📚 🐵🦒🐘 Zoo Books for Preschoolers

If you are looking for some fun-to-read zoo books for kids, you will love these selections! Each of these zoo books for preschoolers, toddlers, kindergarnters, grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, and grade 4 students are filled with lively stories, beautiful illustrations, and catchy words. So whether you are planning a trip to the zoo, or your child just enjoys animals – these zoo animal books for preschool are perfect to share together!

Zoo Books for Preschoolers

There are so many things that kids can learn by visiting the zoo, and so many fun stories that can come from the animals there. This list of the best zoo books for preschoolers is full of stories that are funny, educational, and endearing.

Zoo animal books for preschoolers

The View at the Zoo was written by Kathleen Long Bostrom and illustrated by Guy Francis. This rhyming book follows a zookeeper as he makes his way around the zoo, waking up the animals and encouraging them to get ready for the day. When the human visitors arrive, the animals have their own thoughts to share.

Curious George Goes to the Zoo was written by Margaret and H.A. Rey. George and the Man in the Yellow Hat go on a trip to a wild animal park. George has fun meeting the animals, and makes friends with a sad baby rhino.

Zoo Day was written by Anne Rockwell and illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell. This book follows a young boy and his family as they visit the zoo together for the first time. The simple text and detailed illustrations explore all the animals and sights to see at the zoo.

Good Night Zoo was written by Adam Gamble and illustrated by Cooper Kelly. This addition to the “Good Night Our World” series offers greetings to animals all around the zoo. Kids will love the beautiful illustrations and the greetings offered to all the animals.

Zoo Books for Kids

A Trip to the Zoo was written by Karen Wallace. This easy reader follows a pair of brothers as they head to the zoo for the day. The simple text shares the things they see and experience, while the photographs show them interacting with animals.

Animal Strike at the Zoo. It’s True! was written by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Margaret Spengler. In this funny story, a group of animals at the zoo decide to go on strike. But when a young girl shows up, she may change their minds. Kids will appreciate the funny text and the vibrantly colored illustrations.

Good Night, Gorilla was written by Peggy Rathman. It’s bedtime at the zoo, but as the zookeeper goes by each animal’s enclosure, he is followed by a mischievous gorilla. Kids will love the silly gorilla and his antics behind the zookeeper’s back.

Zoo Books for Children

I Want to Be a Zookeeper was written by Dan Liebman. This easy to read nonfiction book teaches kids about the jobs that zookeepers do. The simple text and large, clear photographs provide readers with lots of information about the life of a zookeeper.

Zoo was written by Gail Gibbons. This informative picture book explores life at the zoo, from the animals and zookeepers to the other workers and the many things that happen during a typical day.

It’s a Crazy Day at the Zoo was written by Stacy Lee Doyle and illustrated by Bonnie Lemaire. This book follows a young girl and her grandmother as they head to the zoo together. The rhyming text and funny animal illustrations are sure to entertain young readers.

‘Twas the Day Before Zoo Day was written by Catherine Ipcizade and illustrated by Ben Hodson. This twist on the classic Christmas poem follows the animals and zookeepers as they prepare for a day of visitors at the zoo. Kids will love the familiar rhyming text and cute illustrations.

Fiona, Lpve at the Zoo was written and illustrated by Richard Cowdrey. In this adorable addition to the picture book series featuring the beloved Cincinnati Zoo hippo, Fiona explores all of the loving relationships present at the zoo. The sweet rhyming text and adorable illustrations highlight the love between the different animal families at the zoo.

Zoo Books for Preschool

Feeding Time at the Zoo was written by Sherry Shahan. This nonfiction early reader introduces readers to how animals at the zoo are fed. The simple text and large photographs show how the zookeepers prepare the food and ensure the animals are fed properly.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee was written by Philip C. Stead and illustrated by Erin E. Stead. This sweet book introduces readers to Amos McGee, a zookeeper who loves spending time with his animal friends. When he has to stay home sick, he has some interesting visitors.

Wild about Books was written by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Marc Brown. This fun rhyming story follows Molly McGrew the librarian as she takes her bookmobile to the zoo and introduces the animals to reading. Kids will love the funny rhymes and the illustrations of animals enjoying books.

Through with the Zoo was written by Jacob Grant. When a goat has had enough of life at the petting zoo, he decides to escape to the bigger zoo. Kids will love watching Goat explore the zoo world outside of his petting zoo home.

River Rose and the Magical Lullaby was written by Kelly Clarkson and illustrated by Laura Hughes. This sweet rhyming story follows a little girl named River Rose as she and her dog go on a magical trip to the zoo. Kids will love the fun adventures that they go on, and may imagine their own nighttime zoo adventure.

Hey, Who Made This Mess? was written by Primo Gallanosa. In this funny mystery book, a zookeeper and the zoo’s animals are trying to figure out who is making a mess all around the zoo. The simple text and adorable illustrations will keep little ones engaged as they attempt to figure out who is making a mess of everything.

See You Later, Alligator was written by Sally Hopgood and illustrated by Emma Levey. When a little tortoise decides to leave home, he first has to go around and bid goodbye to all of his animal friends. Little readers will love the cute rhyming goodbyes and the adorable animal illustrations.

Ellie was written and illustrated by Mike Wu. When the zoo is in danger of closing, a little elephant named Ellie and her animal friends want to do something to save their home. Ellie finds a brush and some paints and decides that a pop of color may be exactly what the zoo needs.

Splat and the Cool School Trip was written and illustrated by Rob Scotton. Join Splat the Cat as he goes on a trip to the zoo with his classmates. All Splat wants to see are the penguins, but when the penguin exhibit gets shut down, will the class trip be ruined?

You See a Zoo, I See… was written by Michael Downs and illustrated by Maureen O’Brien. In this rhyming book, a young child walks around the zoo witnessing the antics of the animals. But she encourages the reader to take a deeper look at the animals’ behaviors and explains the reasons they act the way they do.

Fantastic Fiona was written by Richard Cowdrey. This early reader follows the popular little hippo from the Cincinnati Zoo as she makes her way around the zoo grounds and finds out what makes each of her animal friends special.

Pinky Got Out! was written by Michael Portis and illustrated by Lori Richmond. When Pinky the flamingo sees a class touring the zoo, he decides that he wants to join them. Young kids will love watching the funny flamingo’s antics as he tries to blend in with the other animals.

Zoo Zen: A Yoga Story for Kids was written by Kristen Fischer and illustrated by Susi Schaefer. This rhyming book follows a young girl as she learns new yoga moves inspired by the animals at the zoo. Kids will love the soothing text and illustrations, and will want to learn the moves along with the main character.