It’s a Jungle in Here: 11 Animal Books for Babies

Before I had children, I hadn’t read a book about animals in probably two decades. Now, four years into this parenting gig, I’ve read somewhere in the vicinity of ten million animal books.

There are plenty of really uninspired ones, but there are some gems that make me happy to read about the same animals over and over again.

If, like my girls, your little ones love animals, here are some great books to start you both out.

My Very First Book of Animal Sounds

by Eric Carle

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No young reader’s library is complete without a few Eric Carle favorites, and this one is especially engaging as it asks little ones to match animal sounds with their accompanying creature. Its companion book, My Very First Book of Animal Homes, is a charming one, too.

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Jonny Lambert's Animal 123

by Jonny Lambert

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This sturdy board book is filled with delightful animal surprises under each flap. The combination of counting and animals is top-notch and the illustrations are sweet and simple.

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Penguin Problems

by Jory John, illustrated by Lane Smith

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It’s not all fun and games in the Antarctic, and this hilarious take on penguins will have both adults and children laughing. Can you imagine always being cold? Or looking like everyone else? A slapstick story that celebrates an animal favorite.

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Good Night, Gorilla

by Peggy Rathmann

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From Caldecott-winning author, Peggy Rathmann, this has been one of our very favorite animal books. As the zookeeper locks up for the night, a tricky gorilla trails behind him letting out each of the animals, who then proceed to follow the zookeeper home. It’s nearly wordless, so it’s perfect for those nights when you don’t want to skip a story, but you also don’t want something too lengthy.

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Night Animals

by Gianna Marino

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Night Animals is a raucous and joyful celebration of the animals we don’t get to see too much of — nocturnal ones! Goofy and giggle-inducing, it has the added bonus of showing young children that nighttime isn’t scary after all.

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Richard Scarry's The Rooster Struts

by Richard Scarry

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Richard Scarry’s The Rooster Struts is an extra-tall, extra-fun book that explores the ways animals get around: roosters strut, frogs hop, birds fly, and so on. It’s a great activity book that will get kids moving.

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Big and Little

by Harriet Evans, illustrated by Linda Tordoff

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Linda Tordoff’s artwork is delightful, and Big and Little teaches children all about contrasts and contradictions, while they also get to coo and squeal over familiar animals. Did we mention it's also a lift-the-flap book?

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Mrs. Peanuckle's Bird Alphabet

by Mrs. Peanuckle, illustrated by Jessie Ford

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Look to the sky in Mrs. Peanuckle’s Bird Alphabet and learn all about 26 species of birds from across the globe. Part of a series that explores nature in our own backyards, this one will have littles paying close attention to their local birds.

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Pouch!

by David Ezra Stein

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This book doesn’t have a lot of words, but it is a favorite at our house. A little kangaroo ventures out of the pouch to see other animals, but is quickly frightened back in after each encounter — until he meets someone he recognizes.

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Baby 101: Zoology for Babies

by Jonathan Litton, illustrated by Thomas Elliott

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The Baby 101 series is a great educational resource, and with Zoology for Babies, they’ll get a bright and fact-filled board book about animals’ habitats, diets, families, and more. It’s never too early to start enjoying nonfiction!

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Dream Animals

by Emily Winfield Martin

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This whimsical board book is perfect for bedtime reading. It prompts little ones to imagine the dream animal that will whisk them away to their dreams — and where they might travel in their dreams, too.

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Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2024.