Kids literature stands out with its versatility and richness as it provides the best way to teach kids life lessons in an engaging way. Children’s animal book series compel little readers with their unique characters. They find themselves in a new world of imagination where they can explore new adventures through the eyes of companion animals. This also intensifies their love for reading.
Let’s jump into these amazing book series that kids will absolutely love in 2025!
List of 10 Best Children’s Book Series To Read in 2025
Here is another year, and it’s time to elevate your bookshelves with a collection of literary gems that are must-reads for every young reader and listener. There is a wide range of fun and educational animal book series for kids offering interesting stories that teach valuable lessons. We have shortlisted some literary gems for you to pick the best and enjoy reading.
1. Discover the Best Children’s Animal Book Series: John Henry The Friendly Giant
Children’s books are full of amazing stories that teach important lessons while being fun to read. John Henry The Friendly Giant is a six-book series by Cynthia Romaker Fullmer that does this beautifully. The stories have fun characters, important lessons, and a touch of magic. This series is perfect for kids learning about honesty, being themselves, staying loyal, and making friends. Each book brings in new animal characters with problems that kids can understand, making it a great choice for homes, schools, and libraries in 2025.
John Henry The Friendly Giant series tells fun and meaningful stories that teach important lessons to kids. These animal books for kids are set in a colorful jungle and follow John Henry, a kind giant, and his playful friend, Corny the Squirrel. They help different animals solve their problems and learn to be themselves. The lessons in the stories are easy to understand and relate to, and the books are written in a way that makes them exciting and fun to read. This series is perfect for kids between the ages of 6 and 10.
1. John Henry and the Truthful Tiger
In this book, readers are introduced to John Henry, a friendly giant, and his fun friend Corny the Squirrel. The story is about a young tiger who has a secret and isn’t sure if he should tell the truth. With John Henry’s kind advice and Corny’s playful help, the tiger learns why honesty is important. He also discovers that being brave enough to admit mistakes can make friendships even stronger. This book is the beginning of the series and shows how trust and honesty are important for good friendships.
Lesson: Honesty is always the best policy, even when it feels hard.
2. John Henry and the Lonely Skunk
This sweet story is about a skunk who feels lonely because no one wants to be friends with him due to his bad smell. Feeling sad and left out, the skunk asks John Henry and Corny for help. They show him that his smell is actually important and that he has value, no matter what others think.
Lesson: Embrace who you are, and true friends will accept you for it.
3. John Henry and the Dissatisfied Zebra
Have you ever wished you looked different? In this fun story, a zebra named Stripes isn’t happy with how she looks and wishes she could be more unique. With help from John Henry and Corny, her friends, she learns to love her own special qualities and discovers that true confidence comes from believing in herself.
Lesson: Self-acceptance is key to happiness.
4. John Henry and the Jealous Jaguar
Jealousy is a feeling many kids understand, and this story explains it in a nice way. A young jaguar feels jealous because he thinks his best friend likes spending time with a cheetah more than him. He asks John Henry and Corny for help, and they teach him how to trust his friends and stop feeling jealous.
Lesson: Jealousy can harm relationships, but trust and communication strengthen them.
5. John Henry and the Vain Lion
In this story, Raymond the Lion is a well-loved leader who starts focusing too much on how handsome he is. Because of this, he forgets to take care of his responsibilities and friendships. With the help of John Henry and Corny, he learns that being kind and responsible is much more important than how he looks.
Lesson: True leadership and friendship come from kindness and care, not vanity.
6. John Henry and the Loyal Monkey
This story is all about loyalty and friendship. Joey the Monkey was born with a problem in one of his legs, but he is still a kind and faithful friend to Amanda. Amanda loves Joey just the way he is. However, when Amanda makes new friends, they try to convince her to leave Joey behind. Unsure of what to do, Amanda asks John Henry and Corny the Squirrel for advice. With their help, she learns how important it is to stay loyal and stand by her true friends.
Lesson: True friendship is about loyalty and accepting others as they are.
Parents and teachers often want books that are fun to read but also teach and inspire kids. John Henry The Friendly Giant series does all of this:
- Fun Stories: Each book grabs attention with relatable characters and a colorful jungle setting.
- Important Lessons: The stories share valuable messages in a gentle way without sounding like a lecture.
- Great for Conversations: Each book can start meaningful talks about feelings, friendships, and self-confidence.
- Encourages Good Choices: Kids see characters making positive decisions, which inspires them to do the same.
2. The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey from The Top Animal Book Series for Kids
If you are looking for a funny series, then here is a masterpiece that will make you laugh with the story of four animals—Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Mr. Shark, and Mr. Piranha. Their transformation from being bad animals to good ones inspires young readers and motivates them to give their best for a positive change. Its all about making good changes and friends. It is a widely sold series with standout children’s book recommendations.
3. Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
This is another compelling children’s animal book series introducing a unique creature to little readers who is partial man and partial dog. It is the central character who steals hearts with his spirit and heroism. He defeated bad guys and proved his loyalty and bravery.
4. The Puppy Place by Ellen Miles
If you are a true puppy lover, then don’t miss the addition of this interesting series that focuses on loving and caring puppies. The story revolves around Charles and Lizzie Peterson, who impress readers with a passion to serve animals. Bringing up a dog is a challenging journey depending on a breed. This series also enhances knowledge of readers regarding different types of dogs and how to take care of them.
5. Animal Ark by Lucy Daniels From Animal Books for Kids
This Animal Book Series for Kids offers an amazing series that is about Mandy Hope, the daughter of animal doctors, who helps rescue and care for animals. Each book has fun adventures and teaches kids how to take care of animals. It also shows how important it is to be kind and responsible. Kids really enjoy the stories and learn helpful things about animals.
6. Cat Kid Comic Club by Dav Pilkey
This series comes from the Dog Man books. It’s about Li’l Petey and his friends, who create their own comics and use their imaginations. The books inspire kids to share their ideas through drawing and storytelling. It’s a great pick for kids who love art. By 2023, there are five books, and the latest one is called Cat Kid Comic Club: Influencers.
7. Add Fun and Educational Animal Book Series For Kids Like The Critter Club by Callie Barkley
This series is about four best friends who start an animal rescue shelter in their town. Each book is about friendship, helping others, and taking care of animals. The stories are fun to read and teach kids important lessons. It’s popular because kids like the characters and the positive messages in the books.
8. The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
Here’s another series about a robot girl called Roz who wakes up one day without anyone on an island. She simply has to know how she will manage to exist in the wilderness. Nature is a central theme of the plot, as well as machinery and what it means to be alive.
9. Warriors by Erin Hunter: Prominent in Children’s Book Recommendations
The Warriors series is all about wild cats and their exciting adventures. The cats deal with dangers, build friendships, and solve problems as a team. Each cat has its own special traits, and their world seems very real. These books teach the importance of loyalty, courage, and teamwork. Many people love the series, and new books are still being added with more amazing stories.
10. The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
This one is a frivolous story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse with big dreams in a little body. He goes out to have a thrilling time rescuing a princess. The book contains elements of bravery, love, and forgiveness.
Explore our list of the Best Children’s Book Series 2025 and let your kids learn while having fun!
