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Animal Friendship Picture Books

25 Animal Friendship Picture Books

Posted on June 30, 2015May 13, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

Please welcome Maria Gianferrari today who is making lists of her favorite books in honor of her debut picture book out next week! You might recognize Maria from blog comments here; she always has the best book recommendations!

—————

Mia kindly agreed to participate in my blog tour to celebrate the release of my debut picture book, Penny & Jelly: The School Show, illustrated by Thyra Heder, which will be published by HMH Books for Young Readers on July 7th.

Penny & Jelly: The School Show by Maria G.

In honor of my main character, Penny, who’s a list-maker, here are my Top 5 book recommendations pertaining to some of the book’s themes. Since Penny’s best friend is her canine companion, Jelly, these are some of my go-to picture books that highlight friendship.

Go-To Picture Books that Highlight Friendship

Frog & Toad series by Arnold Lobel

A classic friendship story—Frog and Toad always have each other’s backs.

George & Martha series by James Marshall

Two hilarious hippos like to play pranks on one another.

Version 1.0.0

A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip Stead, illustrated by Erin Stead

When zookeeper Amos gets sick, his animal friends come to the rescue.

Two Speckled Eggs by Jennifer K. Mann

Birthday girl, Ginger finds a friend in odd Lyla Browning, who smells like old leaves, in this heartwarming story.

Penguin and Pinecone by Salina Yoon

A sweet and touching story of friendship between a penguin and a pinecone that must return to the forest.

 

Non Fiction Picture Books Of Unlikely Friendships

Tarra & Bella by Carol Buckley

A friendship between a stray dog, and a retired circus elephant that will melt your heart.

Owen & Mzee by Isabella & Craig Hatkoff

Another true friendship story between an orphaned baby hippo and a giant tortoise.

Suryia & Roscoe by Bhagavan “Doc” Antle, Barry Bland, and Thea Feldman

A fabulous friendship between an orangutan and a stray dog. The photos are so sweet!

Two Bobbies by Kirby Larson & Mary Nethery

A poignant and true story of a friendship between a dog and a cat orphaned after Hurricane Katrina. Get your tissues ready!

Unlikely Friendships by Jennifer Holland

47 Stories highlighting all kinds of inter-species friendship with creatures such as snakes, capybaras, iguanas, donkeys, goats, potbellied pigs, cats & rats, etc., with wonderful photographs.

One of Penny’s great strengths is her creativity. These books celebrate creativity and self-expression.

 

Picture Books Celebrating Creativity

My Pen by Christopher Myers

Brilliant black and white sketches come to life in this story about the power of the pen and imagination.

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown

A prim and proper Victorian tiger explores his wild and colorful side. And it’s contagious.

The Right Word: Roget and his Thesaurus by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Melissa Sweet

I absolutely LOVE this book! Like my main character, Penny, Roget expressed himself through his word lists. The text is lovely and lyrical and so spot on, and Sweet’s stellar illustrations bring it to life.

The Mad Potter: George E. Ohr, Eccentric Genius by Jan Greenberg & Sandra Jordan

An amazing biography of an artist well ahead of his time. His creations are wild and weird and will astound you.

A Poem in Your Pocket by Margaret McNamara, illustrated by G. Brian Karas

This book makes me weep with joy and will make you love poetry. The main character, Elinor, struggles to find her voice and write the perfect poem in time for the school assembly with a visiting poet.

 

And even though there are no birds in the story, I’m a bird nerd, so here are some beloved bird book recommendations.

Beloved Bird Picture Books

You Nest Here with Me by Jane Yolen & Heidi Stemple, illustrated by Melissa Sweet

A lyrical bird lullaby, with stunning illustrations by Melissa Sweet (can you tell she’s also one of my favorite illustrators?)

Have You Heard the Nesting Bird by Rita Gray, illustrated by Kenard Pak

I love the refrain and rhythm of this gentle story, with lovely artwork.

Mama Built a Little Nest by Jennifer Ward, illustrated by Steve Jenkins

Spectacular collage art by Steve Jenkins, coupled with Ward’s soothing story, make this a winning picture book with a familiar beat. Can you hear what it is?

