Are you looking for the perfect book to captivate your little ones and get their imaginations running wild? We’ve rounded up an exciting lineup of 10 books about pets that’ll instantly fetch their attention – from silly fish tales to adventurous canine escapades. Whether your preschoolers are already animal lovers or yet to be introduced to the wonderful world of creatures, these titles are sure to fetch the attention of all children.
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Pet Lesson Plans
Some Pets by Angela Diterlizzi
Books About Pets
Let’s go to the pet show with this first book: Some Pets by Angela Diterlizzi. As all of the pets, from dogs to cats, snakes to hamsters, and horses to chickens, compete in different activities at the pet show, the author doesn’t actually name them. Instead, she describes an action the pets do, making the reader use the illustrations to figure out what is happening in the story. Get those literary brains working!
Questions:
- Do you have a pet? What does your pet like to do?
- Do you notice what is happening in the illustrations?
- Who won first prize at the pet show?
- Can you name some pets?
What Pet should I get?
by Dr. Seuss
Our next book about pets is What Pet Should I Get? by Dr. Seuss. In this story, a brother and a sister visit a pet store and, of course, cannot decide on which pet to get! The end of this book leaves the reader hanging, which is the perfect opportunity for your preschoolers to make an inference.
Questions:
- How do you think their dad would feel if they brought home two pets?
- Let’s vote: Would you pick the dog, cat, pup, or kitten?
- What kind of pet do you think they chose? Hint: What would fit in a basket?
Can I Be your Dog?
by Troy Cummings
Next up, we read Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings. A dog without a home writes letters to those living on Butternut Street, hoping to find a place to live. But letter after letter, the answer is always no. But little does Arfy know that someone has noticed all of his letters and thinks he’ll make the perfect partner and friend. Who do you think will adopt him?
Questions:
- Does the dog have a home right now? How do you think that makes him feel?
- Do you know what a butcher is?
- Does anyone actually live in the last house on Butternut Street? How do you know?
- What ends up happening to Arfy?
Strictly No Elephants
by Lisa Mantchev
I heard this phrase that I absolutely love: I’d rather be excluded for who I include than included for who I exclude. Our next book about pets, Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev exemplifies this phrase perfectly.
When a boy is excluded from the Pet Club for having an elephant, he creates his own Pet Club with all sorts of unique and unusual pets around the neighborhood. I love that this book incorporates the lesson that we should include someone despite our differences.
Questions:
- Why do you think the other kids won’t let the boy and his elephant inside the pet club?
- Are we all different or unique in some way?
- What can we do to include others in our classroom?
Gilbert goldfish Wants a Pet
by Kelly DiPucchio
Last up, we read Gilbert Goldfish Wants a Pet by Kelly DiPucchio. In this story, Gilbert seems to have everything he could ever want: a castle, a treasure chest full of gold, and delicious flakes every day. But the one thing he wants the most in the world is a pet of his own. See which animals come into Gilbert’s home and who will make the perfect pet for him.
Questions:
- How does Gilbert feel when the dog arrives?
- Why is the dog leaving?
- Would a cat be a good pet for a goldfish? Why or why not?
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MORE Pet Activities for Preschoolers
With stories full of bubbly illustrations and heartwarming characters, these books about pets will help young readers explore themes related to our four-legged friends and learn valuable life lessons along the way too! So brighten up story time with these picks. Your toddlers won’t want to put them down!
