When I was growing up, I was afraid of the dark. As I would walk from the shower to my room out back, I would turn on one light before walking back to turn off the other. Thankfully, as I got older, I realized that there’s nothing to be afraid of in the dark. Even the nocturnal animals in these books have to overcome that fear! Luckily, there are lots of great nocturnal animal books that can show toddlers that night isn’t actually scary. Here are ten of our favorites!
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Nocturnal Animals Lesson Plans
Daylight Starlight Wildlife
by Wendell Minor
The first nocturnal animal book actually shows both diurnal and nocturnal animals. Daylight Starlight Wildlife by Wendell Minor is the perfect text to introduce the concept of nocturnal animals, as the author shows what different animals do during the day and night.
It’s also the perfect way to lead into a diurnal and nocturnal animal sort, which is one piece of our nocturnal animal science activities for the week.
Questions:
- Stop to name the visitors on the first two pages.
- After reading, name some nocturnal animals.
Night Animals
by Gianna Marino
This next one is a must-read for your nocturnal animal books for kids: Night Animals by Gianna Marino. In the story, the nocturnal animals let the dark get the better of them and are scared of, you’ll never guess, the night animals. As Possum and Skunk hide, they hear noises and bigger animals join their group, scared of whatever is lurking in the night. That is, until bat points out that they are the night animals.
This book includes laugh-out-loud characters, and it’s super short, leaving you plenty of time to also enjoy the sequel: Night Animals Need Sleep, Too.
Questions:
- Raise your hand if you are afraid of the dark.
- What were the night animals actually afraid of?
- Would you run away if you were camping in the woods?
nightsong
Nocturnal Animal Books
Next up for our nocturnal animals books was Nightsong by Ari Berk. I know what you’re thinking: But what about Stellaluna as our bat book?!? Well, Stellaluna is a bit longer than I would recommend reading to toddlers, but if you have a class full of good listeners, go for it!
In Nightsong, a mother bat sends her little bat out into the night alone for the first time, but Chiro is worried because he can’t see. His mother tells him to use his good sense, his song, to find his way to the pond to eat. And even when Chiro sees scary arms and hears buzzing noises, he uses his song to help him “see” in the dark. He even feels brave enough to explore the world beyond the pond.
Questions:
- What sense do bats use to “see” in the dark? Talk about echolocation.
- Chiro thought arms reaching out in the dark, but they were actually what?
- Do you think Chiro should swim beyond the pond? Why or why not?
owl babies
by Martin Waddell
Next up, we have Owl Babies by Martin Waddell. In this nocturnal animal book, three baby owls wake up to discover their mother is gone. And, of course, there are many scary things moving around in the night. All three owls look around trying to be brave, and they make a wish for their mother to be home.
Questions:
- Which owl seems to be the most scared?
- What creatures do you think are moving in the night?
- What could Mother Owl be doing while she is gone?
Fox at Night
by Corey Tabor
As our last pick for nocturnal animals books, we read Fox at Night by Corey Tabor. And despite the fact that this book is for emergent readers, its story does not disappoint!
Fox is up late, scared of noises, and scared of monsters. As he meets other creatures of the night (which your kiddos can guess from the given clues), he realizes night isn’t so scary. But what is that creature with three eyes and pointy teeth? The end will surprise you!
Questions:
- What has pointy ears and yellow eyes?
- What do you think is making the tapping noise?
- What do you think is the smelly monster?
- Are the nocturnal animals afraid of the monster at the end?
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MORE Nocturnal Animal Activities
Do you have a little one who loves animals? Check out these great nocturnal animal books for toddlers that include characters overcoming their fear of the dark. Not only will your child learn about some amazing creatures, but they’ll also see how bravery and determination can help overcome any fear. And what better way to teach those lessons than through engaging stories? Pick up a copy of your favorite today!
