Best Children's Pet Books

A timeless American classic and one of the most beloved children’s books ever written, Old Yeller is a Newbery Honor Book that explores the poignant and unforgettable bond between a boy and the stray dog who becomes his loyal friend. When his father sets out on a cattle drive toward Kansas for the summer, fourteen-year-old Travis Coates is left to take care of his family and their farm. But can Travis do the same for Old Yeller?

It's Christmas Eve and Spark Elf has the very important job of keeping Santa Claus on schedule as he travels the globe in 24 hours delivering presents. Six hours into the trip Santa, sleigh and crew begin to fall behind--so many cuddly doggies to pet and extra cookies to eat. Cartoon illustrations blend the modern and festive well (the microphone on Spark's headset is red-and-white striped and his phone is holly leaf green), making the book as a whole appeal to children regardless of their tech savvy.—Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library Tim Bowers began his illustrating career working as an artist for Hallmark Cards.

A little girl and her canine assistant set out to make the most magnificent thing. Clever use of artwork conveys the youngster's spectrum of emotions as she "saws and glues and adjusts," "smashes," "pummels," and "explodes" ("It is not her finest moment."). This is a solid choice with a great message that encourages kids not to quit in the face of disappointment but rather to change their perspective and start over.—Melissa Smith, Royal Oak Public Library, MI. One day, a young girl who enjoys creating things decides to build something truly special. Fanciful illustrations depict the spindly, cartoonish characters; the girl’s intricate found-object contraptions; and colorful scenarios against black-and-white line drawings of a city-neighborhood setting. With witty and whimsical elements (including the dog’s side antics), this supportively portrays the sometimes-frustrating process of translating ideas to reality and shows how a new perspective can help problem solve and rekindle enthusiasm and joy.

An all-new storybook featuring Peppa -- a lovable, slightly bossy little piggy!

Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this illustrated novel is told from the point-of-view of Ivan himself. In the tradition of timeless stories like Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little , Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan's unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope. Gr 4–6—Budding fans and die-hard Ivanites alike will appreciate this sumptuous, oversize edition of Applegate's spare yet resonant Newbery Award—winning work, inspired by actual events, about a gorilla put on display at a mall and his journey to freedom. Bonus materials add appeal and context: Applegate's Newbery acceptance speech; a copy of the real Ivan's "autograph" (fingerprint); a letter from Jodi Carrigan, the zookeeper who helped care for Ivan at Zoo Atlanta (where he lived after leaving the mall); and sketches and illustrations that were considered for the original edition.—Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal ★ “Will capture readers’ hearts and never let go. Quite simply, this story is life changing.” (Patricia MacLachlan, Newbery Medal-winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall).

Turkey is in trouble. The kind of trouble where it's almost Thanksgiving . He ties a brush on the back of his head and wears a tiny saddle because surely no one would eat a horse for dinner. When he hears Farmer Jake tell his wife that if they can't find the turkey, maybe they should eat the rooster for dinner, the protagonist comes up with the perfect ruse. A first choice for holiday collections.— Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME END "Stuffed with clever wordplay, groanable puns, and easy-to-ham-it-up animal sounds, the chuckle-inducing narrative makes a crowd-pleasing read-aloud.

In this classic of children's literature, beloved by generations of readers and listeners, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day. Perhaps the perfect children's bedtime book, Goodnight Moon is a short poem of goodnight wishes from a young rabbit preparing for--or attempting to postpone--his own slumber. In addition, an oversize board book edition of Goodnight Moon makes the great green room larger than ever, allowing readers to trace with ease the tiny mouse that appears in each spread.

