Children's Reading List
Our Humane Educators use books as a teaching tool to inspire compassion for animals. Check out some of our favorites here!
Top Picks
Title: Buddy Unchained Meet Buddy, a gentle dog who tells about his former life of neglect, abuse, and finally rescue. Through Buddy’s story, children experience what life is like for an abandoned pet and what the power of adoption, love and kindness can do for an animal. |
Title: The Forgotten Rabbit Follow the tale of Bella the rabbit as she makes a giant leap from neglected Easter bunny to cherished animal companion and best friend. A touching story focusing on the human-animal bond, pet care, responsibility and the commitment one makes when choosing a pet. |
Title: Lucky Lucky shares the story of a wild rainbow lorikeet who is captured and then purchased as a pet for a young boy. The boy’s excitement about his new pet wanes as he grows to understand what life in captivity might feel like for a wild animal, and he grapples with choosing between what he might want and what is best for the bird. |
Title: Lola Gets a Cat A great book for young readers, Lola teaches what a big responsibility it is to have a pet, from doing research beforehand to getting all of the supplies and then choosing the right pet to adopt. Lola also demonstrates the importance of treating our pets with kindness and patience. |
More Favorites
Title |
Author |
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All the Way to the Ocean |
Joel Harper |
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Are You Ready for Me? |
Claire Buchwald |
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Danny Dog |
Sid Shapira |
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Esther the Wonder Pig |
Steve Jenkins, Derek Walter, & Caprice Crane |
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Gwen the Rescue Hen |
Leslie Crawford |
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Hey, Little Ant |
Phillip and Hannah Hoose |
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How I Love and Care for My Happy Dog |
Valerie Ingram & Alistair Schroff |
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It’s Raining Pups and Dogs |
Jeanne Prevost |
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Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla |
Katherine Applegate |
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Kamie Cat’s Terrible Night |
Sheila Hamanaka |
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Love Me Gently |
Lisa Wiehebrink |
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Maggie’s Second Chance |
Nancy Furstinger |
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Memoirs of a Hamster |
Devin Scillian |
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Not for me, please! I choose to act green |
Maria Godsey |
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Pablo Puppy’s Search for the Perfect Person |
Sheila Hamanaka |
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Pesky Plastic, An Environmental Story |
Leticia Colon de Mejias |
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Rescue Kitty |
Brenda Fiorini |
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Rescue Pup |
Brenda Fiorini |
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Sad, the Dog |
Sandy Fussell |
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Samurai, A Feral Kitten’s Journey to Find a Home |
Rosemary Wood |
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Saving Audie: A Pitbull Puppy Gets a Second Chance |
Dorothy Hinshaw Patent |
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Sprig the Rescue Pig |
Leslie Crawford |
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The Busy Tree |
Jennifer Ward |
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What Does it Mean to be Green? |
Rana DiOrio |
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When Anju Loved Being an Elephant |
Wendy Henrichs |