We hope you ‘drool’ over these wonderful preschool books about pets! We love teaching with a pet theme because it’s such fun for preschoolers. Take a peek at some more great theme ideas for your preschoolers with our ultimate list of preschool themes!
Preschool Books About Pets
A pet preschool theme is a wonderful theme for teaching responsibility and types of animals that make a good pet. Plus, it’s such a relatable theme since so many children have pets at home.
This is a theme you can teach any time of the year! A pet theme is also a great tie into a wild animal theme, as children learn the differences between domestic pets and wild animals. You can use our animal yoga cards to add movement to the theme, and don’t miss our engaging animal songs!
Using high-quality books about animals for preschoolers helps children learn about various pet types while engaging in classic informational and fun stories! Check out all the different types of pet preschool books we’ve included:
- Preschool Books About Preparing for a Pet
- Preschool Books About Cats
- Preschool Books About Dogs
- Preschool Books For Aquarium Lovers
- Preschool Books About Unique Pets
For additional pet-themed learning, we’ve created these pet clip cards that teach several preschool math skills! Grab them for free by filling out the form below.
Preschool Books about Preparing for a Pet
Preparing for a pet is the most important part of pet ownership! Preschoolers may not quite understand what it entails and how much responsibility having a pet actually is. These are some great preschool books about the big jobs of having a pet and all the ways you’ll have fun too!
How do Dinosaurs Choose Their Pets? by Jane Yolen
This classic book is full of captivating illustrations of dinosaurs bringing home all sorts of pets! Jane Yolen writes the How do Dinosaurs series and this book measures up. With these silly dinosaurs thinking about bringing home elephants and boa constrictors, they soon remember the right animals for a family pet. This book is such a great way to discuss pets and why some are just not suited for living at home.
The Perfect Pet by Margie Palatini
When you really want a pet, you’ll go to any length to convince your parents! Elizabeth tries everything to persuade her parents to get a pet (any kind of pet)! Then she meets Doug. Doug the bug! He seems like the perfect pet, until her parents meet him on her bed. Perhaps they should have allowed a cozy kitty or a pup? This book is full of laughs and is a spot-on depiction of a kid desperate for a pet.
The Night Before the New Pet by Natasha Wing
Surprises abound in this cute pet story! The family works together to prepare the house for a new puppy. They have everything, a crate, a dog bed, and squeaky toys, all waiting for their new pup. When they arrive at the shelter to pick up the puppy, something magical happens! They fall in love with a kitten and decide there is room for two pets at their house. A sweet story of the bond that happens with your new pets.
Little Kids First Big Book of Pets by Catherine Hughes
Not sure which pet is the best choice for your family? This is the book for you! With facts about every animal from rabbits and gerbils to hermit crabs and milk snakes. Full of vibrant photographs, this is the book for all things pets.
Some Pets by Angela DiTerlizzi
Head to the pet show and learn about all kinds of pets in the neighborhood. With simple text, lots of onomatopoeia, and bold illustrations, this book is a must-have. Your preschoolers will spend lots of time on the last page looking at all the unusual and exciting pets like a pot-bellied pig and a cockatoo!
Preschool Books about Cats
There are lots of things to consider before you get a cat and these books will help your preschooler learn the ins and outs of cat life.
Lola Gets a Cat by Anna McQuinn
A gentle story of one little girl who proves how responsible she is in order to get a cat as a family pet. Lola makes a checklist so that she can keep up with feeding and cleaning her litter box. She gives the kitten time to warm up when arrives at home because she knows the cat isn’t quite ready to play yet. A great pet book for preschoolers learning what it takes to be a pet owner and the importance of being gentle and preparing for a big job.
Who’s That Cat? By Steph Clarkson
Get ready for a curious little cat with this story! Rhyming text and inviting illustrations show that cat getting into all sorts of mischief. From climbing the curtains to pawing for fish in the fish bowl and even getting stuck in a tree, this story proves that cats are busy little pets, but ones that fill our hearts.
