10+ Best Animal Books for 1-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the lookout for the perfect bedtime stories to captivate your little one's imagination? Look no further than our curated selection of animal books for 1-year-olds! These charming reads are not only fun but also instrumental in introducing the wonders of the animal kingdom to your toddler. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks that are sure to delight and educate your child, making storytime the most awaited part of your day!

Fun Animal Books for 1-Year-Olds

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Children's Literature, Pattern Books
  • Synopsis: A delightful patterned text where a brown bear and other creatures are asked what they see, leading to a chain of colorful animals and a surprise ending.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and rhythmic text makes it a joy for young children to listen to and helps them anticipate what comes next, which is great for their developing cognitive abilities.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy colorful illustrations and rhythmic, repetitive texts.

• Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Lift-the-Flap Book
  • Synopsis: A child writes to the zoo asking them to send a pet. The zoo sends various unsuitable pets that are all sent back, leading to a perfect ending.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's interactive with flaps to lift, which engages young readers physically and mentally, and it teaches about animals and adjectives in a fun way.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy interactive reading and learning about different animals.

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Children's Literature, Counting Book
  • Synopsis: This classic follows a caterpillar as it eats its way through a variety of foods before finally pupating and emerging as a butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines simple counting with a beautiful story of transformation, making it both educational and visually captivating.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are learning to count and are interested in nature and metamorphosis.

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Bedtime Story
  • Synopsis: Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare express their love for each other, trying to measure how much they love each other.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that beautifully illustrates the boundless nature of love between a parent and child.
  • Perfect for: Young children and parents looking for a tender bedtime story to share.

• Moo, Baa, La La La! by Sandra Boynton
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Animal Sounds
  • Synopsis: This amusing board book features various animals and the sounds they make, presented in a humorous and simple rhyming text.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces animal sounds in a fun and playful way, encouraging children to mimic the sounds and thus aiding in their language development.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy making noises and learning about different animals through sound.

Educational Animal Books for 1-Year-Olds

• Peek-a Who? by Nina Laden
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Interactive Book
  • Synopsis: This engaging board book uses rhyming riddles and colorful illustrations with die-cut windows that hint at what's to come, leading to a delightful surprise at the end.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, sensory skills, and prediction
  • Why we recommend this book: Its simple yet mysterious format captivates young minds, encouraging interaction and engagement with each page turn.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers who love peekaboo games and playful surprises.

• Touch and Feel: Farm by DK
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, Sensory Book
  • Synopsis: This tactile book introduces children to farm animals through touch-and-feel elements on each page, from a fuzzy duckling to a woolly sheep.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sensory development, animal recognition, and vocabulary
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a hands-on experience that helps build sensory awareness and enhances learning about farm animals.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy experiencing textures and learning about animals in an interactive way.

• Baby Touch and Feel: Animals by DK
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, Sensory Book
  • Synopsis: This board book features various animals with touch-and-feel panels so babies can explore different textures from a fluffy bunny to a scaly lizard.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Tactile skills, animal identification, and early language skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It stimulates tactile senses while also introducing babies to a range of animals, enhancing both sensory and language development.
  • Perfect for: Infants and toddlers who are beginning to explore the world through touch.

• Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Lift-the-Flap Book
  • Synopsis: In this fun lift-the-flap book, children join Sally as she searches for her missing puppy, Spot, around the house encountering other animals along the way.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, memory, and understanding of prepositions
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an interactive adventure that encourages children to think and remember where they have looked, enhancing cognitive development.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy hide-and-seek games and animal-themed stories.

• That’s Not My Puppy... by Fiona Watt, illustrated by Rachel Wells
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Touch-and-Feel Book
  • Synopsis: This book is part of a bestselling series that uses simple, repetitive text and bold illustrations to introduce different puppies with various textures to touch.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sensory skills, descriptive language, and animal recognition
  • Why we recommend this book: Each page offers a new tactile experience, helping to develop sensory and language skills in a fun, engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers who enjoy interactive reading and exploring different textures.

