25 Delightful Children’s Picture Books About Pets
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You might be wondering what ARE the perfect pets for kids? And what would you name whatever pet you get anyway? Well, wonder no more — these children’s picture books can help!
You might also want to read these book lists: Cat Books, Dog Books, Rescue Animal Books.
Picture Books About Pets
I Don’t Know What to Call My Cat by Simon Philip, illustrated by Ella Bailey
CAT
Our cute but clueless heroine will crack you up, or rather the cat’s face will crack you up as you watch her both try to name and dress up her new kitty, find a new temporary pet from the zoo (!) when her cat disappears, and then that goes poorly and luckily her cat comes back with some new name information. Kids who want their own pets will enjoy the perfect name brainstorm!
Lola Gets a Cat by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw
CAT
Lola is one of my kids favorite picture book characters, do you know her? Now she is getting a cat from a shelter. When the cat picks her, Lola takes her home and help her kitty feel comfortable. Warning: I think that there’s a high probability your kids will want their own cat just like Lola.
Stretchy McHandsome by Judy Schachner
CAT
If you like sweet stories with happy endings, you’ll love this story of a cat who finds his person and whose brother and sister cats find their people, too. Stretchy sets off on an adventure and discovers a girl who loves him at first sight. Their bond is made even better when her 8 brothers and sisters adopt Stretchy’s brothers and sisters.
Princess Cora and the Crocodile by Laura Amy Schlitz, illustrated by Brian Floca
CROCODILE
Princess Cora’s life is learning, bathing, training, and more bathing and she’s sick of it. That’s why she asks her fairy godmother for a pet. She, unexpectedly, gets a crocodile. Although he isn’t exactly what she has in mind, Cora agrees to let the crocodile trade places with her so she can have a day off. And the results are HILARIOUS, ending with a more understanding king and queen who relax on all that they demand from Princess Cora.
The Princess and the Frogs by Veronica Bartles, illustrated by Sara Palacios
PRINCES
I adore this hilarious twist on a fairy tale story!! In this version, the princess wants a pet — but every frog she gets, turns into a prince when she kisses it goodnight– and we all know that princes do not make good pets. Soon princes are all over the palace playing and being boys but one is very sad because he wants to be a frog again. Which is good because the princess still needs a pet.
If I Had a Dinosaur by Alex Barrow and Gabby Dawnay
DINOSAUR
A young girl knows all the reasons having a dinosaur for a pet would be the best. Kids will be sure to nod along at all her reasonable reasons.
Charlotte and the Rock by Stephen W. Martin, illustrated by Samantha Cotterill
ROCK (?)
Charlotte tries to make the best of the gigantic pet rock, Dennis, her parents give her — they play games, go swimming, and even take baths together. (Their adventures are quite giggle worthy!) One night, however, something unexpected happens. Dennis hatches! You’ll fall in love with this charming story, the illustrations, and the surprise ending. (Check out this fun pet rock art and writing activity.)
Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings
DOG
Arfy wants a forever home. So he sends letters to “The People at Yellow House” and “Butcher Lady” and “Fire Station No. 5” and many others detailing his many fine qualities. For example, he can fetch boots, he can keep the floor clean, he’s potty trained, and will bark if people steal stuff. But no one wants him. He’s lonely, discouraged, and sad. Until he gets a surprising letter from the mail carrier, who wants to be his person!!
I Do Not Like Al’s Hat by Erin McGill
RABBIT
Herb is a magician’s rabbit and he’s sick of it — sick of getting pulled by his ears out of a hat, sick of the applause, sick of the hat. So he sets out to figure out what else he can do. His list: wild rabbit, veggie farmer, and pet rabbit. Guess what is the best fit for him? Being a pet rabbit for Sophie! A sweet story of finding your place with cool collage illustrations.
No More Bows by Samantha Cotterill
DOG
Hugo is a dog who hates wearing the bows his girl puts on him. So running away seems like a good idea but soon he misses his sweet girl and her silly bows. So he returns and makes a compromise — bow ties!
Glamourpuss by Sarah Weeks, illustrated by David Small
CAT
Cat owners know that living the high-life is precisely what cats aspire to do. And lucky for Glamourpuss, she’s lavished with everything she needs to be . . . glamorous. That is until Bluebell the dog arrives with a visiting relative. I love the vivid illustrations and true-to-life dreams of a diva cat — who transforms the dog into a glamorous dog!
The Wonderous Dinosaurium by John Condon, illustrated by Steve Brown
DINOSAUR / TURTLE
SO FUN! This boy wants a pet dinosaur from the Dinosaurium. In an introduction to different kinds of dinosaurs, each one he picks, he’s not happy with. Finally, he settles on a small, cute dinosaur that doesn’t eat as much as some of the others. A turtle! Or meiolania.
