I loved growing up with a dog, and I love that my daughter has our dog to play with, read to, and share adventures with. Having a dog also helps her to learn about responsibility. Just today she ran to the door with a paper towel to clean the dog’s nose prints off the glass. Since we are a dog loving family, I love finding great children’s books about pets that showcase all the fun that having a pet can bring to your life. So today I gathered this list of funny pet books for kids. From real pets to imagined ones, there are lots of fun stories for all families to enjoy!

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Funny Dog Stories

Sabra the Long-Legged Goofy (mixed) Saluki

Written by Nina Halper and illustrated by Danna Victoria

This sweet book introduces the reader to Sabra, a big adorable dog who was rescued by her owner. The story follows Sabra from Israel to her new home with her owner Nina. The story is accompanied by adorable illustrations highlighting the large size and silly spirit of Sabra. Kids will love the funny images of Sabra in all kinds of silly scenarios.

A Dog Named Doug

Written by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Matt Myers

In this fun story from the author of Bear Snores On, readers follow the adventures of Doug, a playful dog who loves to dig. Doug gets into all kinds of trouble with his digging, leading him through dangerous places and faraway lands. The text uses a repeated refrain that kids will enjoy repeating, while the illustrations are full of funny situations.

See the activities and fun cookie recipe that we paired with this book here!

Land Shark

Written by Beth Ferry and illustrated by Ben Mantle

Bobby wants a shark for his birthday, and he asks his parents over and over again. However, when his birthday rolls around, he is surprised to find a dog instead of a shark. Throughout the book, Bobby laments the fact that a puppy is nothing like a shark. But the illustrations show just how shark-like the little dog actually is. The story shares a sweet message, and kids will love the hilarious illustrations.

Check out our shark inspired activities here!

I’m a Baked Potato!

Written by Elisa Primavera and illustrated by Juana Medina

In this silly story, a little dog lives with his owner who loves baked potatoes. The dog begins to think that he is a baked potato, but when he gets lost, he learns some important lessons about who he is. The funny story will have kids laughing, and they will love the adorable puppy in the illustrations.

Thinker: My Puppy Poet and Me

Written by Eloise Greenfield and illustrated by Ehsan Abdollahi

This collection of poems follows a young boy and his dog who both see themselves as poets. But as a dog, Thinker has to keep his poetry to himself. When Pet Day rolls around at school, Thinker is finally able to join his owner, and together they learn important lessons about being yourself. The illustrations are bright and colorful, and the text uses lots of different styles of poetry to tell the story.

Funny Pet Books

A Piglet Named Mercy

Written by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen

This picture book prequel to the Mercy Watson series explores how Mr. and Mrs. Watson came to meet the adorable little piglet who changed their ordinary lives. The story is sweet, and the illustrations have a vintage feel to them. This is a great introduction to the character for fans of the Mercy Watson series, or younger kids whose older siblings are already fans.

Sophie Johnson, Unicorn Expert

Written by Morag Hood and illustrated by Ella Okstad

In this funny story, a girl named Sophie Johnson shares all of the steps to owning and taking care of unicorns. She considers herself a unicorn expert and she dresses her brother, pets, and stuffed animals to look like unicorns. However, while she is busy taking care of all her pretend unicorns, she neglects to notice that there is a real unicorn in their midst. The simple story is accompanied by funny illustrations, and kids will love searching for the unicorn hidden throughout.

Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Make Waves

Written by Lauren H. Kerstein and illustrated by Nate Wragg

In this cute story, a young boy named Charlie is taking his pet dragon to the pool. There are lots of things to consider when taking a dragon to the pool, and Charlie walks the reader through them. In addition to being a funny story, there are great lessons about safety at the pool. The illustrations are hilarious and kids will love watching the silly dragon wreak havoc.

How to Take Care of Your Dinosaur

Written by Jason Cockcroft

A dinosaur may seem like a fun pet, but as this funny book explains, they would be a lot of work. The text shares lots of tips for taking care of your dinosaur, most of which are similar to taking care of other pets. The illustrations are bright and colorful, showing the adorable dinosaur making a bit of a mess as his owner follows along. Kids will love seeing the silly situations that the dinosaur gets into, and will learn important lessons about all the work that goes into pet ownership.

Pet Counting Books

A Horse Named Jack

Written by Linda Vander Heyden and illustrated by Petra Brown

This counting book follows a mischievous horse named Jack as he lets himself out of his stall and goes on an adventure. He greets all kinds of animals and causes a bit of a mess before escaping to a neighbor’s garden. The text creatively counts from 1 to 10, then back down again. The accompanying illustrations are beautiful, with textured drawings done in a bright color palette.

Pippa and Percival, Pancake and Poppy: Four Peppy Puppies

Written by Deborah Diesen and illustrated by Grace Zong

This cute story follows a group of puppies as they go out wandering on an adventure. One puppy finds another puppy and so on, until 4 puppies end up walking together. When they come across a frightening situation, they all race back home again. The rhyming text has a peppy rhythm that makes it fun to read aloud, and the illustrations feature adorable, fluffy puppies that will have kids wanting to get their own!

Pretty Kitty

Written by Karen Beaumont and illustrated by Stephanie Laberis

In this rhyming story, an old man finds a stray cat who follows him home. Soon one cat becomes two, and more show up every day. He insists that he doesn’t want a cat, and tells them to “scat!”. In the end, he becomes worried about the little kitties staying outside in the cold, and the reader learns why he was so resistant to welcome them in. The text has a peppy rhythm and repeated refrain that kids will enjoy reading aloud. The illustrations are beautiful, using dark shadows to emphasize the old man’s loneliness and the cold of the city.

What are your favorite funny pet books for kids? Share in the comments below!

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