Zoo Books for Kids
Before becoming a mom, I worked at the Philadelphia Zoo for almost a decade. This is why my home library has been stocked with zoo books for kids since the first day I brought my babies home from the hospital.
I’ve read everything from middle grade novels to board books to picture books about the zoo, over the past 14 years. So I created the list below to fulfill my own desire to walk down memory lane, while also providing the best recommendations for your home library.
Please let me know if you’ve read any of the stories on the list or if your favorite zoo animal books are missing! I’m always looking to relive those magical zoo moments!
The Best Zoo Books for Kids
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
The Best Zoo Book for Babies
Good Night Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann – Jump to section
The Best Zoo Book for Preschoolers
Ellie by Mike Wu – Jump to section
The Best Zoo Picture Book
Fraidy Zoo by Thyra Heder – Jump to section
The Best Zoo Book for Tweens
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate – Jump to section
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Zoo Animal Books for Babies
Good Night, Gorilla
Author: Peggy Rathmann
Illustrator: Peggy Rathmann
Year: 1996
Genre: Board Book
Age: 1 – 3
Plot
This book is hilarious and a favorite in our house to this day. The sweet animals and the completely clueless zookeeper are laugh-out-loud funny. One of my oldest son’s first words was “armadillo” which says something about how amusing this book is.
Why Jackie loves it
This wordless picture book is perfect for making up new stories. It’s a creative exercise in storytelling that will delight over and over.
Find this book in: Zoo Books / Bedtime Stories for Kids / Best Books for 1-year-Olds / Wordless Picture Books / Animal Children’s Books
Plot
The descriptions of the animals in this zoo book are so funny. The flaps are fun for little ones and as kids get older, they realize how silly it is to write to the zoo for a pet.
Why Kirsten loves it
This book was an absolute favorite in our house. Its lift-the-flap pages make it a fun interactive book for babies and toddlers.
Find this book in: Zoo Books, Best Books for a 1-year-old, First Books for Newborns
And Tango Makes Three
Author: Justin Richardson, Peter Parnell
Illustrator: Henry Cole
Year: 2015
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 1 – 5
More info:
Plot
An amazing story about two male penguins adopting a penguin. Adorable text and photos will expose your child to this unique and true story while also teaching a lesson that there are many different kinds of families.
Why Kirsten loves it
This book is a cuddly way to teach a child that love is love. After reading, look up the images of the real penguins that inspired this book.
Find this book in: Zoo Books / Banned Books / Father’s Day Picture Books / Books for a 3-year-olds
Preschool Books about the Zoo
Fiona The Hippo
Author: Richard Cowdrey
Illustrator: Richard Cowdrey
Year: 2018
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 1 – 4
Plot
This picture book fictionalizes the true story of Fiona, the premature baby hippo born at the Cincinatti Zoo. Her struggles and ability to grow rocketed her to fame as the whole world cheered her on.
Why Jackie loves it
It’s never too early for picture books based on true stories! This one teaches resilience to kids.
Ellie
Author: Mike Wu
Illustrator: Mike Wu
Year: 2015
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 2 – 7
More info: Ellie #1
Plot
Ellie the elephant is trying to stop the Zoo from closing with all of her zoo friends. All the other animals chip in to clean up the zoo, but as a baby, she isn’t quite sure how to help.
Then she finds a paintbrush and created art on the wall of the zoo. Soon people are flocking to the Zoo to be painted by Ellie!
Why Kirsten loves it
Ellie’s ability to find her own creative way to help out is a great lesson for kids. I love books that inspire creativity and problem solving for little ones.
Finding Winnie
Author: Lindsey Mattick
Illustrator: Sophie Blackall
Year: 2015
Genre: Nonfiction Picture Book
Age: 3 – 7
More info: Caldecott Medal Winner
Plot
This is the amazing and true story of the most beloved of all bears- Winnie the Pooh. In 1914, a military veterinarian name Harry Colebourn rescued a baby bear and named him Winnie after his hometown of Winnipeg, Canada.
That bear found his way to the London zoo where he became friends with a little boy named Christopher Robin. The best part? This is a true story told by Harry Colebourn’s great-granddaughter.
Why Jackie loves it
The book has an album at the back filled with pictures. It is an adorable book that I know I will be giving to Winnie the Pooh lovers of all ages.
Baby’s First Bank Heist
Author: Jim Whalley
Illustrator: Stephen Collins
Year: 2018
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 3 – 7
Plot
This book is a completely hilarious tale about a baby who loves animals and will go to any lengths to ensure that he has a pet (or two or ten) of his own – even robbing a bank!!!Â
Why Kirsten loves it
It is such a funny and silly story, you will definitely enjoy reading it as much as your little one and the illustrations are so fun to peer over!
