The engaging picture books in this Pets Themed Booklist for kids, take a look at all the different animals that we can call our best friends.
Zoo Animals Themed Booklist for kids
Dog’s Colorful Day, by Emma Dodd
Dog starts off the day with one black spot on his ear. But it seems that wherever he goes, he runs, rolls, and trots right into colors. As he wanders around town, Dog collects spots made of red jam, blue paint, pink ice cream, and more. When he finally arrives back home, Dog has ten different colored spots. And then it’s bath time for this colorful canine, who makes learning colors and numbers easy, messy, and fun!
I Wanna Iguana, by Karen Kaufman Orlof
Alex just has to convince his mom to let him have an iguana, so he puts his arguments in writing. He promises that she won’t have to feed it or clean its cage or even see it if she doesn’t want to. Of course Mom imagines life with a six-foot-long iguana eating them out of house and home.
Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, by Eric Litwin
Pete the Cat goes walking down the street wearing his brand-new white shoes. Along the way, his shoes change from white to red to blue to brown to WET as he steps in piles of strawberries, blueberries, and other big messes! But no matter what color his shoes are, Pete keeps movin’ and groovin’ and singing his song…because it’s all good.
Harry the Dirty Dog, by Gene Zion
Harry is a white dog with black spots who absolutely, positively hates to take a bath. After a day of adventure, Harry gets so dirty that he no longer looks like a white dog with black spots. Now he looks like a black dog with white spots!
“Strictly No Elephants, Lisa Mantchev
Today is Pet Club day. There will be cats and dogs and fish, but strictly no elephants are allowed. The Pet Club doesn’t understand that pets come in all shapes and sizes, just like friends. Now it is time for a boy and his tiny pet elephant to show them what it means to be a true friend.
The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! by Mo Willems
He really, really, REALLY wants one. He’ll take really good care of it! What’s the matter–don’t you want him to be happy?
The latest book in the best-selling Pigeon series is the funniest one yet.
Tails Are Not for Pulling, by Elizabeth Verdick
If pets could talk, what would they say? Maybe “Fur is for petting, backs are for scratching, noses are for nuzzling . . . and tails are not for pulling!” Toddlers and pets belong together—as long as toddlers don’t chase, grab, squeeze, yank, and tease.
May I Pet Your Dog? by Stephanie Calmenson
Children encounter dogs wherever they go: in the park, on the sidewalk, at their friends’ homes. Sometimes it’s love at first sight, on both sides—but not always. The right way for a child to approach a dog to ensure that the first connection is a complete success begins with this question to the owner: “May I pet your dog?” Harry, the dachshund shows the kids just how to do this.
Oh Theodore! by Susan Katz
Come meet Theodore: a plump, fuzzy guinea pig with a big appetite, a lot to say, and a personality all his own. As you, and his new owner, get to know him, you’ll find out what he eats and how he speaks. You’ll also discover the work involved in caring for a pet: feeding, cleaning, and taking him out for exercise. But it hardly seems like work once your pet becomes your best friend.
I Am the Dog, I Am the Cat, by Donald Hall
A hilarious, affectionate portrait in contrasts of our companions, and often best friends, a cat and a dog.
Let’s Get a Pup! by Bob Graham
There are lots of dogs of all shapes and sizes at the animal shelter. But Kate and her mom and dad know they want Dave the moment they see him. He’s small and cute and a perfect fit for the end of Kate’s bed. But then they see Rosy, who is old and gray and broad as a table. How can they take home just one dog when there are so many wonderful animals who need a home?
Pets at the White House, by Marge Kennedy
This book looks at the variety of pets kept by American presidents in the White House. Included are President Lyndon Johnson’s beagles, President Wilson’s sheep, and President Coolidge’s raccoon.
What Pet Should I Get? by Dr. Suess
What happens when a brother and sister visit a pet store to pick a pet? Naturally, they can’t choose just one!
Lola Gets a Cat, by Anna McQuinn
Lola wants a cat, but Mommy says taking care of a pet is a lot of work. So Lola does her homework. At the library she finds books about cats and pet care and she and Mommy learn as much as they can. She pretends her stuffed kitty is real and practices taking care of it. When the time comes, Lola is allowed to pick out her new friend at an animal shelter. With patience and care, her kitten settles in at home.
A Fish out of Water, by Helen Palmer
A young boy hilariously learns the consequences of not following instructions when he feeds too much to his goldfish—causing it to grow as big as a whale!
Pet Show, by Ezra Jack Keats
How can you enter a pet show when your pet runs away? That’s the question Archie faces when he can’t find his cat to enter in the neighborhood pet show. Fortunately, he does some fast thinking to win a prize.
Can I be your Dog? by Troy Cummings
Arfy is a homeless mutt who lives in a box in an alley. Arfy writes to every person on Butternut Street about what a great pet he’d make. His letters to prospective owners share that he’s house broken! He has his own squeaky bone! He can learn to live with cats! But, no one wants him. Won’t anyone open their heart–and home–to a lonesome dog?
Some pets, by Angela diterlizzi
Come one, come all, to the pet show! With dogs and cats, horses and chickens, hamsters and chinchillas—and many, many more! Who will take home the coveted Best in Show ribbon? Join the fun to find out!
Not Norman, by Kelly Bennett
Norman the goldfish isn’t what this little boy had in mind. He wanted a different kind of pet — one that could run and catch, or chase string and climb trees, a soft furry pet to sleep on his bed at night. Definitely not Norman. But when he tries to trade Norman for a “good pet,” things don’t go as he planned. Could it be that Norman is a better pet than he thought?
Little Kids First Big Book of Pets, by Catherine D. Hughes
From cats to dogs to guinea pigs to birds to fish to snakes and more, this adorable reference book introduces kids to a wide variety of family-friendly pets.
I Don’t Know What to Call My Cat, by Simon Philip
When a cat unexpectedly arrives at her house, a little girl takes him in and tries to find the perfect name. Kitty? Rambo? Mr. Maestro? None of these is quite right. Cat owning is harder than she imagined, and then the cat disappears! Good thing her next pet arrives so unexpectedly—and he’s easy to name, even if he is a bit naughty. But when Steve the Gorilla proves to be much too mischievous to be a pet, the missing, nameless cat just might turn out to be a hero!
The Perfect Pet, by Margie Palatini
Elizabeth really wants a pet. She’d like a horse, a dog, a cat, or even a turtle. But her parents do not want a pet. Instead they give her a cactus. Even though Elizabeth’s new plant proves to be a good listener, Elizabeth still really wants a pet.
While Elizabeth campaigns to find the right pet, her family imagines some hair-raising possibilities, until Doug comes along. Doug is, without a doubt, the most unusual, perfect pet of all. Doug is a bug! He’s not big like a horse or loud like a dog. He doesn’t scratch, or shed, or jump on furniture. And he hardly eats a thing.
I’ll Always Love You, by Hans Wilhelm
Elfie the dachshund is the best dog anyone could every ask for. Every day, she and her owner explore and play together. And every night, her owner tells her “I’ll always love you.” Elfie owner grow up together, but growing up can mean having to say goodbye to the ones you love.
Eliza’s Kindergarten Pet, by Alice B. McGinty
Miss Summer has a special treat for Eliza’s kindergarten class—a new pet guinea pig that the kids name Cookie. But Eliza doesn’t like this kind of cookie: “A cookie with teeth?” Eliza thinks. She knows that people eat chocolate chip cookies. But do chocolate chip cookies ever eat people?