Have You Seen My Invisible Dinosaur by Helen Yoon
DINOSAUR
The little girl has lost her best friend — a dinosaur. She just gave him a bath and now he’s invisible! She shares with us all the ways she’s tried to find her lost dino– luring him with snacks, putting up posters, until…he finds her! Comedic and darling, this engaging story with adorable illustrations is sure to delight readers.
You Don’t Want a Unicorn! by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Liz Climo
UNICORN
Get the inside scoop as our narrator breaks down the perils of unicorn as pets. They can’t be house-trained, they have really big unicorn parties, the horn is very destructive, especially after jumping, . . . it’s just not as awesome as you might think. What a helpful cautionary tale! (added to: 22 Magical Children’s Books About Unicorns)
Even MORE Children’s Books About Pets
Miss Hazeltine’s Home for Shy and Fearful Cats by Alicia Potter, illustrated by Birgitta Sif
CATS
Cat lovers will appreciate Miss Hazeltine’s love for cats who are afraid of everything, I know I do! Miss Hazeltine opens her house to all shy cats and gently helps them learn about birds, climbing, noises, new friends, pouncing, and brooms. The illustrations are whimsical and charming; the story is wonderful — the cats face their fears to rescue their beloved Miss Hazeltine.
My Favorite Pets by Gus W. for Ms. Smolinski’s Class by Jeanne Birdsall, illustrated by Harry Bliss
SHEEP
Sheep are Gus’ favorite pets. Which is why he writes this hilarious report for his class. . . You’ll laugh as he explains the basics with a bit of elaboration. “A boy sheep is a ram. He has horns. They do not come off.” This text is paired with an illustration of Gus trying to pull off the horns with a rope lasso. Super funny and even a little informational.
The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton
PONY
We love this hilarious story of a warrior princess whose parents get her a kazillion cute sweaters — which warriors DON’T NEED. When Princess Pinecone asks for a horse, she gets a cute pony instead. (But totally cute.) Pinecone and her pony watch for the right moment to join in a battle but Otto the Awful runs straight at them!!! Instead of attacking, he pets the cute pony. Soon all the warriors are petting the pony. To help the warriors show their cuddly sides, Pinecone gifts them all her cozy sweaters.
Pirate’s Perfect Pet by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Matt Myers
PARROT
Captain Crave has everything a good pirate should except for a pet. So he and his crew start searching for the perfect pirate pet. A crab is too cranky. An octopus too clingy. A pig, too muddy. An elephant, too big. But when he goes to the pet shop, he meets a parrot who poops on him and creates a ruckus — in other words, the perfect pirate pet. Dynamic illustrations and a rollicking adventure will make this a new favorite.
Lizard from the Park by Mark Pett
LIZARD
Leonard takes good care of his egg and the lizard it hatches. When the lizard grows and grows, it’s clear that he’s unhappy so Leonard decides he must return his pet to the park. Very sweet story.
A Boy and His Bunny by Sean Bryan, illustrated by Tom Murphy
BUNNY
Both rhyming and funny, you’ll follow along as the boy wakes up to discover that there is a bunny named Fred on his head! And this is the start of a delightful friendship.
The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read by Curtis Manley and Katie Berube
CATS
Nick, our main character, does everything with his cats — except read books. That’s why Nick decides to teach his cats to read, too. Verne, the cat, is interested but Stevenson, the cat, is not. Until . . . Nick discovers Stevenson’s drawing. All Stevenson the cat needs are words and he’ll write his own story to read!
Stormy: A Story About Finding a Forever Home by Guojing
DOG
No words are needed as the illustrations narrate the story of a scared little dog who learns to trust the kind, sensitive woman who notices him. When she first sees the dog, the dog doesn’t trust her. She sits day after day, patiently showing the dog that she’s a safe person. And eventually, they make a connection with a tennis ball. Ultimately, the dog learns to trust the woman just in time for her to rescues him from a terrible storm. Now they’re a family, living in her apartment. (Cue sappy music of love, harps, and choirs!) It’s SO SWEET.
Melissa’s Octopus and Other Unsuitable Pets by Charlotte Voake
Explore the most unsuitable pets for kids — from a warthog to an alligator — in this silly story. (Of course, I love the main character’s name, too.)
Lazy Dave by Jarvis
DOG
Lily thinks her dog, Dave, is lazy and sleeps all day. She doesn’t know that while he sleeps, he sleepWALKS! And while he does, he has all sorts of amazing adventures — even catches a thief robbing a jewelry store. What a dog! And a book. Short, sweet, and fun.
Goodnight, Good Dog by Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by Rebecca Malone
DOG
I love the illustrations and simple text that captures the dog remembering his day and his children and wishing himself good-night, good dog. Sweet and perfect for a bedtime read.
