Kids love animals, and it's not uncommon for creatures to dominate the shelves of picture books in bookstores. Here we look at three published in 2025 for kids to enjoy: BatKiwi and the Big Wet, by Melinda Syzmanik and Isobel Joy Te Aho-White; The Tractor Has a Wobbly Wheel, by Tim Saunders and Carla Martell; and You Can't Pat a Fish, by Ruth Paul.

I read these three books with three sibling readers aged 6, 4 and 2 with definite opinions. It's a dog eat dog world out there when books are offered: they weren't averse to shoving their brother or sister out the way and demanding I read their favourite again, and again, and again. And they each had a favourite! But all three books have fearless illustrations, catchy stories and beguiling characters.

BatKiwi and the Big Wet

BatKiwi and his friends are afloat in a clamshell paddling pool as floodwaters career through their home. Will they make it through? How will they steer the clamshell? The four-year-old was compelled by the sense of adventure in this, and the happy ending where the clamshell is brought to safety with everyone on board gave him great satisfaction. BatKiwi sticking his bottom out of the boat to turn the shell appealed to the kids' sense of humour, getting thumbs-up and plenty of giggles. The stylised but realistic images swirl through the text, matching perfectly with the story's tone.

The Tractor has a Wobbly Wheel

Farm animals and tractors are wildly popular amongst younger readers and this was no different. The text in this has a similar rhythm to Craig Smith's The Wonky Donkey, building a long string of attributes onto the wobbly tractor wheel. It was my least favourite of the three to read aloud, but that's not what matters: the kids loved this book, enjoying the bright colours, the challenge the animals have in fixing the tractor, and the overall appeal of animals and farm machinery. This one will build a legion of fans over time.

You Can't Pat a Fish

Ruth Paul's bright orange, detailed and playful book was a finalist at the Children's and Young Adults Book Awards this year, and it's easy to see why. Many children will identify with an unfulfilled desire for a pet, and the main character's bafflement at being faced with a fish is completely human. All three of the kids were intrigued by the fish that couldn't be patted, and loved the flawless rhymes that had the story swinging along. Despite having probably the least words of the three books in this review, You Can't Pat a Fish was able to engage both the impatient two-year-old and the more independent six-year-old at the same time. The lively, Julia Donaldson-esque flow made it enjoyable to read.

Check out the reading list of these books below.