The following lists offer just a sampling of fiction and non-fiction books related to each study in the Kindergarten module. Ask your school or local librarian to help you find informational books and care guides that are specific to your class pet. Pet stores also often sell these types of books.

The Class Pet

The following list offers just a sampling of fiction and non-fiction books related to pets and pet care. Ask your school or local librarian to help you find informational books and care guides that are specific to your class pet. Pet stores also often sell these types of books.

ASPCA Pet Care Guides for Kids (a DK Publishing series)

This outstanding paperback series includes guides to understanding and caring for a variety of animals. There are guides for fish, guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits. For a classroom that adopts one of these pets, the relevant book would provide much interest and valuable information.

Can I Keep Him?

By Steven Kellogg. (1992, Puffin)

A humorous story about a child who requests and fantasizes about a number of pets, ranging from cat to bear to dinosaur. A nice book to read aloud for all children, with special appeal for those who may want, but do not have, a pet.

Danny’s Duck

By June Crebbin; illustrated by Clara Vulliamy. (1996, Candlewick Press)

Danny watches a mother duck tending her eggs near the edge of the schoolyard. This simple story elegantly portrays a young naturalist at work, and communicates through careful drawings. A good book to read aloud and discuss informally.

The Essential Rabbit (The Essential Guide series)

By Betsy Sikora Siino, ed.; photographs by Renee Stockdale. (1998, Hungry Minds, Inc.)

Filled with useful information for new or experienced pet owners, as are all the books in this series. Attractive design with excellent photographs. All Essential Guides contain perforated fact cards and helpful pet care hints.

Franklin Wants a Pet

By Paulette Bourgeois; illustrated by Brenda Clark. (1995, Scholastic)

Franklin wants a pet, but needs to convince his parents that he can take care of one. He considers many different types of pets before deciding on a pet fish.

Frogs

By Gail Gibbons. (1994, Holiday House)

Clear and attractive presentation in simple language. Watery scenes portray the frog’s life cycle, feeding habits, and enemies. Also defines the difference between frogs and toads. An excellent book to read aloud or for individual children to enjoy.

Guinea Pigs Don’t Read Books

By Colleen Stanley Bare. (1985, Puffin)

Uses photographs and simple, enlarged text. Presents accurate information about guinea pigs in a humorous way that is accessible to young children. Especially good if you have a pet guinea pig, but also interesting for comparing guinea pigs to other pets.

Hello, Fish: Visiting the Coral Reef

By Sylvia A. Earle; photographs by Wolcott Henry. (2001, National Geographic Society)

Clear and captivating close-up portraits of tropical fish. The text is short and simple; the color photographs are dramatic. The author, a marine biologist, has a unique approach that is informative yet playful. Children will enjoy the photographs and the story of how they were made.

House Rabbit Handbook: How to Live with an Urban Rabbit

By Marinell Harriman. (1995, Drollery)

This book is packed with the collective wisdom of many rabbit lovers. It includes one hundred wonderful candid shots of rabbits in various places. Contains information for integrating a rabbit into one’s life and a helpful how-to section on care and feeding. Useful information for teachers, as well as great pictures to share with children.

I’m as Quick as a Cricket

By Audrey Wood; illustrated by Don Wood. (1998, Child’s Play)

This is a delightful book, with sprightly pictures, in which a child compares himself to a cricket, a snail, an ant, and a whale, among other animals. Children will love the pictures and the story.

The Kingfisher First Animal Encyclopedia

By John Farndon and Jon Kirkwood. (1998, Kingfisher Publications)

An extremely useful book, covering a wide variety of animals with excellent illustrations and photographs. Contains a rich array of easily accessible, interesting facts. Will likely contain information about your class pet, as well as support children’s investigation of other animals.

Measuring Penny

By Loreen Leedy. (1997, Henry Holt)

This is a handsome book with marvelous illustrations. The mathematics and precision included, as a girl measures her pet, are advanced for most kindergartners. But the story is inviting and the pictures well worth showing the children; they will get some interesting ideas from it.

My Guinea Pig and Me (For the Love of Animals Series)

By Immanuel Birmelin; photographs by Monika Wegler. (2001, Barrons)

Children and adults learn which foods guinea pigs like best, games they enjoy playing, and care they need to stay healthy and happy. Includes vivid color photographs and attractive pictorial charts. A good book to share with the class or to have children look at by themselves.

Pets in a Jar: Collecting and Caring for Small Wild Animals

By Seymour Simon; illustrated by Betty Fraser. (1979, Puffin)

Specific guidelines for caring for a variety of small animals (e.g., snails, toads, worms, ants, butterflies, crickets, and more) that may be found and “adopted” for a short time by young naturalists. A good reference book for the classroom.

The Salamander Room

By Anne Mazer; illustrated by Steve Johnson. (1994, Dragonfly)

A boy finds a salamander in the woods and imagines the many things he can do to turn his room into a perfect salamander home. A good book, with beautiful pictures, to read aloud.