Books About Animals
Harry the Dirty Dog
Title: Harry the Dirty Dog
Author: Gene Zion
Illustrator: Margaret Bloy Graham
Genre: Fiction
Copyright: 1956
Reading level: Grade 2-3
Interest level: K-2
Summary: Harry is a white dog with black spots. He loves everything except for taking baths. Instead of taking a bath, Harry runs away and has a lot of fun getting dirty. When he's dirty, he looks like a different dog! It makes him look like a black dog with white spots.
Picture book: Yes
Moral of the story/lesson/theme: Without baths you can get very, very dirty and even won’t be recognized.
Topic: Animals
Is it a good read aloud book? Yes
Hello, World! Ocean Life
Title: Hello, World! Ocean Life
Author: Jill Mcdonald
Illustrator: Jill Mcdonald
Genre: Non-fiction
Copyright: 2019
Reading level: PreK
Interest level: PreK
Summary: A girl swims in the ocean discovering what's around her. It teaches us all about oceans and the creatures and plants that live there.
Picture book: Yes
Moral of the story/lesson/theme: Learning about sea animals.
Topic: Animals
Is it a good read aloud book? Yes
Turkey Trouble
Title: Turkey Trouble
Author: Wendi J Silvano
Illustrator: Lee Harper
Genre: Fiction
Copyright: 2009
Reading level: Grade 1-2
Interest level: PreK-1
Summary: A turkey is in trouble because it’s almost Thanksgiving! The turkey has an idea to look like the other farm animals. After many attempts, Turkey comes up with the perfect disguise as a pizza delivery man and gets away not being eating for dinner.
Picture book: Yes
Moral of the story/lesson/theme: Turkey is an animal and didn't want to be eaten.
Topic: Animals
Is it a good read aloud book? Yes
Emily's Day in the Desert
Title: Emily's Day in the Desert: A Kids Yoga Desert Book
Author: Giselle Shardlow
Illustrator: Vicky Bowes
Genre: Fiction
Copyright: 2017
Reading level: Grade 1-2
Interest level: 4-7 years-old
Summary: Emily takes a trip to the desert with her parents. At Death Valley, Emily uses a notebook to check off all the desert animals she sees. Also, Emily does a lot of different yoga poses throughout the story.
Picture book: Yes
Moral of the story/lesson/theme: Learning about the desert and what animals live there.
Topic: Animals
Is it a good read aloud book? Yes
Bee & Me
Title: Bee & Me
Author: Elle J McGuiness
Illustrator: Heather Brown
Genre: Fiction
Copyright: 2008
Reading level: Grade 1
Interest level: 4-7 years-old
Summary: A bee flew into a young boys home. At first, he was afraid of getting stung by the bee but realized he doesn’t need to be afraid. He learns that bees are essential to keep plants, tree, fruits alive.
Picture book: Yes
Moral of the story/lesson/theme: Bees are very important, without them plants and crops will die.
Topic: Animals/Insects
Is it a good read aloud book? Yes
Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea
Title: Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea
Author: Jan Peck
Illustrator: Valeria Petrone
Genre: Nautical fiction
Copyright: 2003
Reading level: K
Interest level: PreK-1
Summary: A little boy describes his adventure into the deep blue sea. He finds many new creatures in the ocean and then discovers a pirate's treasure chest, but he leaves most of it behind when he meets a shark. Still, he manages to bring a coin back up to his mother, who is waiting for him at the surface.
Picture book: Yes
Moral of the story/lesson/theme: Learning about new sea creatures.
Topic: Animals
Is it a good read aloud book? Yes
Zoo Day
Title: Zoo Day
Author: Anne Rockwell
Illustrator: Lizzy Rockwell
Genre: Fiction
Copyright: 2017
Reading level: Grade 1-2
Interest level: 4-8 years-old
Summary: For the first time, a young boy and his family visit the zoo.
Picture book: Yes
Moral of the story/lesson/theme: Learning about what animals are in the zoo.
Topic: Animals
Is it a good read aloud book? Yes
Down On the Farm
Title: Down On the Farm
Author: Merrily Kutner
Illustrator: Will Hillenbrand
Genre: Fiction
Copyright: 2004
Reading level: Grade 1
Interest level: PreK-K
Summary: It's about all the different animals that you may see on the farm and what noise they make.
Picture book: Yes
Moral of the story/lesson/theme: Learning the different animals living on a farm.
Topic: Animals
Is it a good read aloud book? Yes
Froggy's Sleepover
Title: Froggy’s Sleepover
Author: Jonathan London
Illustrator: Frank Remkiewicz
Genre: Fiction
Copyright: 2005
Reading level: Grade 2-3
Interest level: Grade K-3
Summary: It’s Froggy’s first sleepover. Before he goes to Max's house, he packs his pajamas, huggy, and toothbrush. When Froggys wants to sleep, Max decides to tell a scary story. Afterwards the two of them walked back and forth to each other's house, scared to fall asleep.
Picture book: Yes
Moral of the story/lesson/theme: Staying away home can be scary.
Topic: Animals
Is it a good read aloud book? Yes
