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Looking to explore life of a zookeeper, amazing zoo animals, or simply as an extension for a fieldtrip to the zoo – we’ve got the best zoo books for kids of all ages! Come find a new favorite to read with your children.
Zoo Books
The zoo is a great place to teach kids about animals, and there are so many great stories that use the zoo to teach important lessons. This list of zoo books for kids is full of fun stories featuring animals, zoo days, and important lessons. We’ve included not only the books, book covers, and a helpful description to help you decide which books to read with your students or children.
See more of our handy children’s book lists, over 100 fun zoo activities for preschoolers, and zoo dramatic play free printables
Zoo Books for Kids
Dear Zoo was written and illustrated by Rod Campbell. In this adorable lift-the-flap board book, readers can lift the flaps to discover the Zoo animals hidden underneath. Kids will love uncovering the various zoo animals.
My Heart is Like a Zoo was written by Michael Hall. This brightly colored board book turns all kinds of animals into hearts. The adorable illustrations are accompanied by text that shares different emotions that a heart can feel.
ZooBorns! was written by Andrew Bleiman and Chris Eastland. This adorable book introduces readers to cute baby Zoo animals. Each two page spread introduces an animal with a picture, and a short paragraph with facts about the animal.
Curious George at the Zoo was written by H.A. Rey. Join Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat as they meet with new animals at the zoo. Kids will love the different tactile sections throughout the illustrations.
The View at the Zoo was written by Kathleen Long Bostrom and illustrated by Guy Francis. In this rhyming book, a Zookeeper walks the grounds calling out orders to the animals and getting them ready for the day.
Curious George Goes to the Zoo was written and illustrated by H.A. Rey. When Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat head to the zoo, George makes friends with a baby rhino. Will he be able to cheer her up and get her to come out of her hiding place?
Good Night, Gorilla was written by Peggy Rathmann. It’s bedtime at the zoo, and the zookeeper is saying goodnight to all the animals. But a mischievous gorilla has stolen his keys and is letting all of the animals out behind his back.
Night Night, Zoo was written by Amy Parker and illustrated by Virginia Allyn. This cute bedtime book follows the animals at the zoo as they get ready for bed with similar routines as humans. Kids will love watching the little animals brushing their teeth and getting ready for bedtime.
If I Lived at the Zoo was written by Michael Perulli and illustrated by Kyoko Fogel. In this cute, a young kid imagines what it would be like to live at the zoo.
I Want to Be a Zookeeper was written by Dan Liebman. This nonfiction book gives readers a glimpse into life as a zookeeper. The simple text, captions, and large, clear photographs show little ones what life is like on a regular day as a zookeeper.
zoo books for children
Zoo Day was written by Anne Rockwell and illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell. In this book, a young boy and his family visit the zoo for the first time and check out all the animals. The easy to read text is paired with cute illustrations that bring the animals to life.
Put Me in the Zoo was written by Robert Lopshire. This classic book follows a strange animal who wants to belong in the zoo. Kids will love watching all the things that Spot can do with his spots, and the lesson he learns that there is someplace for everyone.
Pumpkin Day at the Zoo was written by Susan Meissner and illustrated by Pablo Pino. In the fall, the animals at the zoo patiently wait for the farmers to bring them pumpkins to play with! This adorable book shows each of the different animals playing with pumpkins and enjoying the fall season!
Good Night Zoo was written by Adam Gamble and illustrated by Cooper Kelly. Bid goodnight to the animals at the zoo with this simple board book. The text offers different greetings to animals around the zoo, while the cute illustrations show various animals going about their day.
Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo was written by John Lithgow and illustrated by Leeza Hernandez. This hilarious picture book imagines what would happen if a concert next to the zoo draws in the animal crowd! Kids will love seeing all the silly animals playing instruments.
1, 2, 3 to the Zoo was written and illustrated by Eric Carle. In this colorful board book, young kids can count along with the zoo animals aboard the train. The simple text shows the number of animals, and the brightly colored illustrations are done in Carle’s signature style.
1 Zany Zoo was written by Lori Degman and illustrated by Colin Jack. This rhyming book imagines what happens before the zoo opens for the day. The peppy text counts the different animals and sees them do all kinds of silly things, which will have kids laughing out loud.
If I Ran the Zoo was written by Dr. Seuss. Join Gerald McGrew as he imagines all kinds of wonderful animals that he would put in the zoo if he was in charge. Readers will enjoy discovering all of the crazy make believe animals that the character dreams up.
