6 Picture Books for Animal-Loving Fans of Wild Kratts

The Honeybee, by Kristen Hall, illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault
One of my favorite picture books to date, The Honeybee describes the real life of a honey bee. Scientifically accurate, it explains how bees make honey and how they survive in the world—with gorgeous, bright illustrations by Isabelle Arsenault. The impossibly fun rhyming scheme makes it a brilliant read-aloud.

Inky’s Amazing Escape: How a Very Smart Octopus Found His Way Home, by Sy Montgomery, illustrated by Amy Schimler-Safford
Sy Montgomery is a legend among the animal-loving community, and with good reason: her books, for both adults and kids, are fun and informative. Her latest for kids is Inky’s Amazing Escape, about an octopus who wriggles free of his enclosure. Kids will be fascinated by the tale of this strange animal—and parents who want to learn more can dive into Sy’s grown-up book The Soul of an Octopus.

Book of Bones, by Gabrielle Balkan, illustrated by Sam Brewster
As a kid, I was delightfully fascinated with all the stranger elements of animal life, which means I would have been—and, uh, kinda still am—obsessed with Book of Bones. Gabrielle Balkan’s beautiful nonfiction picture book highlights animals by their bones. Skeletons are presented without their animals attached, leaving clues for children to guess who the skeletons belong to—until they turn the page and learn more about the critter. Open to any page to start the fun.

Lovely Beasts, by Kate Gardiner, illustrated by Heidi Smith
Not every critter is loved the same. Lovely Beasts highlights animals that kids might know less about—or know only something inaccurate—with sweet, soft illustrations from Heidi Smith. From rhinos to lions to gorillas, this book supplies a stereotype of an animal followed by a fun fact that kids (and parents) might not know.

Wild Horse Annie: Friend of the Mustangs, by Tracey Fern, illustrated by Steven Salerno
Kids know the importance of advocating for the animals you love, which means they’ll love the new picture book biography about Velma Bronn Johnston, better known as Wild Horse Annie. This horse-lover tirelessly advocated for the American mustang, petitioning Congress with the help of kids to keep them protected and safe. Releasing in February, this is a story not just for horse lovers, but for any kid who loves animals.

Joan Proctor, Dragon Doctor, by Patricia Valdez, illustrated by Felicita Sala
Kids who love learning about strange animals will be inevitably fascinated with komodo dragons—just like Joan Proctor. This biography tracks Joan’s life as she meets and falls in love with komodo dragons, eventually learning how to care for them—and to get the world to care for them in turn. This little-known naturalist will enchant kids and get them begging to learn more about reptiles.