Pets are often the first animals that preschoolers have interactions with. Preschoolers love to talk about their pets or the pets of friends.
This list of 29 picture books about pets for preschoolers is a great resource for your pet theme, a part of a family study, or an exploration of animals.
Pet Books For Preschoolers
Not That Pet! by Halls Smriti – Mabel and her family are getting a pet! There’s no time to lose! But which kind of animal should they choose?
Some Pets, by Angela DiTerlizzi – It’s time for the pet show. Some pets can do one thing and some pets do another. This book celebrates animal companions of all shapes and sizes.
Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings – Arfy is a homeless mutt who lives in a box in an alley. Arfy writes to every person on Butternut Street about what a great pet he’d make. Readers will be happily surprised to learn just who steps up to adopt Arfy.
The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! by Mo Willems – The Pigeon really, really, REALLY wants a puppy. He’ll take really good care of it, he promises! Don’t you want him to be happy?
Preschool Books About Pets
Not Norman: A Goldfish Story, by Kelly Bennett
A boy receives Norman, the goldfish, as a birthday present. After planning to give away the fish, the boy discovers that Norman isn’t such a bad pet after all.
My Pet Wants a Pet, by Elise Broach – A boy wants a pet to care for. He gets a puppy and takes really great care of the puppy. But then the puppy wants someone to care for. He gets a cat. But then the cat wants someone to care for…and on and on it goes.
My Pet Goldfish, by Catherine Rayner – Follow Richard the growing goldfish from an indoor tank to an outdoor pond in a story filled with gorgeous illustrations and fascinating facts.
What If We Had a Pet Shark? by Deanna Chesley – Ellie uses her imagination and wonders what her life would be like to live with many different animals found at the zoo. This rhyming book has some fun illustrations!
Books About Pets for Preschool
Lola Gets a Cat, by Anna McQuinn – Lola learns about caring for a pet in this simple and sweet story about welcoming a new kitty.
Bark, George, by Jules Feiffer – When George’s mother tells her son to bark, George goes “Meow,” which definitely isn’t right because George is a dog. When she asks him again, he goes “Oink.” What’s going on with George?
Good Dog, Carl, by Alexandra Day
Follow the day of Carl and his baby with this fun (nearly) wordless book.
Harry the Dirty Dog, by Gene Zion – A beloved classic about a stubborn dog who absolutely refuses bath time and makes a mess.
Please, Puppy, Please, by Spike Lee
A pair of children follow a troublesome puppy throughout the day…and end with snuggling.
Books About Pets for Kids
Cookie’s Week, by Cindy Ward
Cookie the cat’s week is full of trouble.
Mama Cat Has Three Kittens, by Denise Fleming
Mama Cat has three kittens. Two kittens follow her lead but one is always napping. What will the third kitten do when Mama and the others decide to nap?
I Wanna Iguana, by Karen Kaufman Orloff
Alex just has to convince his mom to let him have an iguana, so he puts his arguments in writing. He promises that she won’t have to feed it or clean its cage or even see it if she doesn’t want to. Of course Mom imagines life with a six-foot-long iguana eating them out of house and home.
Strictly No Elephants, by Lisa Mantchev
Today is Pet Club day. There will be cats and dogs and fish, but strictly no elephants are allowed. The Pet Club doesn’t understand that pets come in all shapes and sizes, just like friends. Now it is time for a boy and his tiny pet elephant to show them what it means to be a true friend.
Truman, by Jean Reidy
After his best friend Sarah leaves for her first day of school, a tortoise named Truman goes on an adventure across the living room and learns to be brave in this thoughtful and heartwarming twist on a first experience story.
Books About Pets
Pet Dogs Up Close, by Erika L. Shores
Pet dogs have cool body parts that wag, sniff, and chew. Take an up close look at these furry, four legged friends.
They All Saw a Cat, by Brendan Wenzel
A cat walks through the world. Each animal the cat encounters perceives the cat in a slightly different way.
I Don’t Know What to Call My Cat, by Simon Philip
A cat shows up at a little girl’s house and decides to stay. There’s just one problem. The girl cannot find a name that fits.
A Cat and a Dog, by Claire Masurel
A cat and a dog live in the same house. But they fight all the time. Will they ever be friends?
Check out this research-based, playful learning unit in our curriculum shop!
Pet Theme Bundle
18 of our most popular pet theme resources, including math, literacy, and dramatic play! Make learning fun with these hands-on resources!
Caring for Your Pets, by Ann Owen
Discover ways veterinarians help you care for your pets.
Pet Cats Up Close, by Gillia M. Olson
Pet cats have cool body parts to help them leap, play, and hunt. Take an up close look at these curious, four legged friends.
Stick! by Andy Pritchett
Puppy looks for someone to play with him and his new stick.
What Pet to Get, by Emma Dodd
Jack’s mother says he can choose a pet. But what pet to get? Jack considers several possibilities before reaching a surprise decision.
Books About Pet Adoption
I’ll Be Your Dog, by P. Crumble
Follow Retriever Reg as she shows the ups and downs of life at the dog shelter.
Picking Pickle, by Polly Faber
It can be a pickle to pick the right dog. Take a guided tour of the dogs’ home with one characterful canine – he’s been there the longest and knows everyone, so he’ll make sure you bring home the perfect companion.
I Found a Kitty! by Troy Cummings
Lucky dog Arfy has a home. When he discovers a homeless kitten, Arfy hopes Scamper can come live with him, but–achoo!–his person is allergic to cats! So, Arfy writes persuasive letters to prospective owners about what a great pet Scamper would make.
Having the best books to read-aloud to your students during a pet theme is important, but if you really want to go all in on a pets theme, then you need my Pets Theme Bundle. This bundle includes literacy and math small group activities, circle time, emotions, fine motor, dramatic play – and more!
