Who doesn’t love a kids’ book about cute little (or big) critters? Animals and the humans who love them are classic themes for early readers, as so many little bookworms are themselves fans of the animal kingdom and its subjects.

Animal friends can be a great way to introduce core concepts like counting and phonics, build emotional foundations like empathy and self-confidence, or simply bring a smile to readers’ faces with a silly or joyful tale.

Here are some of our favorite new and upcoming creature features; what are some of yours?

Better Pets by Leigh Bardugo, illus. by Liz Climo

Lots and Lots of Ocelots: A Skip Counting Book by Vicky Fang, illus. by Angel Chang

Everything You Need to Know About Life You Can Learn from a Dog by Bruce Littlefield, illus. by Maribel Lechuga

Love and Mercy by Kate DiCamillo, illus. by Chris Van Dusen

Capybara Disco Dreams by Frances Stickley & Nikki Dyson

Riding Magic by Kelly Starling Lyons, illus. by E. B. Lewis

Pip & Pals: Otter Space! by Jen de Oliveira

Bathtime for Snow Monkeys by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, illus. by Yas Imamura

Thank you to Candlewick Press, Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Young Readers, Knopf BFYR, Random House Children’s Books, Workman Kids, Hachette Children’s Books, Roaring Press Books, MacKids Books, and Sourcebooks Jabberwocky for copies of these books!