Preschool Books about Dogs
Dogs are great pets but they require lots of work and play! Help your preschooler learn more about dog life with these fun preschool books about dogs.
The Pigeon Wants a Puppy by Mo Willems
Do you think a pigeon can care for a puppy? Well, this pigeon sure thinks so! That is until, he meets a real puppy full of slobber, claws, and teeth! Told in classic Mo Willems style, we listen to the dialogue of the Pigeon as he desperately tries to convince and persuade the reader for a dog. This book has great talking points about what dogs really need and is also guaranteed to have your preschooler giggling along.
Good Boy Fergus by David Shannon
A tried and true favorite David Shannon book! This book for preschoolers is full of laugh out loud scenes with a poorly trained and adorable white dog named Fergus. He demands whipped cream on his dinner, begs at the dinner table, and chases cats on the regular. Regardless of his silly antics, he is so very loved by his family. A hilarious book that will became a regular read in the classroom or at home.
Just Me and My Puppy by Mercer Mayer
Follow Critter along as he gets a new puppy to take care of all by himself. He soon learns it will take a little practice and effort to teach him new tricks but he is dedicated to being a responsible dog owner!
Preschool Books for Aquarium Lovers
Who said that your pet has to have four legs? These pets live in a tank and make fabulous stress-free friends.
Not Norman: A Goldfish Story by Kelly Bennett
Having a fish wasn’t his first pet choice. He wanted a pet that he could walk, teach tricks, and snuggle with at bedtime. He decides to trade his pet fish Norman for a different pet. It seems like no matter how hard he tries to trade his pet fish, he finds reasons that Norman might just be a pretty good pet after all.
Pete the Cat: A Pet for Pete by James Dean
This pet book for preschoolers is simple and includes a preschool favorite character, Pete the Cat. Pete gets a goldfish, who he adores, and starts painting pictures of his new pet. But then everyone in the neighborhood wants a picture of his goldfish, Goldie. What should Pete do? A fun book for introducing a pet theme!
Gilbert Goldfish Wants a Pet by Kelly DiPucchio
In this book, we follow Gilbert on his aquarium adventures and his life’s dream of having a pet! That’s right a fish hoping for another pet. He soon learns that many pets come and go at his house including a mouse and a dog! But in the end, he finds his dream pet! It’s a cat…..fish! This book is such a fun take on pets and the importance of having a friend.
Preschool Books About Unique Pets
There are all kinds of pets to choose from, snakes, spiders, ostriches…. Wait, ostriches?! That’s right! Pets come in all shapes and sizes, so we rounded up a few great stories to learn more about these unique pets.
Do Not Wish for a Pet Ostrich by Sarina Siebenaler
In this book, a little girls makes a wish for a pet ostrich and awakes to find her dream has come true! She soon learns that an ostrich makes for a difficult pet after feeding him 78 apples and they are all stuck in his neck. Her day is full of wild adventures which has her wishing that her pet ostrich gets taken to the zoo. Would you wish for an ostrich as a pet?
Memoirs of a Hamster by Devin Scillian
This book is all about a hamster who has got it made… a bowl of seeds, room to run and plenty of yogurt drop treats! But when the cat tells him about all the amazing things outside of his cage, he starts to wonder about getting out and exploring. That turns into quite a dangerous adventure! Seymour the hamster soon discovers that his comfy cage is the perfect place for him.
A Boy and His Bunny by Sean Bryan
This bunny finds a home on top of a little boy’s head! With rhyming text and simple illustrations, this book is so charming and adorable, it has quickly become a favorite in our classroom. A bunny makes a great pet and this book might just inspire a child to think so too!
We hope you love these preschool books about pets! Check out our list of animal books for kids for even more animal fun!
Or check out our done-for-you lesson plans about animals for both preschool and toddlers. Just click on the picture for more information!
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