10 Zoo Books for Wild Toddlers

One of the many great things about living in the city is the easy access to parks, museums, and unique play spaces for little ones. We are fortunate enough to have America's oldest zoo right in our backyard in Philadelphia, and we try to get there at least once a month. Frequent visitor tip: get there when the zoo first opens and head straight to the PECO Primate Preserve. You'll have the place to yourself before the crowds start to fill in; the animals are usually just walking into their displays and are very active. We could watch the orangutans and gibbons all day!  A recent trip to the zoo got me thinking about some of our favorite zoo-themed books to read together. The following are all approved by my wild toddler! Enjoy!

Peek-A-Zoo! by Nina Laden

A follow up to Peek-A-Who? (our copy has been read/chewed so many times that we are ready for a new one!), this short, pleasingly predictable story will have little ones begging to read it again...and again...and again... We've read this book enough now that my oldest can "read" it on his own.

Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell

Lift-the-flap books are always a winner in our house.  A little boy writes a letter to the zoo, asking them to send the perfect pet. Giggle along as he opens each delivery to decide on the perfect pet.

Goodnight, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann

A wonderful bedtime book for the wildest of toddlers. After a long day at the zoo, the zookeeper is putting the animals to bed. Look out - there is one mischievous animal that is not quite ready to sleep. Sounds a little like my house at bedtime!

Roar Baby Roar by Karen Katz

Another lift-the-flap book for the win. Follow along as a little girl searches for a tiger, while uncovering some unexpected animal friends.

At the Zoo Shadow Book by Roger Priddy

Priddy books are pretty popular with my little guys. The bright pictures and simple text make them easy for little ones to "read" themselves. Have fun guessing the animal's shadows, then get outside and explore shadows of your own! 

Bright Baby Touch and Feel Zoo by Roger Priddy

Have a wriggly, giggly baby that can't sit still long enough to make it through a whole book? This title from Priddy Books will engage the youngest readers with animal photos and exciting textures to explore.

Animal Strike at the Zoo. It's True! by Karma Wilson

Say it ain't so - it's a strike at the zoo! What will the animals do when a Little Sue comes to visit? Follow along with this rollicking rhyme to find out. 

From Head to Toe by Eric Carle

From Head to Toe was a book that I always kept close at hand when I taught Kindergarten. This is a wonderful call-and-respond read aloud, filled with silly animal action. Work out the wiggles from your head to your toes as you stomp like an elephant, thump like a gorilla, and more!

1,2,3 to the Zoo by Eric Carle

A book with no words is no problem when Eric Carle is the illustrator. Hop on the train and count along with the animals as you make your way to the zoo. 

Color Zoo by Lois Ehlert

Using simple shapes and bold colors, Ehlert creates nine different animals in this classic book. Use this book as inspiration to create your very own shape animals!

There are so many great zoo books written for toddlers that it was difficult to narrow it down to just ten! What are some of your favorite zoo books? Share them in the comments below!