10+ Best Animal Books for 5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect bedtime stories or interactive reads that will delight your little animal lover? Look no further than our curated selection of animal books for 5-year-olds! These captivating tales are sure to spark joy and imagination in young readers. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks that will turn storytime into an exciting adventure with furry, feathery, and finned friends!

Fun Animal Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: This delightful book follows a hungry caterpillar as it eats its way through a variety of foods before finally turning into a beautiful butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its vibrant and colorful illustrations capture the attention of young readers, and the interactive element of the holes in the pages encourages participation and engagement.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love interactive and visually stimulating books.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Animal Fiction
  • Synopsis: A big happy frog, a plump purple cat, a handsome blue horse, and a soft yellow duck—all parade across the pages of this delightful book, teaching children about colors and animals.
  • Why we recommend this book: The repetitive and rhythmic text makes it easy for children to participate in reading aloud, which can help develop their reading skills.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are just starting to learn how to read and recognize colors and animals.

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Family
  • Synopsis: This charming story of Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare shows the large and small measures of love.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the boundless nature of love between a parent and child and uses simple language that resonates with young minds.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy heartwarming stories about family relationships.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Bedtime Story
  • Synopsis: In this classic story, a gentle bedtime ritual is depicted as a young bunny says goodnight to everything around him.
  • Why we recommend this book: The soothing, rhythmic text paired with the quiet and calming illustrations make this an ideal bedtime read.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who benefit from a peaceful and comforting bedtime routine.

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A mischievous boy named Max sails to the land of the Wild Things, where he becomes their king.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and creativity, showing children that they can explore and rule over their imaginative worlds.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous kids who love to dream up fantastical worlds and creatures.

Educational Animal Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Over in the Forest: Come and Take a Peek by Marianne Berkes, illustrated by Jill Dubin
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Nature
  • Synopsis: This book invites children to peek into the forest to see the animals that live there and learn about their different activities.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Animal recognition, counting skills, and rhythm
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines playful rhymes with hide-and-seek scenes, making learning fun and interactive.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy exploring nature and learning about wildlife.

• National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Animals by Catherine D. Hughes
  • Genre(s): Nonfiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This colorful book introduces young readers to different animals around the world, categorized by habitat.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Animal facts, habitat knowledge, and basic geography
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with stunning photographs and fascinating facts that will captivate young minds.
  • Perfect for: Curious kids who have a thirst for knowledge about the animal kingdom.

• The Mixed-Up Chameleon by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A chameleon wishes it could be more like all the other animals it sees, but soon learns to appreciate its own unique abilities.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Self-acceptance, understanding diversity, and problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches children the importance of being themselves in a fun and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Children who are learning about self-esteem and individuality.

• A Fish Out of Water by Helen Palmer, illustrated by P.D. Eastman
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Humor
  • Synopsis: Based on a short story by Helen Palmer, this book tells the tale of a fish that grows too large for its tank, leading to a series of humorous situations.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading comprehension, cause and effect
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and predictable text helps young readers develop confidence in their reading skills.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy funny stories and learning about consequences.

Challenging Animal Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, illustrated by John Schoenherr
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Nature
  • Synopsis: This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a young child and their father going owling on a cold winter's night.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative uses poetic language and a subtle, reflective storytelling approach that requires deeper comprehension.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the quiet beauty of the natural world and the special bond between parent and child during a shared experience.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who appreciate nature and enjoy calm, thoughtful stories.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Classic Literature, Animal Fiction
  • Synopsis: This classic story follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit as he sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden, leading to a series of adventures and troubles.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features sophisticated vocabulary and implicit moral lessons that go beyond simple storytelling.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces children to early themes of responsibility and the consequences of one's actions in an engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories with animals and those who can handle a slightly more complex read.

• Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Animal Fiction
  • Synopsis: After being separated from her mother, a young fruit bat named Stellaluna tries to adapt to life with a family of birds.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story explores themes of identity and acceptance, woven through detailed narrative and character development.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming tale that encourages empathy and understanding of differences.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are interested in animals and exploring deep, meaningful stories about friendship and self-discovery.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A clever mouse uses the threat of a terrifying creature called the Gruffalo to keep itself safe from predators in the forest.
  • Why this book is challenging: The strategic use of rhyme and repetitive phrases paired with a clever plot encourages critical thinking and prediction skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches the value of intelligence and bravery through a fun and engaging story.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love thrilling tales with clever protagonists and a touch of humor.

• Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: The story details the journey of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard as they look for a safe place in the busy city of Boston to raise their ducklings.
  • Why this book is challenging: It provides a narrative that includes aspects of urban geography and animal behavior, requiring children to integrate knowledge from different domains.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a charming tale that also imparts lessons on safety and the importance of community.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy animal stories and learning about navigation and safety in urban settings.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 5-year-old develop great reading habits while enjoying some fantastic animal books, you're in the right place. Here are a few fun and educational exercises that can make reading an enjoyable habit for your little one. Let's dive in!

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You read the book aloud to your child, or take turns reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and comprehension skills.
  • Tips: Use different voices for different characters to make it more engaging.

• Character Match
  • What it is: After reading, match characters from the story to their traits or actions.
  • How it helps: Improves memory and helps in understanding character development.
  • Tips: Use pictures from the book to help them remember and match.

• Story Sequencing
  • What it is: Arrange story events in the order they happened.
  • How it helps: Boosts understanding of narrative structure and sequence of events.
  • Tips: Use simple, hand-drawn cards with key events as cues.

• Animal Sound Game
  • What it is: Identify the animals in the book and mimic their sounds.
  • How it helps: Makes the reading fun and interactive, enhancing sensory learning.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to find more information about each animal.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flip through the book looking at pictures before reading, making up stories about what might happen.
  • How it helps: Sparks imagination and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions about the pictures to encourage creative thinking.

• Reading Rewards Chart
  • What it is: Create a chart that tracks books read or time spent reading.
  • How it helps: Motivates children to read more and fosters a sense of accomplishment.
  • Tips: Offer small rewards like extra storytime for milestones reached.

These exercises aren't just about reading; they're about making reading a fun, engaging, and habitual part of your child's daily life. By incorporating these activities, you're not only helping your child develop a love for books but also enhancing their cognitive and language skills. So, grab some animal books, and let's make reading exciting! Happy reading!