Zoo Books for Preschool
Hey, Who Made This Mess? was written by Primo Gallanosa. In this funny book, someone is making a mess at the zoo. Kids will love following the clues in the illustrations to try to solve the mystery.
Ellie was written and illustrated by Mike Wu. In this cute story, the zoo is closing and the animals want to save their home. Will Ellie the elephant be able to use her paintbrush and paints to help the other animals? Kids will like the inspirational story and the colorful illustrations.
Fiona the Hippo was written and illustrated by Richard Cowdrey. This book, based on a true story, introduces readers to Fiona the hippo, whose inspirational story inspired people around the world. Learn about Fiona’s incredible story of perseverance as she does her best to survive.
Fiona, Love at the Zoo was written and illustrated by Richard Cowdrey. This sweet story follows Fiona the hippo as she makes her way around the zoo visiting all her animal friends and seeing how they show love to one another. Kids will love seeing all the different animals families showing love to one another.
See You Later, Alligator was written by Sally Hopgood and illustrated by Emma Levey. Join a tortoise as he makes his way around the zoo offering rhyming goodbyes to all of his animal friends. Readers will love all of the rhyming goodbyes they can share with loved ones!
Wild About Books was written by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Marc Brown. When Molly McGrew drives her bookmobile in to the zoo, she introduces animals to the world of reading and finds the perfect book for each animal. The rhyming text and colorful illustrations make this a fun one to read aloud.
Cubs in the Tub: The True Story of the Bronx Zoo’s First Woman Zookeeper was written by Candace Fleming and illustrated by Julia Downing. This picture book, based on a true story, shares the incredible tale of Bronx zookeeper Fred and his wife Helen who cared for baby lions at their home. Kids will love seeing the adorable baby animals being cared for by the couple, and learning about how Helen became the first woman zookeeper at the Bronx Zoo.
children’s books zoo
Z is for Zookeeper was written by Roland Smith and Marie Smith and illustrated by Henry Cole. This alphabet book pairs each letter of the alphabet with something about zookeepers. There is a simple statement on each page introducing the letter and word, while the sidebar provides more in depth information. This makes it a great introduction to zookeepers for a wide range of ages.
The Gingerbread Man Loose at the Zoo was written by Laura Murray and illustrated by Mike Lowery. Join the Gingerbread Man and his classmates as they head to the zoo for a field trip. Kids will love watching the cookie run away from animals and solve the riddles to catch up with his class.
Animal Strike at the Zoo. It’s True! was written by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Margaret Spengler. When the elephants at the zoo start to complain about conditions, the other animals follow suit, and soon the entire zoo is on strike. What can be done to change their mind? Kids will appreciate the cute ending to this story.
Splat and the Cool School Trip was written and illustrated by Rob Scotton. When Splat the Cat and his friends head to the zoo for a field trip, Splat only wants to see the penguins. But when the penguin exhibit gets shut down, can his day be saved?
Pinky Got Out! was written by Michael Portis and illustrated by Lori Richmond. Follow a flamingo named Pinky as he escapes and joins up with a class of students on a field trip. Readers will enjoy seeing Pinky hiding among all the zoo animals.
Curious George Feeds the Animals was written by H.A. Rey and illustrated by Margret Rey. When Curious George goes to the zoo, he makes friends with lots of animals and even gets to help the zookeepers!
Field Trip Fiasco was written by Julie Danneberg and illustrated by Judy Love. Join Sarah Jane Hartwell and her class as they head to the zoo on a field trip. Can the class follow the rules and have a trouble free field trip?
Zoo was written by Gail Gibbons. This picture book introduces readers to all of the important things that happen behind the scenes at the zoo to take care of the animals. The detailed pictures and informative text provides lots of learning opportunities for young readers.
You See a Zoo, I See… was written by Michael Downs and illustrated by Maureen O’Brien. Why do animals act the way they do? This picture book explores the behaviors of zoo animals and encourages kids to look beyond their first impressions.
That’s Not a Hippopotamus! was written by Juliette MacIver and illustrated by Sarah Davis. When a hippopotamus goes missing at the zoo during a class trip, chaos ensues. Kids will love the rhyming text and the funny illustrations as the class attempts to find the hippo.