Alex the Parrot, No Ordinary Bird: A True Story by Stephanie Spinner, illustrated by Meilo So

Based on the true story of Alex, the famous African grey parrot, trained by psychologist Irene Pepperberg. He could understand thousands of words, count, calculate, and speak. I also enjoyed her book about their relationship, Alex & Me.

Unbeatable Beaks by Stephen Swinburne, illustrated by Joan Paley

A fun, rhythmic read aloud that explores cool bird beaks and their functions.

 

And last but not least, here are some of Penny & Jelly’s favorite dog books.

Favorite Dog Picture Books

Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Christian Robinson

Ooh-la-la! I LOVE this book, and you will too! Merveilleux!

Hound from the Pound by Jessica Swaim, illustrated by Jill McElmurry

Rollicking rhyme from Swaim and adorable illustrations of Hound and his slew of shelter dog friends. McElmurry’s illustrations are sweet and funny.

My Father the Dog by Elizabeth Bluemle, illustrated by Randy Cecil

This is oh, so LOL funny, and such a great read-aloud.

Little Dog Lost by Monica Carnesi

Based on the true story of a dog stranded on an ice floe in the Baltic Sea, and his rescue by research vessel, R/V Baltica, where he’s christened Baltic and finds a new home.

Dogku by Andrew Clement, illustrated by Tim Bowers

A stray pooch named Mooch finds a forever home in this heartwarming haiku story.

 

Signed Giveaway of Penny & Jelly: The School Show

To win a signed copy of Penny & Jelly: The School Show, please fill out the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Penny & Jelly: The School Show by Maria G. Maria writes both fiction and nonfiction picture books from her sunny, book-lined study in northern Virginia, with dog, Becca as her muse. Maria’s debut picture book, Penny & Jelly: The School Show, illustrated by Thyra Heder, will be released on July 7th, 2015 (HMH Books for Young Readers). A companion Penny & Jelly book titled, Penny & Jelly Slumber Under the Stars, will be released in June 2016. Maria has five additional books forthcoming from Roaring Brook and Boyds Mills Presses as well as Aladdin Books for Young Readers in the coming years. To learn more about Maria, visit her website or on Facebook. And you can visit Penny & Jelly at their website. I love talking books! Thanks so much for letting me stop by, Mia!

 

To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book. Animal Friendship Picture Books & Giveaway!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Follow PragmaticMom’s board ‘Best of’ PragmaticMom on Pinterest.

 

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE FOR PENNY & JELLY: THE SCHOOL SHOW

Friday, June 26th:  Kidlit411

Monday, June 29th:  Miss Marple’s Musings

Tuesday, June 30th: Pragmatic Mom

Wednesday, July 1st:  Watch Connect Read

Thursday, July 2nd:  Kidlitfrenzy

Friday, July 3rd:  Writing for Kids While Raising Them

Monday, July 6th – Friday, July 10th:  Emu’s Debuts

Monday, July 13th:  Bildebok

Tuesday, July 14th: HMH Picture Book Parade

 

p.s. Related posts:

Five New Rescue Dog Books

10 Hilarious Cat and Dog Picture Books

Top 10: Best Dogs in Children’s Books

10 Books on Helping Endangered Animals

10 Books that Invite Falling Asleep with Animals

Best Non-Fiction Animal Picture Books That Teach Math

Best Books for 2nd Grade Girl but No Animals Talking, Fantasy or Adoption Themes

 

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Multicultural Books for Kids on Pinterest.

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Children’s Book Activities on Pinterest.

 

My books:

We Sing From the Heart picture book cover reveal of The Slants Simon Tam

 Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Cover Reveal: Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime!Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World

  • Junior Library Guild Gold selection
  • Massachusetts Book Award Long List
  • Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
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 Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me

cover for Sumo JoeChanging the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes by Mia WenjenAmazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship: An Insider’s Guide

How To Coach Girls by Mia Wenjen and Alison FoleyAsian Pacific American Heroes

24 thoughts on “25 Animal Friendship Picture Books”

  1. Maria Gianferrari says:
    June 30, 2015 at 10:16 am

    Thanks so much for hosting me, Mia!!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      July 7, 2015 at 11:03 am

      Thank you so much for your fun book lists Maria!!

