18 Heartwarming Books for Kids Who Love Animals

Miguel lives in New York City with his Mami and Papi and wants more than anything to be an artist, even though his immigrant parents want him to have a more traditional career. The next thing on Miguel’s wishlist is a pet, so what a joy when he finds a cat near his parents’ bodega. Written from the perspectives of Lolo the cat and Miguel, we follow these two as Lolo adjusts to having a family and learning to share his space and the love he’s received and Miguel finds a way to share his artsy dreams with his family. Bodega Cats: Picture Purrfect is the first in a new charming, family-first series about kids and the stray cats they find near bodegas. Ages 7+

Kids love this beloved classic inspired by a true story. It’s about a gorilla who lives in an enclosed glass cage in a mall. At first, Ivan is content with his quarters — for over 20 years. But when a baby elephant is brought into the enclosure, Ivan starts to remember his home and sees his current home as the captivity that it is. This is a sweet and moving verse novel for young readers.

When an encounter with a thrift store blanket turns Felix Powell into a dog, he’s delighted to finally be able to talk to animals, wag his tail, and get super smell senses, but he soon realizes that being a dog isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Will he ever be a boy again? This book is so whimsical, with just the right amount of action and a lovable male protagonist. Perfect for kids who love dogs! Ages 8+

In this hilarious illustrated story, one dog adopted by a couple to keep their son company takes protecting his family to a new level when a pair of crooks encroach on their home. Every page of this book is unexpected and hysterical and the ending is so heartwarming. Ages 8+

This funny, high-action series about crime-fighting pigeons in the city is wildly entertaining and so accessible, with tons of illustrations reminiscent of the Bad Guys series. Hand to fans of wacky stories like Dog Man looking to branch into more prose-heavy storytelling. Ages 8+

When a kitten is adopted into a rowdy home full of animals and a girl, Georgina, is adjusting to her parent’s divorce, he’s eager to leave and be reunited with his sister. But he quickly finds his place, and his heart grows to love his new family. This charming, gentle story is sweet and told from the perspective of Elvis, the kitten, with interspersed texts between Georgina and her parents. Ages 9+

Maggie loves animals and has been waiting patiently to get a dog, only to discover that she’s allergic. She’s also dealing with a changing family in which she feels less and less like she belongs. Maggie starts getting shots to get her allergies under control while on the hunt for a hypoallergenic pet. Things appear to be looking up when Maggie meets Claire, an only child living with her single dad, who indulges her every whim. Claire is one grade above Maggie, but the two become fast friends — until Claire gets a dog. Allergic is a sweet, realistic depiction of what it’s like to suffer from allergies. Ages 8+

This story is just as cute as this book’s cover! Odder is a fearless otter who loves to play and tell stories to entertain everyone. But when she encounters a great white shark, she’s injured and has to be brought into the aquarium to heal. There are many beautiful illustrations in this book and it’s also inspired by a true story. Ages 8+

Clementine is a genius mouse who’s lived in a lab where she undergoes lots of testing. But one day, a kind lab technician frees her. On the run, Clementine has to survive, all the while brainstorming ways to rescue her other friends from the lab. This is a super charming book on the longer side, perhaps better for older kids. Ages 9+

Madi and her friends Jack and Aaron make a rescue at Lake Wild, saving two beaver kits, but they have a problem. Madi’s parents have said she cannot bring home any more strays. In fact, if she does, she’ll lose her trip to see acclaimed primatologist Jane Goodall. But neither Aaron nor Jack can take in the kits, and their local shelter is full. Madi takes them, hiding them in a shed on her parents’ property until she can figure out her next steps. Madi and her friends also need to figure out who is killing the beavers and why. This is a sweet, entertaining, and informative book about rescuing animals, caring for beavers, and advocating for the environment. Ages 9+