Snuggle Up, Zooborns! was written by Andrew Bleiman and Chris Eastland. This early reader features all kinds of adorable animals cuddling up together. The adorable animal photographs are paired with a simple, easy to read text perfect for beginning readers.
What Do You Do If You Work at the Zoo? was written by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. This book introduces some of the interesting things that you can do as a zookeeper working at the zoo. The informative text shares some of the different ways that zookeepers interact with animals.
My Visit to the Zoo was written by Aliki. This informative picture book follows two cousins as they visit the zoo together. The text is full of information about the featured animals, and the illustrations include captions and labels.
A Trip to the Zoo was written by Karen Wallace. Join two young brothers as they head to the zoo for the day with their mother. The simple text and large, clear illustrations explore the many animals they see during their trip.
Pinkalicious and the Pinktastic Zoo was written and illustrated by Victoria Kann. Join Pinkalicious and Peter as they head to the zoo for Teddy Bear Day! Kids will love watching what happens when a tricky monkey steals Pinkalicious’ bear.
Eloise Visits the Zoo was written by Lisa McClatchy and illustrated by Tammie Lyon. In this early reader, Eloise and Nanny head to the zoo for the day to check out the animals.
Zoo Animal Books
Feeding Time at the Zoo was written by Sherry Shahan. This nonfiction early reader introduces readers to feeding time at the zoo. The simple text shares how the animals get their food and what the different animals eat, and the colorful photographs show the different animals enjoying their foods.
‘Twas the Day Before Zoo Day was written by Catherine Ipcizade and illustrated by Ben Hodson. This spin on the classic Christmas poem follows the zookeepers and the animals at the zoo as they prepare for the kids to arrive the next day.
What the Sleepy Animals Do at the Audobon Zoo was written by Grace Millsaps and Ryan Murphy and illustrated by John Clark IV and Alyson Kilday. When a young girl asks her father why the zoo animals are all sleepy during the day, he comes up with a creative answer about what the animals are all doing at night.
Good Dog Carl Visits the Zoo was written by Alexandra Day. Join Carl and Madeleine as they visit the zoo and get followed around by a wandering little elephant.
Zoo Zen: A Yoga Story for Kids was written by Kristen Fischer and illustrated by Susi Schaefer. In this cute book, a young girl named Lyla practices ten yoga poses inspired by the animals at the zoo. Kids can learn to do real yoga poses along with the colorful illustrations in the book.
Curious about Zoo Vets was written by Gina Shaw. This nonfiction picture book teaches kids about the many jobs that zoo veterinarians do. The informative text is paired with photographs featuring vets helping all kinds of zoo animals.
It’s a Crazy Day at the Zoo was written by Stacy Doyle and illustrated by Bonnie Lemaire. This fun rhyming book follows a young girl as she makes her way around the zoo checking out all the animals and thinking about what they can do.
A Sick Day for Amos McGee was written by Philip C. Stead and illustrated by Erin E. Stead. Zookeeper Amos McGee loves spending time with the animals at the zoo. When he is too sick to come to work, the animals decide to return the favor and come visit him.
River Rose and the Magical Lullaby was written by Kelly Clarkson and illustrated by Laura Hughes. When River Rose goes to sleep at night, she is visited by a group of magical balloons that take her to the zoo where she and her dog spend time partying with the animals.
Animal Activities
- Are you My Mother? Matching, Animal Homes Clip Cards, Farm Animals and their Homes Flip Book
- Zoo Animal Reports, Free Zoo Animals Worksheet, free Biomes Coloring Pages, printable Endangered Animals Worksheets, Animal report templates
- Silly Animals and their Habitats Activity, Animal Habitats Worksheets with circle stickers, Animal Habitat Game
- Animal Cookie Matching Activity or explore havitats with free animal card printables
- 70+ Life Cycles for Kids, Free Animal Classifications for Kids Cootie Catchers, Zoo Scavenger Hunt (includes simple and more complex options), elephant life cycle worksheets
- Animal Classification Worksheets to cut & paste, Shark for Kids Printble Reader
- Ocean Animals for Kids – HUGE unit for K-8th grade students.
- Zoo Animals Color by Number, free I Spy Animals Worskheet, Jungle Animal Coloring Pages
- Uppercase Tracing Letters with Animals A-Z, Printable Animal Masks, 100 Amazing Zoo Animal Crafts
- See all of our Animal Activities, Printables, and Crafts
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