We’ve assembled 20 of the best vegan children’s books for you and your little ones to read together. Each book is linked to Amazon for purchase and there are kindle and audio versions available for many. If you know of any books that should have made the list let us know!.
1. The True Adventures Of Esther The Wonder Pig
Synopsis:
The true story of social media sensation Esther the Wonder Pig and her two dads that inspired the New York Times bestselling memoir for adults is now available in a picture book with adorable illustrations and a message of love.
When Steve and Derek adopted a mini pig named Esther, they had no idea that she would turn out to be not-so-mini after all. When her new family saw just how big and wonderful Esther really was, they fell in love–and their lives changed forever. Esther would soon grow too large for her bed, and their small apartment. She got into everything, including her neighbor’s tasty garden. So the whole family moved from a small apartment to a big farm, where Esther and her animal friends could fit happily (and get into a little less mischief). Eventually, that farm would become the Happily Esther After animal sanctuary, home to rescued animals of all kinds.
Synopsis:
We can all be heroes. That’s the inspiring message of this New York Times bestselling picture book biography series from historian and author Brad Meltzer. Learn all about Jane Goodall, the chimpanzee scientist.
Each picture book in this series is a biography of a significant historical figure, told in a simple, conversational, vivacious way, and always focusing on a character trait that makes the person a role model for kids. The heroes are depicted as children throughout, telling their life stories in the first-person present tense, which keeps the books playful and accessible to young children. And each book ends with a line of encouragement, a direct quote, photos, a timeline, and a source list. This tenth book in the series features Jane Goodall, the scientist, and conservationist who is famous for her work with chimpanzees.
Synopsis:
Don’t miss one of America’s top 100 most-loved novels, selected by PBS’s The Great American Read.
This beloved book by E. B. White, author of Stuart Little and The Trumpet of the Swan, is a classic of children’s literature that is “just about perfect.” This paper-over-board edition includes a foreword by two-time Newbery winning author Kate DiCamillo.
Some Pig. Humble. Radiant. These are the words in Charlotte’s Web, high up in Zuckerman’s barn. Charlotte’s spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur’s life when he was born the runt of his litter.
E. B. White’s Newbery Honor Book is a tender novel of friendship, love, life, and death that will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come. It contains illustrations by Garth Williams, the acclaimed illustrator of E. B. White’s Stuart Little and Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series, among many other books.
From An Amazon Review:
A beautiful, well written, poignant story about a boy who wants to fly and does not understand why he can’t. So, understanding birds the way he does, he wants to fly like a hawk. He decides to sneak off to Santos Mountain and steal a young Red Tail Hawk from of its nest. The boy, Rudy Soto, desires to be the hawk’s brother so they can learn to fly together. But he finally realizes at the end of summer after all the other young hawks have learned to fly that the bird is unhappy living in a cage with a string tied around its leg. He realizes the bird will not give up and longs for freedom. The hawk wants to fly. That’s all he’s ever wanted, just like Rudy.
I won’t give away the ending. You’ll just have to read it with your children and share with them what this remarkable story has to offer.
Byrd Baylor’s books are not just for children. Grownups enjoy them too. They are simple stories about desert life that offer great insight about living and what is truly important way beyond material possessions. This book is about sky and wind and freedom and the beauty that is unique to the desert.
I loved it!
Synopsis:
This fascinating picture book biography tells the childhood story of Buffalo Bird Woman, a Hidatsa Indian born around 1839. Through her true story, readers will learn what it was like to be part of this Native American community that lived along the Missouri River in the Dakotas, a society that depended more on agriculture for food and survival than on hunting. Children will relate to Buffalo Bird Girl’s routine of chores and playing with friends, and they will also be captivated by her lifestyle and the dangers that came with it.
Using as a resource the works of Gilbert L. Wilson, who met Buffalo Bird Woman and transcribed her life’s story in the early 20th century, award-winning author-illustrator S. D. Nelson has captured the spirit of Buffalo Bird Girl and her lost way of life. The book includes a historical timeline.
Synopsis:
Chickpea the cow lives in an overcrowded barn on a large farm. She watches as her friends and family are taken away to an uncertain fate. One day, the farmer leads Chickpea and all the rest of the cows outdoors to a scary-looking truck, and Chickpea knows she shouldn’t go. Making a split-second decision, she leaps the fence and escapes into the woods. For the first time ever, Chickpea discovers the world outside the farm and, thanks to some delicious vegan pie, makes new friends who welcome her with loving hearts. Chickpea’s story is inspired by many real-life cases of runaway cows.