      Reply
  2. Leslie N says:
    June 30, 2015 at 12:01 pm

    My favorite: The Kissing Hand.

    Reply
    1. maria gianferrari says:
      June 30, 2015 at 1:35 pm

      Thanks, Leslie! I’ll have to check that one out!

      Reply
    2. Pragmatic Mom says:
      July 7, 2015 at 11:03 am

      Hi Leslie,
      That’s a great one!! I love The Kissing Hand! I think it’s one of those picture books that are timeless!

      Reply
  3. Rebecca says:
    June 30, 2015 at 2:25 pm

    Great lists. I love birds too, though I don’t think I’ve earned the title Bird Nerd yet. Congratulations on your debut!

    Reply
    1. maria gianferrari says:
      June 30, 2015 at 4:21 pm

      You can be an honorary bird nerd, Rebecca ;). Looking forward to reading What About Moose! Congrats!

      Reply
      1. Pragmatic Mom says:
        July 7, 2015 at 11:05 am

        What About Moose was a big hit at my local bookstore. I’ll have to get a copy!! Thanks for the recommendation Maria!

        Reply
    2. Pragmatic Mom says:
      July 7, 2015 at 11:04 am

      Hi Rebecca,
      I wish I was a Bird Nerd!!

      Reply
  4. Heather Ayris Burnell says:
    June 30, 2015 at 2:31 pm

    Love the lists! One of my favorite bird books is When Agnes Cawes by Candace Fleming.

    Reply
    1. Maria Gianferrari says:
      July 1, 2015 at 1:06 pm

      Thanks for the book recommendation, Heather–I’ll have to check that one out! 🙂

      Reply
    2. Pragmatic Mom says:
      July 7, 2015 at 11:04 am

      Thanks for your great book recommendation Heather!

      Reply
  5. Sheri Dillard says:
    June 30, 2015 at 3:09 pm

    You always have the best book recommendations, Maria! I’ll check them out! Congrats on Penny & Jelly! I can’t wait! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      July 7, 2015 at 11:05 am

      Hi Sheri,
      Maria does, doesn’t she!! I personally benefit greatly from her vast knowledge of children’s books! Her new book is really wonderful!

      Reply
  6. Patricia Tilton says:
    June 30, 2015 at 10:22 pm

    Saw Maria’s book on another blog. What a great summer read. Also like the great book shares. I especially like the “unlikely pairing” stories.

    Reply
    1. Maria Gianferrari says:
      July 1, 2015 at 1:08 pm

      The unlikely friendship stories are very sweet and heartwarming, Patricia. Have a tissue box handy 🙂

      Reply
      1. Pragmatic Mom says:
        July 7, 2015 at 11:08 am

        Hi Maria,
        Yes, they make me veklempt too!

        Reply
    2. Pragmatic Mom says:
      July 7, 2015 at 11:07 am

      Hi Patricia,
      Me too! Those unlikely animal friends really make me rethink about what animals are capable of.

      Reply
  7. Maria Gianferrari says:
    July 1, 2015 at 1:07 pm

    Thanks so much, Sheri!! XO to you!!

    Reply
  8. Karen Kline says:
    July 2, 2015 at 11:33 am

    Kids who like these books will probably also enjoy this suspenseful nonfiction title: Eight dolphins of Katrina : a true tale of survival written by Janet Wyman Coleman ; illustrated by Yan Nascimbene. Recounts the true story of eight bottlenose dolphins and their trainers who survived the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

    Reply
    1. maria gianferrari says:
      July 4, 2015 at 10:38 am

      Thanks, Karen! I really enjoyed that book too!

      Reply
    2. Pragmatic Mom says:
      July 7, 2015 at 11:11 am

      Hi Karen,
      Thanks for your great book recommendation!! It sounds so great!! I love that it is a true story.

      Reply
  9. ~ linda says:
    July 8, 2015 at 8:40 pm

    Great lists! You have some real favorites of mine in here. Glad you are my neighbor at The Book Nook!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      August 15, 2015 at 12:36 pm

      Hi Linda,
      Thanks so much! I’m glad you liked Maria’s guest post! She has such great book recommendations!

      Reply

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