A whole herd of elephant books for kids awaits you here. We’ve got informational books about African and Asian elephants. We’ve got colorful imaginary elephants. We’ve got something to fit your every elephant whim. Let’s get reading some animal books!
Fiction Books About Elephants for Children
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Get ready to learn your colors and rhyme along the way in I Dream of an Elephant by Ami Rubinger. A fun and playful read for toddlers and preschoolers.
A Parade of Elephants by Kevin Henkes is full of colorful elephants on parade. As they move around they go up, down, over, and under.
Little ones will love the touch-and-feel book That’s Not My Elephant. (board book)
One of the first fictional books I think of when I think of elephants is that colorful patchwork elephant, Elmer.
Elmer by David McKee is the story of a patchwork elephant who is well-loved in his community. But, he feels different and feels like he doesn’t belong with the herd. So, he sets off to become a “normal” elephant. When he returns as a regular elephant color none of the other elephants recognize him. Once he makes it known who he is, all the elephants get a chuckle. As the rain pours down revealing his real colors once again, everyone decides that each year they will have a look like Elmer day.
I even have some Elmer book activities for you to enjoy too.—>Elmer Book Activities
“Stand Back,” Said the Elephant, “I’m Going to Sneeze!” by Patricia Thomas is a silly and fun-read aloud about a group of animals trying to keep the elephant from sneezing. Because when an elephant sneezes, you know it’s going to be big.
Mash up “Stand Back,” Said the Elephant, “I’m Going to Sneeze!” and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and you get When Your Elephant Has the Sniffles by Susanna Leonard Hill. Learn all about taking care of an elephant with the sniffles. But, watch out because if your elephant has the sniffles, chances are you’ll get them too. (board book)
Poe Won’t Go by Kelly DiPucchio is the story of an elephant who has plopped himself in the middle of the busy intersection of a town. What will the townspeople do? They try all sorts of things to get him to move, but it’s a smart little girl who finds the simple solution.
Zola’s Elephant by Randall deSeve is an imaginative story. Sometimes are imaginations aid our shyness. Zola moves into a new neighborhood, but her neighbor is feeling shy about welcoming her. In fact, her neighbor is pretty sure that Zola already has a friend- an elephant. Look for rocking horse on each page.
Tabitha and Fritz Trade Places by Katie Frawley is the story of a cat and an elephant who trade homes on lair-bnb.com. Will Tabitha enjoy the wild? Will Fritz enjoy the comforts of a house? Told in emails back and forth to each other. Turns out each animal enjoys their own homes the best but also enjoy making friends with each other.
Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev is about a young boy who can’t bring his pet elephant into a club so he decides to start his own club where all are welcome.
My Friend Maggie by Hannah E. Harrison is the story of two friends. One day, Paula’s loyalty to Maggie is tested when another girl begins to tease Maggie. Paula learns a big lesson about true friendship.
The Goose Egg by Liz Wong is the story on an elephant who bumps her head and gets a goose egg. Literally, she gets a goose egg. Henrietta tries to take care of the new goose as best as she can. Eventually, the goose learns to fly and starts off on a life of her own. But, she returns to visit Henrietta with some new friends.
Every caretaker can relate to the feeling of five minutes of peace. Well, that is just what Mrs. Large is craving. Just a little peace and quiet from her energetic children in Five Minutes’ Peace by Jill Murphy. This is my favorite in the series by Murphy.
An elephant book list wouldn’t be complete without including the beloved elephant, Gerald, from the Elephant & Piggie books by Mo Willems. This prolific beginning reader series is wonderful for reading aloud or for new readers. And, it is a wonderful series for building fluency. A few of our favorites include There Is a Bird on Your Head, The Big Guy Took My Ball, and We Are In a Book.
Informational Books About Elephants
Elephants! Strange and Wonderful by Laurence Pringle is for those who want to dig even deeper into the world of elephants. Did you know that in 2010 it was determined that there are two types of African elephants? There is a lot of text in this book so this will be one for true elephant enthusiasts or older children. The illustrations are excellent for deepening understanding of the text.
The Elephant’s New Shoe by Laurel Neme is based on a true rescue story of a baby elephant with a badly injured foot. The foot is unable to be saved, but some very caring individuals work to build the elephant a special prosthetic boot.
Every once in a while you hear of a story about an animal and a special bond it has with another animal or human and your heart just grows. Get ready for your heart to grow while reading The Elephants Come Home by Kim Tomsic. Transport yourself to Thula Thula in the African landscape. Meet a couple caring for animals and meet a special herd of elephants arriving soon. Trust is established, friendships are formed, and life-long commitment blooms. Years go by. Even when the caretaker passes away, the elephants sense it and journey all the way back to be there at Thula Thula to show their dedication and support.
If You Were an Elephant by Leslie Staub helps you to imagine being an elephant. Imagine where you would walk, what you would do and what you would see.
She Leads: The Elephant Matriarch by June Smalls gives us a glimpse into leading an elephant herd.
The Secret Elephant by Ellan Rankin is inspired by a true story. A zookeeper takes home a lone elephant during the war. But, it’s hard to hide to an elephant at a house and soon the elephant is ordered back to the zoo. But, the zookeeper doesn’t abandon her animal friend.
Printable Elephant Book List
Grab a printable book list of the books above.
Enjoy these books about elephants with the students.