12 best childrens books by ages

Children's books categorized by age often include a variety of themes, and those featuring animals are particularly popular. Here's an overview of children's books by age with a focus on animals:

Board Books (0-2 years):
- Theme: Basic concepts and simple narratives with large, colorful images.
- Animal Content: Books may introduce common animals with vibrant illustrations. Topics often include animal sounds and basic features.
Picture Books (2-6 years):
- Theme: Richly illustrated stories that capture young imaginations.
- Animal Content: Many picture books feature animals as central characters, often in whimsical or humorous situations. Themes can include friendship, adventure, and basic moral lessons.
Early Readers (5-8 years):
- Theme: Simple stories with larger font sizes to support emerging readers.
- Animal Content: Early readers may feature animal protagonists, introducing more complex storylines and vocabulary. These books often focus on relatable experiences and lessons.
Chapter Books (6-9 years):
- Theme: Longer narratives with more complex plots.
- Animal Content: Chapter books may include animal characters as part of broader adventures. Themes can range from talking animals to stories set in animal habitats.
Middle-Grade Books (8-12 years):
- Theme: Intricate plots with character development.
- Animal Content: Some middle-grade books feature animals as companions to human characters or explore themes related to wildlife conservation. Animal protagonists may undergo personal growth or embark on adventures.
Young Adult (YA) Books (12 and up):
- Theme: More mature themes with complex narratives.
- Animal Content: YA books with animal themes may explore the relationships between humans and animals in more nuanced ways. They could touch on topics like environmentalism, animal rights, or the bond between humans and pets.
Interactive and Activity Books:
- Theme: Engagement through activities, crafts, and games.
- Animal Content: Activity books may feature animal-themed puzzles, coloring pages, and interactive stories.These books aim to entertain while incorporating educational elements about animals.
Educational and Non-Fiction Books:
- Theme: Informational content and learning experiences.
- Animal Content: Non-fiction books for children often include topics related to animals, covering aspects like habitats, behavior, and interesting facts. They are designed to be educational and engaging.
Picture Storybooks (4-8 years):
- Theme: Longer narratives with advanced vocabulary.
- Animal Content: Picture storybooks may feature animals in stories that emphasize character development and more complex plotlines. The stories often convey moral or social lessons.
Graphic Novels (8 and up):
- Theme: Storytelling through a combination of illustrations and text.
- Animal Content: Graphic novels with animal themes explore a wide range of genres, from fantasy adventures with animal characters to realistic portrayals of animals in their natural habitats.

When choosing children's books by age, the inclusion of animal themes can make the reading experience both entertaining and educational, fostering a love for literature and an appreciation for the natural world.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best childrens books by ages on the market

Yardsticks: Child and Adolescent Development Ages 4 - 14

Based on 308 reviews Check latest price

Percy Jackson and the Olympians 5 Book Paperback Boxed Set (new covers w/poster) (Percy Jackson & the Olympians)

Based on 18 reviews Check latest price

Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen: The Essential Conversations You Need to Have with Your Kids Before They Start High School

Harmony

Based on 36 reviews Check latest price

The Boxcar Children Bookshelf (The Boxcar Children Mysteries, Books 1-12)

Albert Whitman & Company

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Product features

The Boxcar Children Early Reader 4 Books Set

Start reading with the Boxcar Children! This set includes the first four books of Gertrude Chandler Warner’s>The Boxcar Children, Surprise Island, The Yellow House Mystery, and Mystery Ranch.

The Boxcar Children Bookshelf

A deluxe Boxcar bookcase that contains 12 titles-- The Boxcar Children Mysteries #1 though #12. Also, included are Boxcar activities, poster, and accordion bookmark with title checklist. The bookcase can expand to hold up to 32 books.

The Boxcar Children Books 1-4

The paperback editions of The Boxcar Children Mysteries: #1, The Boxcar Children; #2, Surprise Island; #3, The Yellow House Mystery; and #4. Mystery Ranch are offered together in a cardboard case.

Coloring Book Animals For Kids: For Preschool Children Ages 3-5 - Turtle, Dolphin, Lion & Many More Big Animal Illustrations To Color For Boys & Girls ... Coloring Books For Children Ages 3-5)

Based on 4 reviews Check latest price

School Zone - Connect the Dots Workbook - Ages 3 to 5, Preschool to Kindergarten, Dot-to-Dots, Counting, Number Puzzles, Numbers 1-10, Coloring, and More (School Zone Get Ready!™ Book Series)

Based on 2 reviews Check latest price

Product features

Time-Tested Tools

Our learning materials have helped educate three generations of kids, creating life-long learners, and the legacy continues. Digital content, flash cards, workbooks, readers, toys and games—all are crafted through a child’s eyes, while integrating parent and teacher standards.

Writing by Hand Improves Memory

Writing in workbook pages, as opposed to typing on a computer, can help kids focus and learn. Writing by hand fires up specific areas of a child's brain, improving the ability to both remember what he or she learns and to think of new ideas.

Longer Retention

Kids and parents who use our flash cards for practice testing are using one of the most effective learning techniques available. A hundred years of research shows practice testing is highly likely to boost retention.

Reading Has Lifelong Benefits

A love of reading has been proven to have far-reaching benefits for children, emotionally and academically. And children who enjoy reading become confident readers and read more often.

Kids Love Technology

School Zone’s digital content supports children’s learning goals by enhancing problem-solving and critical thinking, as well as reinforcing skills through multisensory activities. It also improves language skills, increases motivation to stay on task, and stimulates curiosity and imagination.

Not Just for Fun

When kids play games together, they learn a healthy sense of competition and experience the joy of winning and empathy for losing. Along the way, they learn collaboration, cooperation, and problem-solving. Creative play stimulates imagination and nurtures emotional well-being.