Good reading habits start at a young age. The excitement of reading and checking out books from the school library seems like something in the past. We need to get children and tweens off the screens and back to the magic of reading paper books.
Animal Chapter Books for Pre-K to Elementary
1. Marisupal Sue and the Australian Outback
This is a well-loved book written by actor J. Lithgow for preschoolers and first graders. Sue has the dilemma of not knowing where she fits in. So she heads off on a journey to discover herself. But sometimes the grass isn't greener on the other side!
Learn More: Amazon
2. Catwings
City cats set off on an amazing adventure to the countryside. In this beautifully illustrated book, cat friends discover what it is like to be in contact with nature and meet new furry friends and wild creatures along the way.
Learn More: Amazon
3. Sloths don't run
This is a classic tale of not giving up and perseverance. The impossible becomes possible when these unusual pairs work together to defeat the challenges they run into. They have teamed up to conquer the Great Rainforest Race without throwing in the towel.
Learn More: Amazon
4. The Cricket in Times Square
Set in the Big Apple where the two main characters meet an unusual tourist who arrived by picnic basket and wants to explore the city. The trio has some wild adventures that will keep you on your toes.
Learn More: Amazon
5. Harry the Dirty Dog
If you haven't read this beloved book, it is a must-read for all ages, especially for PreK-2nd grade. Harry the Dirty Dog has some hilarious adventures with a hidden moral too. Easy to read and follow a long series.
Learn More: Amazon
6. Sharks!
Children of all ages love danger, and they have no fear. That's why this chapter book is so important to learn the facts in a fun way about sharks and their habitat in a colorful, exciting way.
Learn More: Amazon
7. Catnapped!
This is a great series. Great pictures, funny storyline, and for all those Paw Patrol fans out there, they will love it. All aboard for some action adventures where the puppies are in hot water!
Learn More: Amazon
8. A Duck in the Fridge
This is such a fun book. It is about a father telling a crazy bedtime story about how he found a duck in the fridge. What comes next is something that will excite your little ones. Great for Preschool - 3rd grade!
Learn More: Amazon
9. Ferdinand
One of the book recommendations I can make is a beautifully written story for children PreK- 2nd grade. It is about ethics, personal values, making choices, and standing your ground for something that you believe in. Ferdinand is a calm and content bull until his whole world is turned upside down, and now he has to fight in the bullring!
Learn More: Prindle Institute
10. Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig
Mercy Watson is an adorable Pig who gets into a lot of mischiefs. This time Mercy has the whole town up in arms when everyone's flowers disappear. Only Mercy knows what happened to the flowers!
Learn More: Amazon
11. Bird & Squirrel
This hysterical animal comic book is an amusing story. Bird and squirrel have ended up in one of the coldest places on Earth, and now with "Brian Freeze", they have to try and save the penguins from a huge whale.
Learn More: Amazon
12. Dolphin Rescue
The importance of learning about the environment and plastic in the sea is imperative. In this book, it's a bit of a twist between fiction and non-fiction. Can Maddie and Atticus solve the rubbish mystery? Learn cool facts too.
Learn More: Amazon
13. The Poet's dog
This is a dramatic book about a poet, a dog, and two children. A heart-warming tale of a talking dog who suddenly helps two children who are trapped. This magical creature was raised by a poet who lives deep in the woods. Now as the story unfolds, they find themselves all needing each other's help and love to survive.
Learn More: Amazon
14. The Bad Guys
A wolf, piranha, snake, and a shark = The Bad Guys!
This is an amusing animal chapter book and is a great start for reluctant readers. These animals feel like they have been given a bad reputation! Now they want to "do GOOD"
A hilarious book filled with action and adventure!
Learn More: Amazon
15. 125 True Stories of Amazing Animal Friendships
4th graders love true stories, especially ones about animals. In this book, there are more than 100 true stories about amazing animal friendships. Against all odds, these creatures have come together to bond and support one another. You won't believe your eyes who have paired up to be pals.
Learn More: Amazon
16. Shark school
Three books in one in the animal chapter book Shark School. The classic story about A Boy who cried "Shark". Then we have a "Finn-tastic" Finish about a sports race and the meaning of friendship. Finally, we finish it off with a Splash- Dance competition. Great fun!