Meet Lety Muñoz, whose parents are hardworking Mexican immigrants. She and her brother are also learning English, and she’s very self-conscious about speaking correctly in this new language. She doesn’t give herself enough credit for how much she’s made. Still, this summer is supposed to be fun. She’s volunteering at an animal shelter with her best friends. However, it quickly becomes stressful when two boys set up a contest between Lety and another volunteer (who reads at the high school level) for the role of Shelter Scribe. Lety Out Loud is a CUTE and inspiring young middle grade book about the immigrant experience, pets, and building friendships. Ages 9+

Miss Lottie owns several “secondhand dogs” — dogs to whom she’s given a second chance. There’s Gus, the scraggly insecure pack leader, Tank the protective bulldog, nervous three-legged hunting dog, Roo, and the youngest pack member, Moonpie. She also has a cat named Ghost. When Miss Lottie brings home a new dog who wants to become the center of attention — and the only dog at home for that matter — the peace at home is threatened. The story is told from each of the dog’s perspectives — in the before (Miss Lottie) and after — as well as Miss Lottie’s and Quinn’s (the tween who cares for the dogs), also in the before and after. Secondhand Dogs is a sweet, heartwarming story about second chances and finding and protecting your pack — whether human and animal. Ages 9+

In Duet, we meet a young goldfinch, Mirabelle. Mirabelle lives with her mother and brothers in a nest next to a piano teacher’s house. Mr. Starek, the piano teacher, is now aged but has received a new student, Jin, who does not seem pleased to be taking lessons from Mr. Starek. After weeks of reluctance, Jin starts to play, and surprisingly, Mirabelle joins in, forcing Jin to notice her. Soon, the two begin to create duets together during Jin’s practice sessions. When Jin and Mirabelle find out that Mr. Starek’s late sister might have a special piano in her foreclosed home, they band together in a new way to investigate and solve a decades-old mystery about Frederick Chopin’s piano. This is an enrapturing, unique story about music, friendship, history, and birds — especially goldfinches. Ages 8+

Meet the Bin family, a trio of raccoons in the risky business of dumpster diving for all their needs. With Dusty’s brains, ReRe’s muscle, and Scraps’s gadgets (please don’t tell him he’s almost definitely an opossum), the Binses are determined to leave no garbage bin unturned in their pursuit of the tastiest, most delicious trash they can find. When the family discovers a new upscale grocery store that’s throwing away their perfectly good food at the end of each day, the Binses hatch a heist so daring it’ll have them rolling in garbage all winter long. But a critter-despising CEO, Jeff Beans, and the high-tech defense system he’s installed means liberating that trash is going to take all the skills the Racc Pack have…and maybe some help from a cat burglar with a mysterious past. Ages 8+

I truly loved this graphic novel about three friends who start a dog-walking business. It feels true to kids (feels like something I would’ve LOVED as a child who adored The Babysitters’ Club), and I enjoyed seeing the ethnic diversity and the parental involvement in this story. If you have kids who love animals or have an entrepreneurial streak, this book is for them. It’s also delightfully short, and this is a series I totally plan to keep up with since every book is from a different girl’s perspective. Ages 7+

Pawcasso is what 11-year-old Jo names the basket-toting dog in town when a group of kids at the library mistake her for the dog’s owner. Jo is a lonely kid bored at home during the summer holidays and missing her father, who works in a different city and visits the family periodically. She’s seen the dog walking through her neighborhood several times. As the kids fall more in love with “Pawcasso,” and by extension, Jo, she begins to enjoy having friends in her life. But what happens when the lie is exposed? Jo also begins to worry whether her new plan is endangering Pawcasso’s freedom. Pawcasso is an adorable middle grade graphic novel with a relatable protagonist and a sweet dog friend. Ages 9+

When Ash’s mom ships him off to the island to spend the summer with his dad, he’s forced to do community service at a dog shelter where he gets to know different dog breeds and personalities — as do readers. Varner includes a note about a different dog breed at the start of each chapter as Ash makes new friends, becomes an asset to the shelter, and gets closer to his dad and stepmom and sibling, he experiences a life-changing summer. Heads up for the death of one dog (not on the page!). I can see animal lovers ADORING this one! Ages 9+