Challenging Animal Books for 1-Year-Olds

• Over in the Jungle: A Rainforest Rhyme by Marianne Berkes, illustrated by Jeanette Canyon
  • Genre(s): Children's Literature, Nature, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book teaches about the rainforest and its inhabitants through a rhyming, sing-song narrative and vibrant polymer clay art.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex ecosystem concepts and a variety of rainforest animals, which are less familiar to young children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines education with entertainment, enhancing vocabulary and knowledge about biodiversity.
  • Perfect for: Young children interested in nature and animal life.

• First 100 Animals by Roger Priddy
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book presents a wide range of animals in a simple, engaging format designed to help babies and toddlers learn their names and characteristics.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers a broad range of 100 animals, offering more advanced vocabulary and exposure to various species.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a comprehensive introduction to the animal kingdom, aiding in early language development and animal recognition.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers beginning to expand their vocabulary and knowledge of the animal world.

• Animalia by Graeme Base
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Alphabet Book, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Each page features a stunning, elaborate illustration of animals and objects beginning with a specific letter of the alphabet.
  • Why this book is challenging: The detailed illustrations and alliterative text provide a complex visual and linguistic experience.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages deep observation and language skills through playful and richly detailed imagery.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy detailed illustrations and learning the alphabet through creative visuals.

• The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Art, Imagination
  • Synopsis: An artist imagines and creates animals in bold, unrealistic colors, celebrating creativity and the joy of art.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces abstract concepts of art and creativity, encouraging children to think beyond traditional colors for objects and animals.
  • Why we recommend this book: It fosters imagination and artistic expression, allowing children to envision the world creatively.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy art and exploring their imaginative capabilities.

• TouchThinkLearn: Farm by Xavier Deneux
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, Interactive Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This tactile book uses die-cut pages to explore farm life, combining touch-and-feel elements with simple, engaging graphics.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features a more sophisticated use of tactile elements to teach about farm animals and their environments.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides sensory interaction coupled with educational content, enhancing both tactile and cognitive skills.
  • Perfect for: Infants and toddlers who are curious about farm animals and enjoy sensory play.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Introducing books to your 1-year-old can be a magical journey, especially with animal-themed books that capture their imagination and curiosity. Below are some fun and educational exercises that can help develop good reading habits in your little one. These activities are designed to engage both you and your child, making reading a delightful part of your daily routine.

• Animal Sounds Matching
  • What it is: Read animal books and encourage your child to mimic the sounds animals make.
  • How it helps: Enhances auditory skills and helps in language development.
  • Tips: Be animated with your voice and facial expressions to make the activity more fun and engaging.

• Point and Name
  • What it is: Point to different animals in the book and name them aloud.
  • How it helps: Helps with word association and builds vocabulary.
  • Tips: Use a cheerful tone to maintain your child's interest and encourage them to point and try naming the animals too.

• Story Retell
  • What it is: After reading an animal book, ask your child to describe their favorite part or animal.
  • How it helps: Boosts memory and comprehension skills.
  • Tips: Keep the questions simple and guide them gently to recall details.

• Book Choice
  • What it is: Let your child pick which animal book to read.
  • How it helps: Encourages independence and interest in reading.
  • Tips: Offer a selection of two or three books to avoid overwhelming them.

• Interactive Reading
  • What it is: Use finger puppets or stuffed animals to act out parts of the book.
  • How it helps: Makes reading interactive and stimulates imagination.
  • Tips: Let your child choose the puppet or stuffed animal and help them act out scenes from the book.

These simple yet effective exercises can make reading time a favorite part of the day for both you and your toddler. By incorporating these activities, you're not only helping your child develop a love for books but also enhancing their learning abilities at an early age. Keep the sessions short and sweet, and watch as your little one grows to love the wonderful world of books!