poisonous” instead of “venomous.”

Pros and Cons of Snakes! A Kid’s Book of Cool Images and Amazing Facts About Snakes by John Yost

ProsCons
This book is a Kindle bestseller on Amazon.A few reviewers pointed out some inaccuracies, such as calling snakes “poisonous” instead of “venomous.”
It combines intriguing visuals with straightforward text to make learning about snakes fun and exciting for kids.
The images were carefully selected to be beautiful whether displayed on a color or black and white Kindle.
The easy-to-read language makes it easy for kids to learn on their own, and each image features a caption to pique your kid’s interest and start a dialog.
Your child will learn about snakes’ biology, senses, eating habits, and more.
Snakes! A Kid’s Book of Cool Images and Amazing Facts About Snakes by John Yost
  • Excellent Kindle edition
  • Easy-to-read language
  • Lots of fun, educational facts
  • Filled with fantastic photos
  • Part of the Nature Books for Children series
Check Amazon

7. Snakes Have No Legs by Kelly Tills

Learn about how snakes can crawl up trees, on land, and even in the sea in this humorous picture book on snakes for infants to kids five years old. Check out all the interesting forms a snake may take. The read-aloud in the classroom or at home is ideal for Snakes Have No Legs. 

Can a snake wear gloves? is one of the many absurd questions that kids love to yell out loudly. A tried-and-true strategy for keeping kids interested and conversing with one another rather than just chewing on the pages is the call and response approach.

Pros and Cons of Snakes Have No Legs by Kelly Tills

ProsCons
This humorous book is meant for kids from age zero (newborns) to five years old.None
It’s a fun book to read aloud in the classroom or at home.
It’s filled with silly questions like “Can a snake wear gloves?”
Snakes Have No Legs by Kelly Tills
  • Great for newborns to second graders
  • Humorous writing
  • Each book in this series explores one animal, one fun fact, one key vocabulary word like "slither," and lots of silly scenarios
  • Available in Kindle and paperback formats
Check Amazon

How to Choose the Right Children’s Book About Snakes

When you’re selecting a children’s book about snakes, there are several factors to keep in mind: age group, type, and format. Let’s look at these categories more closely.

Age Group

We provided the targeted age group whenever it was provided by Amazon. Usually, it makes sense to purchase a book that’s for your child’s targeted age. But some children are more comfortable reading (or being read to) books for a slightly lower age group. Others may be capable of reading books intended for older kids, and there’s nothing more frustrating than being forced to read a “baby” book when you’re able to read and understand more complex information.

Type

The books in our selection fall into two major categories: fiction and non-fiction. Does your child prefer stories or facts? If you get that right, you’re much more likely to hold their attention with their new snake book.

Format

Small children often like to hold paperback or hardcover books in their hands, though they often don’t have the coordination to do so without ripping or bending pages. If you’re reading to them, or if they’re older and can read on their own, you may choose to purchase the Kindle version. Also, some titles are available in audiobook or audio CD formats, which can “read to your kids” when you’re busy doing something else.

About the Author

Kirstin is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering animals, news topics, fun places, and helpful tips. Kirstin has been writing on a variety of topics for over five years. She has her real estate license, along with an associates degree in another field. A resident of Minnesota, Kirstin treats her two cats (Spook and Finlay) like the children they are. She never misses an opportunity to explore a thrift store with a coffee in hand, especially if it’s a cold autumn day!

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