--Kirkus Reviews "[C]aptivates children with poetry..." --New York Times "[A] tiny one-inch hatchling teaches the world about courage...utterly magnificent..." --San Francisco Chronicle "[B]aby turtle wins hearts everywhere, expect your kids to hug you tightafterthe first read...expect to be asked to read again and again andagain..." --USA Today "[I]'m coming Mama, I'll seeyou soon, Iknow just how, I'll follow the moon...we can't get babyturtle's song out of our heads...you wont be able to either...achinglysweet littlebedtime book for wee ones." --World Wildlife Fund "[S]tephanie Lisa Tara and Canadian illustrator Lee Edward Fodi have teamed uptocreate a lyrical rendition of a green sea turtle's first glimpse oflife. The atmosphere of a quiet but determinedstruggle tobreak free of the egg soon gives way to growing excitementas the turtle mingles with fellow hatchlings and catches his firsttemptingsensations: the smell of salt air, the sight of the moon'sglow, thegentle touch and beckoning sounds of the waves rushing toshore. The turtleis the focal point of all the pictures, with few background detailsadded.Theillustrator has carefully integrated the turtle's actions with Tara's verse which relies heavily on verbs: roll, slide,tumble......crawl, scoop, shove. From his gentle struggles to break free of his egg to his determinationtodig his way out of the sand nest, we follow the baby sea turtle on eachstep of hisinstinctive journey back to his loving mother..." Very highly recommended. "[I]'m coming Mama, I'll seeyou soon, I know just how, I'll follow the moon...we can't get babyturtle's song out of our heads...you wont be able to either...achinglysweet little bedtime book for wee ones." "[H]ats off to this turtle hatchling who has garnered millions of fans acrossthe planet...a tiny activist who is saving his own kind...bravo." "[S]tephanie Lisa Tara and Canadian illustrator Lee Edward Fodi have teamed up tocreate a lyrical rendition of a green sea turtle's first glimpse oflife. Written in simple verse in the first person, the rhythmic text is full of action and sensory detail and loaded with alliteration and onomatopoeia for an enjoyable read-aloud. The atmosphere of a quiet but determined struggle tobreak free of the egg soon gives way to growing excitement as theturtle mingles with fellow hatchlings and catches his first tempting sensations: the smell of salt air, the sight of the moon's glow, thegentle touch and beckoning sounds of the waves rushing to shore. "[F]ramed by endpapers of soft, limitless,undersea green, Fodi'sdelightful illustrations feature an animated and engaging baby emerging from an egg buried in golden sand. With other tiny turtles, he isshown plowing through the damp sand, sampling the salty sea air and marching unerringly toward the moonlight glimmer, his guide to the ocean. The illustrator has carefully integrated the turtle's actionswith Tara's verse which relies heavily on verbs: roll, slide,tumble......crawl, scoop, shove.

And every time he got’emus... he'd fall upon his bottomus!” Calamity ensues when an elephant, a centipede, and a rhinoceros try finding a cure for Hippo’s colossal case of hiccups. "...It's hard to say what's better: the whimsical, rhyming text or the beautiful colored-pencil illustrations....with funny results.

Celebrate the power of friendship with Frog and Toad—a Caldecott Honor Book! The endearing pair hop along through five enchanting stories, looking for lost buttons, greeting the spring, and waiting for mail. Arnold Lobel's comfortable brown and green illustrations invite and delight every reader, setting the tone for warm, funny stories about friendship. If you need even more of Frog and Toad, don't miss Frog and Toad Together , Frog and Toad All Year , and Days with Frog and Toad .

This classic story of a famished caterpillar who eats his way through a week of various foods makes the perfect addition to your child's digital library, easily available to read again and again. Put 42 pieces together to assemble Eric Carle's much-loved The Very Hungry Caterpillar jigsaw puzzle from Mudpuppy.

But when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild, he is forced to see their home, and his art, through new eyes. In the tradition of timeless stories like Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little , Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan's unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope. Gr 4–6—Budding fans and die-hard Ivanites alike will appreciate this sumptuous, oversize edition of Applegate's spare yet resonant Newbery Award—winning work, inspired by actual events, about a gorilla put on display at a mall and his journey to freedom. Bonus materials add appeal and context: Applegate's Newbery acceptance speech; a copy of the real Ivan's "autograph" (fingerprint); a letter from Jodi Carrigan, the zookeeper who helped care for Ivan at Zoo Atlanta (where he lived after leaving the mall); and sketches and illustrations that were considered for the original edition.—Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal ★ “Will capture readers’ hearts and never let go. Quite simply, this story is life changing.” (Patricia MacLachlan, Newbery Medal-winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall).

