The Best Animal Kids' Books 2026

1. The Little Red Hen (Paperback)

This timeless story of having your cake (and eating it, too!) comes to life with Paul Galdone's dynamic, amusing pictures. A classic storybook for all young readers--and a cautionary tale for lazy ones. Little Red Hen is a time-tested tale about how we reap what we sow. When the Little Red Hen asks a cat, dog, and mouse for help planting some wheat, she gets no takers: "'Not I!' said the cat. 'Not I!' said the dog. 'Not I!' said the mouse." They won't water, cut, or grind the wheat... or help bake a cake with it, either. So in the end, the Little Red Hen eats the cake all by herself as well! Paul Galdone's delightfully detailed ink and wash illustrations--packed with charming details--add plenty of sly humor to the well-loved story that not only offers a sage message, but also shows children what it takes to make a cake from the ground up!

Paul Galdone Nursery Classic The Little Red Hen, (Paperback) Author: Clarion Books ISBN: 9780899193496 Format: Paperback Publication Date: 1985-03-18 Page Count: 48

2. Paul Galdone Nursery Classic: Puss in Boots (Paperback)

By outwitting an evil giant and gaining a fortune for a poor young man, the resourceful Puss in Boots proves himself the Master Cat of them all. By outwitting an evil giant and gaining a fortune for a poor young man, the resourceful Puss in Boots proves himself the Master Cat of them all.

• Author: Paul Galdone • ISBN:9780899191928 • Format:Paperback • Publication Date:1983-09-19

3. Henny Penny (Paperback)

Convinced the sky is falling, Henny Penny and a band of gullible friends march off to tell the king, only to meet their end at the hands of a wily fox.

Paul Galdone Nursery Classic Henny Penny, (Paperback) Author: Clarion Books ISBN: 9780899192253 Format: Paperback Publication Date: 1984-09-17 Page Count: 40

4. Clarion Books The Valentine Bears, (Paperback)

Mr. and Mrs. Bear have never celebrated St. Valentine's Day because they hibernate during the winter.

Clarion Books The Valentine Bears, (Paperback) Author: Clarion Books ISBN: 9780899193137 Format: Paperback Publication Date: 1985-01-15 Page Count: 32

5. Paul Galdone Nursery Classic The Monkey and the Crocodile: A Jataka Tale from India, (Paperback)

Twice the clever little monkey foils the attempts of the crocodile to capture him.

Paul Galdone Nursery Classic The Monkey and the Crocodile: A Jataka Tale from India, (Paperback) Author: Clarion Books ISBN: 9780899195247 Format: Paperback Publication Date: 1987-09-21 Page Count: 32

6. So Many Cats!, (Paperback)

A counting story in verse shows how easily one sad and lonely cat can turn into twelve.

So Many Cats!, (Paperback) Author: Clarion Books ISBN: 9780899197005 Format: Paperback Publication Date: 1988-03-21 Page Count: 32

7. Read Along Book & Cassette Mary Wore Her Red Dress and Henry Wore His Green Sneakers, (Paperback)

On Katy's birthday, all of her animal friends come to the party dressed in clothes of different colors. As Imagination Soup notes, this picture book is a great choice for preschoolers, since it as clear, repeating text and a story that emergent readers can relate to. "Based on the song of the same title," Imagination Soup says, "sing about the creatures who go to Katy's birthday party--and what they wear. Mary where her red dress. Henry wore his green sneakers. Katy wore her yellow sweater. The color and clothing repeat. (Green sneakers, green sneakers, green sneakers.)

Read Along Book & Cassette Mary Wore Her Red Dress and Henry Wore His Green Sneakers, (Paperback) Author: Clarion Books ISBN: 9780899197012 Format: Paperback Publication Date: 1988-03-21 Page Count: 32

8. Paul Galdone Nursery Classic Cat Goes Fiddle-I-Fee, (Paperback)

An old English cumulative rhyme introduces young children to their favorite farm animals with verses that prompt them to learn the sound that each animal makes.

Paul Galdone Nursery Classic Cat Goes Fiddle-I-Fee, (Paperback) Author: Clarion Books ISBN: 9780899197050 Format: Paperback Publication Date: 1988-03-21 Page Count: 48

9. Finders Keepers for Franklin (Hardcover) 9781550743685

In this Franklin Classic Storybook, Franklin has to use his sleuthing skills to do the right thing. ISBN: 9781550743685 ISBN10: 1550743686 Contributors: Bourgeois, Paulette, Clark, Brenda,

Finders Keepers for Franklin (Hardcover) 9781550743685

10. Scary, Scary Halloween (Hardcover)

This spooky story captures the eerie feeling of Halloween with a surprise ending. Full-color illustrations. Four pairs of eyes stare from the blackness to watch fearsome creatures trick-or-treat. "Carefully planned and executed, illustrations and text nicely unified, this is well designed for group use and a fine introduction to Halloween story programs." -- School Library Journal, starred review

Four pairs of eyes stare from the blackness to watch fearsome creatures trick-or-treat.