Learn More: Amazon
17. Ereth's Birthday
Book number 5 in the Poppy Series. Ereth the porcupine wants to celebrate his birthday with a special salty snack, but his best friend Poppy, the deer, is nowhere to be found. Ereth sets off on his own, deep in the woods to get his birthday treat. No matter what! Ereth's special day takes some twists and turns in adventure and drama.
Learn More: Amazon
Animal Chapter Books for Middle School
18. Crenshaw
Jackson's family is having a tough time it's a day-to-day struggle to survive. Soon, they might be living on the streets. Then Crenshaw comes back, Jackson's imaginary cat friend. Can Crenshaw help Jackson find a solution to his problems? This book touches the heart of the young and old. A must-read.
Learn More: Amazon
19. Flora Ulysses
Flora rescues a squirrel from a very scary moment. Flora is always very cynical. She never would have believed it, unless she saw it with her own eyes. A true resurrection of a Super squirrel. The adventures they will have are hilarious!
Learn More: Amazon
20. Watership Down
This is truly a story that all middle schoolers should read. In a very gripping and heart-warming way, you feel the struggle of companionship, bullying, racism, and how colonies of rabbits learn how to live and survive in the wild together. 5th-8th grade will love the action, drama, and romance of Fiver and his friends.
Learn More: Amazon
21. HERO
HERO will keep tweens reading to find out what will happen to Ben's father who has been abducted by convicts. Ben is desperately searching for his dad and his dog Hero has lost his sense of smell. Can they find Ben's Dad before it's too late?
Learn More: Amazon
22. Song for a whale
For Iris growing up deaf has been challenging. She would feel lonely or just left out. Just like Blue 55 a huge whale who was lost and depressed in the sea because he could not hear the calls of the whales like others. Then Iris had a great idea that would change both of their worlds.
Learn More: Amazon
23. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
The rats of NIMH escaped the lab and now they are living life in the city copying humans. Drugging the cats so they won't be killed, finding housing, installing light and water, just like humans. They are learning how to read, work machines, and advance in their colonies while watching out for the humans who despise them.
Learn More: Amazon
24. A Wolf called Wander
This is a story about a young wolf called Swift who had to beat all odds in crossing treacherous terrains to make it home alive. It is a race against the clock. Based on a true story, there are many twists and turns that will keep you reading.
Learn More: Amazon
25. On the road to Mr. Mineo's
Mr. Mineo is worried about his missing pigeon. Sherman, the one-legged pigeon, has escaped, or should we say has decided to take a little adventure. Poor Mr. Mineo, will he get back his homing pigeon or will Sherman's luck run out?
Learn More: Amazon
26. Shiloh
Abuse, theft, and secrets Matty Preston keeps digging himself deeper and deeper into trouble. After rescuing Shiloh a beagle, desperately in need of his help. Marty has to keep the secret that he has stolen Shiloh from his abusive neighbor. A story of lies and blackmail.
Learn More: Amazon
27. OLGA
"Meh, Meh " OLGA cries out for her newfound creature. Where is that smelly thing? This olive-eating strange creature comes into her life and she is trying to figure out what it is and what can she do with it. But when "Meh" goes missing, things get mysteriously weird!
Learn More: Amazon
28. The Golden Goose
Farmer Skint's luck has run out and money is tight. He prays for a miracle and sure enough, he is granted one. The family's goose lays a golden egg and out pops the Golden Goose and things are starting to look up for the farmer and his newfound fame.
Learn More: Amazon
29. Warriors
What is a house cat doing in the wilderness among wild cats who consider themselves warriors? These clans of cats have survived for years without the helping hand of a human. When this entitled spoiled feline lands himself in the middle of a murder mystery will he be next?
Learn More: Amazon
30. Duckworth
How would you feel if your parents told others "Our son is a difficult child"? In addition to that, they never believe anything you say. So you can imagine what a predicament Duckworth was in when he was accidental, swallowed whole by a Python and his mom thought he was playing dress-up! A great read for all tweens.
Learn More: Bookroo
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