Books about animals for young readers

Who Wants To Be a Poodle I Don't

Enjoy some of our recommended books for younger children about animals, from classics like Dick King-Smith's Sheep Pig to modern favourites like Ed Vere's Mr. Big.

These books are perefect to cuddle up and read with little ones, and for more confident kids to read themselves. 

  • Notso Hotso

    Author: Ann Fine Illustrator: Tony Ross

    Interest level: 6-10

    Reading age: 7+

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  • Notso Hotso

    Author: Ann Fine Illustrator: Tony Ross

    Interest level: 6-10

    Reading age: 7+

    Anthony, a very vain dog, is horrified when his fur starts to fall out in clumps. On a humiliating trip to the vet, his body is sh…

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  • The Sheep-Pig

    Author: Dick King-Smith Illustrator: Mike Terry

    Interest level: 6+

    Reading age: 7+

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  • The Sheep-Pig

    Author: Dick King-Smith Illustrator: Mike Terry

    Interest level: 6+

    Reading age: 7+

    When Farmer Hogget wins a piglet at the fair, he is amazed that Fly, his sheep-dog, welcomes him as one of her own pups.

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  • Banana!

    Author: Ed Vere Illustrator: Ed Vere

    Interest level: 2+

    Reading age: 5+

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  • Banana!

    Author: Ed Vere Illustrator: Ed Vere

    Interest level: 2+

    Reading age: 5+

    Follow the cartoon-style adventures of two monkeys. One of them has a banana and the other one wants it - but what is the magic wo…

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  • Mr Big

    Author: Ed Vere

    Interest level: 3-5

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  • Mr Big

    Author: Ed Vere

    Interest level: 3-5

    Reading age:

    With its gruff hero, vibrant, strong colours, bold design and spare text, this story about looking beyond appearances has a satisf…

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  • This is Not My Hat

    Author: Jon Klassen

    Interest level: 3+

    Reading age: 5+

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  • This is Not My Hat

    Author: Jon Klassen

    Interest level: 3+

    Reading age: 5+

    A little fish has stolen an equally small bowler hat from a much bigger fish. Hiding himself in the weedsm, he is confident he won…

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  • Hairy Maclary's Bone

    Author: Lynley Dodd

    Interest level: 3+

    Reading age: 6+

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  • Hairy Maclary's Bone

    Author: Lynley Dodd

    Interest level: 3+

    Reading age: 6+

    Hairy Maclary is lucky enough to be given a big juicy bone by the butcher, Samuel Stone. This does not go unnoticed by all the oth…

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  • The Getaway

    Author: Ed Vere

    Interest level: 4+

    Reading age: 6+

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  • The Getaway

    Author: Ed Vere

    Interest level: 4+

    Reading age: 6+

    Notorious cheese thief Fingers McGraw is on the run (or rather, on the moped) from chief law enforcer The Elephant.

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  • 1, 2, 3 to the Zoo

    Author: Eric Carle

    Interest level: 1-5

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  • 1, 2, 3 to the Zoo

    Author: Eric Carle

    Interest level: 1-5

    Reading age:

    Glorious two-dimensional illustrations in soft sponge-prints bring the animals to life and encourage counting without the need for…

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  • Tim's Din

    Author: Monica Hughes Illustrator: Bill Ledger

    Interest level: 3+

    Reading age: 4+

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  • Tim's Din

    Author: Monica Hughes Illustrator: Bill Ledger

    Interest level: 3+

    Reading age: 4+

    Tim’s Din is a lively and entertaining story about the mischief that little monkeys can get up to when they’re bored.

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  • Macavity

    Author: T. S. Eliot Illustrator: Arthur Robins

    Interest level: 3+

    Reading age: 4+

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  • Macavity

    Author: T. S. Eliot Illustrator: Arthur Robins

    Interest level: 3+

    Reading age: 4+

    Escaped from Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, Macavity is now the star of his own picture book. With new illustrations from Ar…

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  • Max the Brave

    Author: Ed Vere

    Interest level: 3+

    Reading age: 6+

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  • Max the Brave

    Author: Ed Vere

    Interest level: 3+

    Reading age: 6+

    Max the kitten is Brave - which is why he doesn't like being dressed up in ribbons. He sets out to find a mouse to chase, but he d…

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  • Where Bear?

    Author: Sophy Henn

    Interest level: 2+

    Reading age: 5+

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  • Where Bear?

    Author: Sophy Henn

    Interest level: 2+

    Reading age: 5+

    When a little boy's pet polar bear grows up, he's too big for the house, and has to be found a new home. But where?

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  • Fish is Fish

    Author: Leo Lionni

    Interest level: 3-6

    Reading age: 6+

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  • Fish is Fish

    Author: Leo Lionni

    Interest level: 3-6

    Reading age: 6+

    A classic picture book with whimsical, textured illustrations exploring some basic philosophical questions and offering reassuranc…

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  • Lion Practice

    Author: Emma Carlisle

    Interest level: 2-5

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  • Lion Practice

    Author: Emma Carlisle

    Interest level: 2-5

    Reading age:

    Laura goes to long and noisry lengths to remind her mum and dad she's still there after a new sibling arrives on the scene.

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  • Poo in the Zoo

    Author: Steve Smallman Illustrator: Ada Grey

    Interest level: 3-7

    Reading age: 6+

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  • Poo in the Zoo

    Author: Steve Smallman Illustrator: Ada Grey

    Interest level: 3-7

    Reading age: 6+

    Zoo keeper Bob McGew calls in poo expert Hector Glopp when an iguana poops a big lime green poo.

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