Synopsis:
Squeak’s family used to live in a big nest lined with leaves and dry grass. The little squirrel remembered a mother who loved and cared for them. But one morning there were loud noises outside the nest. “VRR VRRR! VRR VRRR!” Their branch started shaking, then the whole nest fell to the ground . . . two men were trimming the tree! “Hey, look,” one said. “Baby squirrels!” Squeak felt something big and wet lick him. Yuck, what was that? A dog’s tongue? The dog picked Squeak up in his wet mouth and ran happily around the yard. “EEP EEP!” Squeak cried. “EEEP! EEEEP!” Oh, NO! What will happen to Squeak and his brother and sister now? Find out in Squeak the Squirrel, based on the true story of a rescue squirrel named Squeak. The book, beautifully illustrated in full color by author Rhonda Van, will delight any child or classroom, and fits perfectly into lesson areas for humane education or compassion discussions. Excellent for ages 7 and up, Squeak the Squirrel is a great choice for family bedtime, classroom, or solo reading adventures.
8. Libby Finds Vegan Sanctuary
Synopsis:
The first board book for little vegan readers! Libby Finds Vegan Sanctuary is the story of how a turkey inspires compassion and ultimately, finds safety. Through colorful pages and a simple story fit for little hands, the board book helps young children understand the meaning of sanctuary and lightly explores the idea of choosing to prevent harm of other living beings. The story is based on a real life rescued turkey, Libby, who lives in a farm animal sanctuary in Florida.
9. That’s Not My Momma’s Milk!
Synopsis:
That’s Not My Momma’s Milk is a vegan children’s board book for the youngest of readers. Through simple, repetitive language, and beautiful illustrations, children are introduced to various animals nursing their young. This book teaches compassion for all living beings and shows the unmistakable bond that all mommas have with their young. A wonderful book that helps families teach children that a momma’s milk is meant for her baby.
10. That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals
Synopsis:
That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals uses colorful artwork and lively text to introduce vegetarianism and veganism to early readers (ages six to ten). Written and illustrated by Ruby Roth, the book features an endearing animal cast of pigs, turkeys, cows, quail, turtles, and dolphins. These creatures are shown in both their natural state—rooting around, bonding, nuzzling, cuddling, grooming one another, and charming each other with their family instincts and rituals—and in the terrible conditions of the factory farm. The book also describes the negative effects eating meat has on the environment. A separate section entitled “What Else Can We Do?” suggests ways children can learn more about the vegetarian and vegan lifestyles, such as:“Celebrate Thanksgiving with a vegan feast” or “Buy clothes, shoes, belts, and bags that are not made from leather or other animal skins or fur.” This compassionate, informative book offers both an entertaining read and a resource to inspire parents and children to talk about a timely, increasingly important subject.
That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals official website: http://wedonteatanimals.com/
11. V Is for Vegan: The ABCs of Being Kind
Synopsis:
Introducing three- to seven-year-olds to the “ABCs” of a compassionate lifestyle, V Is for Vegan is a must-have for vegan and vegetarian parents, teachers, and activists! Acclaimed author and artist Ruby Roth brings her characteristic insight and good humor to a controversial and challenging subject, presenting the basics of animal rights and the vegan diet in an easy-to-understand, teachable format. Through memorable rhymes and charming illustrations, Roth introduces readers to the major vegan food groups (grains, beans, seeds, nuts, vegetables, and fruits) as well as broader concepts such as animal protection and the environment. Sure to bring about laughter and learning, V Is for Vegan will boost the confidence of vegan kids about to enter school and help adults explain their ethical worldview in a way that young children will understand.
Synopsis:
Things aren’t looking good for Sprig, who is packed into a fast-moving truck with dozens of other pigs. He doesn’t know where they’re going but his nose knows there’s something better out there.
So with one dramatic leap, or really more of a tumble, Sprig sets out on a pig-centered adventure that leads him to his new best friend, a girl named Rory. Inspired by true events, this light-hearted tale introduces kids to an intelligent and inquisitive pig who finds his way to an animal sanctuary.
