When I buy presents for children, I always include a book. It is also my absolute favourite thing for my children to receive. There is something so special about seeing a little one get excited about a new book, and nothing lights up the eyes of my three year old like a book about an animal. Bonus points if the animal is the main character and does “human” things. The following are four of our favourites, and my most gifted choices for toddlers and preschool aged little ones.
The Pigeon Needs a Bath!
Written and illustrated by Mo Willems
This book (and any of the pigeon books by Mo Willems) are, in my opinion, the equivalent to adult humour in children’s movies. I also feel like the pigeon is modeled after a toddler, which just makes me love and relate to these books even more. In this installment, the pigeon is stinky and is being reminded that he needs to take a bath. After he tells the reader he does not need a bath, he argues about everything from the water being too cold, having too many toys and of course that the water is too reflective. It ends with him loving his bath and not wanting to get out.
Written by Doreen Cronin
This book is the “chicka chicka boom boom” of the animal section. As a substitute teacher, I have read this book more then I can count in the classrooms. I also read it at home at least 5 times a week. Something about the idea of cows using a typewriter and making demands to the farmer makes you just love cows a little bit more and cause little ones to howl with laughter.
The Gruffalo
Written by Julia Donaldson
The Gruffalo is only one of the amazing collection of books by this author. They are all in our regular rotation and I can recite many of them by heart at this point. I often find rhyming books difficult to read out loud, but the author has such a talent with words that they just roll off your tongue when you read these stories. The characters have personality, spunk and are downright intelligent. We also have this story on cd and it is a favorite for listening to during play time. And yes there is ” no such thing as a Gruffalo” but after you read this you will think there should be.
Grumpy Cat
Written & illustrated by Britta Teckentrup
This little book about a grumpy cat who ends up taking a little kitten under his wing packs a big punch of heart in a little package. The lesson of making friends and helping others in a adorable fuzzy package – could there be anything cuter? This also comes in board book form and is great for those just starting with story books.
What are your favourite animal read alouds?
pomelo / 5628 posts
Love this post! Oh No! by Candace Fleming is a beautiful sing-songy read although it’s slightly dark. (Tiger is trying to eat the other animals and then gets stuck in a hole.) We also love Harry the Dirty Dog.
honeydew / 7504 posts
D loved The Gruffalo so much I had to hide it for a bit! We watched the movie during a sick day and it was really cute. I’m not sure if you count it as an animal book, but D really likes Sleep Like a Tiger. It’s not really about animals, but they talk about how different animals sleep. The illustrations in the book are incredible, too.