Find this book in: Zoo Books for Kids / Baby Boy’s Library
A Sick Day for Amos McGee
Author: Philip C. Stead
Illustrator: Erin E. Stead
Year: 2010
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 2 – 5
More info: Caldecott Medal Winner
Plot
Amos McGee works at the city zoo, where he takes care of all his favorite animals. He plays chess with the elephant, races the tortoise, and helps the rhino blow his nose, among other things.
One day, Amos gets a cold that keeps him home sick from work, so his animal friends hop on the bus to take care of him!
Why Jackie loves it
It’s got a lovely message about being there for your friends, and what child wouldn’t love the idea of having zoo animals visit their home!
Picture Books about the Zoo
Wild About Books
Author: Judy Sierra
Illustrator: Marc Brown
Year: 2004
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 2 – 7
Plot
When the Library on Wheels accidentally ends up in the zoo, the animals are quick to take to begin learning to read! Soon, Molly, the sweet librarian, is fulfilling book requests left and right.
Why Kirsten loves it
I love seeing the different genres read by each animal. Rhyming prose and pretty pictures make this story a must-read!
Vampenguin
Author: Lucy Ruth Cummins
Illustrator: Lucy Ruth Cummins
Year: 2021
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 4 – 8
Plot
The Dracula family goes on a visit to the zoo in this charming tale. When baby vampire decides to hang out with the penguins and put a penguin in his stroller instead. As the rest of the family explores the zoo, he experiences life as a penguin!
Why Jackie loves it
This book is perfect for Halloween but can be kept out all year. It’s so funny to see a fantasy creature in an ordinary location like a zoo. Cummins’ illustrations are so adorable too!
Find this book in: Halloween Books for Kids / Zoo Books
Plot
This is one of the cutest alphabet books in my collection. A little girl is afraid of something at the zoo, but can’t remember what. So her family dresses up as different animals in A-to-Z order to help her overcome her fear.
Why Kirsten loves it
With vivid images depicting homemade animals of every letter, there is so much to see in this fun tale.
Find this book in: Alphabet Books / Best Books for 7-year-olds / Zoo Books
Middle Grade Zoo Kids Books
Belly Up
Author: Stuart Gibbs
Year: 2010
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery
Age: 9 – 12
More info: Fun Jungle #1
Plot
After a hippo dies at FunJungle Zoo, it’s up to Teddy and his friend Summer to prove that the Hippo was murdered. But investigating Hippo’s homicide is a dangerous affair. This funny story kept this former zoo employee quite entertained.
Why Jackie loves it
A funny, clever story that’s the first in the FunJungle series by Stuart Gibbs.
Find this book in: Books for 10-year-olds / Zoo Books / Best Middle Grade Books / Best Mystery Books for Tweens
Winnie’s Great War
Author: Lindsay Mattick and Josh Greenhut
Illustrator: Sophie Blackall
Year: 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age: 8 – 12
Plot
This book is based on the real story of the world’s most famous bear, Winnie the Pooh. From his beginnings in the forests of Canada to the London Zoo where he met the real Christopher Robin, this book mixes one part imagination and one part history to create Winnie’s first big adventure.
Why Jackie loves it
It’s the perfect chapter book for older readers, particularly those who love the Caldecott medal winner, Finding Winnie.
Find this book in: Animal Books / Books for 9-year-olds
The One and Only Ivan
Author: Katherine Applegate
Year: 2012
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Age: 8 – 10
More info: One and Only Ivan #1
Plot
Based on the true story of Ivan, a gorilla trapped in a shopping mall, this feel-good story is one of the best family audiobooks for any road trip.
Stella, a young girl gets Ivan to start painting again and she realizes how lonely he is. Bob, a stray dog, works to help Ivan and Ruby, a baby elephant, garner the attention they need to be sent to a better home.
Trigger Warnings
Animal Cruelty
Why Jackie loves it
This book will touch your heart. Even though there are sad parts in this book, the ending will make it worthwhile. This is one of the best animal fiction books for middle grade and adults.
Find this book in: Books for 9-year-olds / Zoo Books / Family Audiobooks / Animal Novels / Audiobooks for Kids / Newbery Award Winners / Best Middle Grade Fiction
Expert Tip
- You really can’t go wrong with any of the books on this list; just be sure to check the age range to find something appropriate for the child in your life.
- Don’t be afraid to give picture books up or down a few years, though! I think a great picture book is a family heirloom.
- Have an antsy kiddo? Bring one of these fun books to your next zoo outing and see how many animals from the book you can find in real life!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zoobooks?
While not a book about the zoo, Zoobooks is a magazine that is produced by Ranger Rick each month. Each issue focuses on a different subspecies for an in-depth look at animals across the globe.
Are there any good zoo stories for tweens?
Yes! The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate is one of the best zoo novels out there. There are also 3 more books in the series, making it perfect for readers who get attached to the characters and want to find out what happens to them next!
Related Content
Epilogue
While my love for zoo stories is well documented, I’m curious which of these zoo books for kids you love? Do you have any recommendations for me?