It will encourage your children to be helpful, kind and considerate, to think for themselves in face of trouble, and to actively pursue their dreams. Tag along for the ride to four exciting journeys that will inspire your children to be open to different cultures, see new places and explore the world around them.

Magic Tree House: Adventures with Jack and Annie, perfect for readers who are just beginning chapter books Merlin Missions: More challenging adventures for the experienced reader Super Edition: A longer and more dangerous adventure. Fact Trackers: Nonfiction companions to your favorite Magic Tree House adventures. Amazon Best Books of the Month, January 2011: The first Magic Tree House book was written by Mary Pope Osbourne in 1992, introducing young readers to the clever sibling duo, Jack and Annie, and the magical tree house that transports them on important assignments throughout history. Armed only with their courage and a trove of research books, Jack and Annie have delighted and educated young readers with their heroic adventures in time.

In this Level 1 Scholastic Reader, Alfie learns that the best way to get a delicious cookie is to say please! For kids just starting to read, this cheerful title in the Scholastic Reader series is a combination of very simple sentences and bright, clear, colorful illustrations. He comes up with three funny tricks to get his treat, but it isn't until he asks politely that Mommy gives him what he wants--along with a big hug. For kids just starting to read, this cheerful title in the Scholastic Reader series is a combination of very simple sentences and bright, clear, colorful illustrations.

The unlikely duo journeys halfway around the world to piece together an Indian prophecy, find a way to free the man trapped by a centuries-old spell, and discover the path to their true destiny. The last thing teenager Kelsey Hayes thought she'd be doing over the summer was meeting Ren, a mysterious white tiger and cursed Indian prince! The unlikely duo journeys halfway around the world to piece together an Indian prophecy, find a way to free the man trapped by a centuries-old spell, and discover the path to their true destiny. Houck: J.K Rowling ( Harry Potter Series), Chris Paolini ( Eragon Series), Stephenie Meyer ( Twilight Saga), John Steinbeck, Walter Farley, Jules Verne, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Orson Scott Card, and many more! I was fascinated with Chris Paolini’s story and when I found out he was such a young author and carried around his manuscript for four years before getting it published on his own, I was even more impressed with his grit and determination. I recently finished the Percy Jackson/Lightning Thief series which I loved and currently I’m reading The Life of Pi which I originally purchased because of the tiger on the cover, but I also have shelves full of books waiting for my attention. The next books on my list include Scott Westerfield’s Uglies trilogy, Alyson Noel’s Immortals series, and The Guardians of Gahoole by Kathryn Lasky. I originally self-published my first two books through Amazon and the reader comments created enough buzz to attract a film producer and interest from foreign publishers before I even had an agent, which I’ve learned is kind of unheard of! When 18-year-old Kelsey takes a job with a circus, she finds herself oddly attracted to the white tiger she has been hired to feed. Although her book—the first in a proposed series—is sometimes derivative, she tells a good story filled with chaste romance that will keep readers turning pages to the inconclusive ending.

Beloved children's books author and illustrator Daniel Kirk wonderfully brings to life the story of Sam, a library mouse. Sam read so much that finally one day he decided to write books himself! During the day he sleeps, but at night he reads all kinds of books. This is ready-made to introduce a classroom writing activity, though some of the pictures are too small to be appreciated in a large-group readaloud. Cummins, Julie Daniel Kirk has illustrated a number of popular books for children, among them Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo!, which School Library Journal called “an instant hit with young children.” He has also both written and illustrated books, among them Snow Dude , which Booklist said “[crackles] with excitement and mischief . , which School Library Journal called “a lively trip that’s loaded with fun.” Daniel lives in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, with his wife and three children.