Wild animals are often fascinating to children. They love reading about them, making animal noises, and watching them at the zoo.
I am a huge believer in learning through adventures like trips to the zoo. A trip to the zoo brings to life animals that children see in books and snuggle with at night. Despite my mixed feelings about zoos, they do allow children real life experiences watching real live animals. They can watch how they move, what they eat, how they interact and more.
The right children’s books can also support learning.
Books about the zoo can introduce toddlers to new animal names. Books can build excitement for a trip to the zoo. Books can also allow children to delve deeper into their favorite animals observed at the zoo.
So, what are the best books for reading before and after a trip to the zoo?
affiliate links are included below.
17 Zoo Animal Picture Books
1. We’re Going to the Zoo by Tom Paxton
Find Online
I have read, or sung, this book countless times to our toddlers. It is a animated song set to humorous, detailed illustrations. This book captures the excitement of a zoo trip perfectly for young children.
Also Sing Animals by Music with Nancy
2. Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
Find Online
This is one of our favorite books, period. This classic is a textbook example of the value of illustrations in a children’s book. The simple, limited text leaves space for the illustrations to tell the humorous story. If you haven’t read it, find it and read it!
3. 1, 2, 3 to the Zoo by Eric Carle
Find Online
A beautiful counting book that happily integrates a train into the tale of transporting a building number of animals to the zoo. Eric Carle’s trademark colorful illustrations invite the reader into their tale to count and build vocabulary as you read.
4. The Zoo by Suzy Lee
Find Online
This is a stunning, imaginative book. It tells two stories. The fantastical tale of a child’s trip to the zoo bursting with color and whimsy. Alongside, it captures a realistic tale told in black and white of parents frantically attempting to keep up with their child.
5. Actual Size by Steve Jenkins
Find Online
Actual Size is no ordinary non-fiction book. Here the animals are captured in as-large-as-life amazing size and detail by a master. This is a captivating and unique book about zoo animals.
You May Also Like:
Steve Jenkins and Robin Page Author Study
6. My Heart is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall
Find Online
Michael Hall’s unique illustrations utilize hearts to create illustrations of zoo animals. We found this book at the San Diego Zoo before our children were born and are so thrilled our children love it as much as we do. The diverse group of animals pictured branches out from the typical representations offering vocabulary expansions.
7. Down by the Station by Will Hillenbrand
Find Online
Our toddlers love this book more than almost any other. If your child loves trains and animals they will love this book. There is excitement. There are baby animals. There are trains. It is the perfect zoo book for young children. There are a lot of versions of this song/story, but none is illustrated with the imagination or humor of Hillenbrand.
Will Hillenbrand is from Ohio and has led an incredible career in the world of children’s books. He is probably best know for his illustrations. I would guess that you have read a book illustrated by him at some point along the way. His list of published works is impressive.
He has also written and illustrated some books – our favorite of which is below. I can’t wait to see what your favorite is!
8. Bruno Munari’s Zoo by Bruno Munari
Find Online
Bruno Munari is a graphic designer and artist and his version of a zoo is highly creative. Each page is graphically original and bold. I was unsure whether our children would understand or appreciate the wry humor or inventive approach to zoo illustration, but they immediately latched onto to something in this book and we have re-read it many times.
9. Zoo by Gail Gibbons
Find Online
Gail Gibbons has created countless non-fiction books devoted to clear, concise details perfect for young children. This account of a zoo trip follows two children as they weave their way through the animals with intriguing facts about zoos, animals, and zoo keepers woven in.
10. Polar Bear, Polar Bear What Do You Hear? By Bill Martin Jr.
Find Online
This is a classic book and companion to the Brown Bear, Brown Bear book by the same team. Our children love this book and enjoy imitating the sounds of the different animals. They look forward to hearing any sounds from the animals at the zoo and this book captures many of their favorites.
11. Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett
Find Online
This book is laugh out loud funny and a hoot to read aloud. It does happen to be a little less about monkeys than you might think, but it’s too fun not to include here.
Find More Animal Ideas on Pinterest!
12. Abigail by Catherine Rayner
Find Online
This is a gorgeous quiet book. I am always mesmerized by Rayner’s delicate illustrations. She has a whole catalog of wonderful books but this is one of my favorites.
13. Baby Animals Take a Bath by Marsha Diane Arnold
Find Online
This is one of two adorable new board books for babies. Simple text and sweet pictures. If you have a tiny animal lover I highly recommend this board book.
14. The Bear Report by Thyra Heder
Find Online
This book is so full of love and wonder and beauty. A little girl is writing a report about polar bears. She does it quickly and dismisses the subject until a polar bear appears in her living room and gives her an unforgettable tour of his world. It sounds like kind of a weird book when I describe it, but it is told with such earnest love and care for its subject that you get swept away.
15. Don’t Wake Up the Tiger by Britta Teckentrup
Find Online
This is such a fun book. I adore Britta Teckentrup and this interactive and playful book is no exception. The animals are trying to set up for a party but they don’t want to wake up the big tiger. Can you help them?
16. Jafta by Hugh Lewin Find Online
Jafta is a darling boy who describes his feelings through the movements and actions of animals. Fans of the animal kingdom will adore this way of talking about emotions. The text is simple enough for toddlers but would also lend itself well to a discussion about similes with elementary schoolers. I love the muted palette of the illustrations and relatable topic. A fun, meaningful read aloud to share with children.
17. Vampenguin by Lucy Ruth Cummins Find Online
Where do vampires go first at the zoo? The penguin house of course, and on this particular trip the baby vampire and a penguin switch places. This is a trip to the zoo unlike any other you’ve seen. The story is cute and fun to read aloud. The illustrations are where the humor truly lies as the family misses the swap and the text often doesn’t quite match the picture with perfect comedic effect. A fun, non-scary read aloud for Halloween or any time of year.
Don’t Miss Any Book Posts! Subscribe Below.
This post was originally shared as part of the A Read A Day Challenge.