The book includes a bonus section called “More About Pigs,” where curious readers will learn that pigs are smart enough to play video games, enjoy sleeping in cozy pig piles, run really fast, and other amazing facts.
Sy Montgomery, author of The Good Good Pig, said of the book: “May Sprig help people to see what wonderful individuals pigs truly are.”
Sprig the Rescue Pig is the first children’s book in our series on farm animals, perfect for ages 4 to 7.
Synopsis:
Gwen has spent her whole life in a big egg-laying hen house, so she knows very little about what chickens can do (besides lay eggs, of course). A fateful tornado turns her world upside-down and sideways, landing her in a strange new place that’s nothing like the hen house.
Using her wits and chicken superpowers, Gwen dodges danger at every turn until she finds safety and friendship with a boy named Mateo. Together they discover how extraordinary an ordinary chicken really is.
The book includes a bonus section called “More About Chickens,” where curious readers can learn that chickens have extraordinary eyesight, a complex language of 24 sounds, and are descended from dinosaurs, among other fun facts.
Gwen the Rescue Hen is the second children’s book in Stone Pier Press’s Farm Animal Rescue Series, perfect for ages 4 to 7. The first book, Sprig the Rescue Pig, was released in the Spring of 2018.
14. Vegan Is Love: Having Heart and Taking Action
Synopsis:
In Vegan Is Love, author-illustrator Ruby Roth introduces young readers to veganism as a lifestyle of compassion and action. Broadening the scope of her popular first book That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals, Roth illustrates how our daily choices ripple out locally and globally, conveying what we can do to protect animals, the environment, and people across the world. Roth explores the many opportunities we have to make ethical decisions: refusing products tested on or made from animals; avoiding sea parks, circuses, animal races, and zoos; choosing to buy organic food; and more. Roth’s message is direct but sensitive, bringing into sharp focus what it means to “put our love into action.” Featuring empowering back-of-the-book resources on action children can take themselves, this is the next step for adults and kids alike to create a more sustainable and compassionate world.
Synopsis:
Food or friend? Through fun animal facts and charming illustrations, “Not A Nugget” shows children a different way to view animals and their food. With a special foreword by Gene Baur, founder of Farm Sanctuary, this book is an educational resource for parents and teachers to introduce children to plant-based living.
16. The Vegan Alphabet Book: Let’s Learn the Alphabet – Vegan Style!
Synopsis:
Let’s Learn the alphabet – Vegan Style!In Book One, The Vegan Alphabet book, join Tofu & Tempeh and many other vegan characters as we learn the alphabet… vegan style!This isn’t just a fruit and veggies book, many of these obscure food items are kitchen favourites, known quite well to the vegans amongst us. This book comes with a bonus audiobook, read-along download, with chimes to turn the page, and music as well! Read by the author E.E. Bertram, (also known as Esther.) Esther loves animals and was vegetarian for 10 years and has now been vegan for 20 years. Visit the downloads page to receive your complimentary audiobook.
The Little Vegan Books Series Overview: What better way to introduce your little one to the wonderful world of delicious vegan food, than with the “The Little Vegan Books” series. These are alphabet books, vegetable recognition books, and books about kindness and respect towards all creatures.
17. We All Love: A Book for Compassionate Little Vegans and Vegetarians
Synopsis:
“We all Love” is a book for tender-hearted kids who want to live a compassionate lifestyle. It explores the earliest stages of empathy where we learn to recognize the things we have in common. By finding our similarities, we can begin having conversations about empathy and how we can live compassionately through a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. As featured in the May 2018 issue of “Raise Vegan” Magazine!
18. I’m a Supervegan: A Confidence-Building Children’s Book for Our Littlest Vegans
Synopsis:
Dash! Zoom! Kick! Jump! Elizabeth wants to be a superhero when she grows up. But does she have what it takes?
Through vibrant illustrations and playful rhymes, I’m a Supervegan uses the wonder of childhood imagination to show Elizabeth’s journey through self-doubt.
In the end, Elizabeth realizes that by eating plants and making compassionate choices, she is brave, caring, and smart. She’s been a supervegan all along!
Have you been looking for a gentle, positive, and fun way to explain to your child how special it is to be vegan? Do you want to boost your little vegan’s confidence in situations where friends or family may question their eating habits? Show your child they are a superhero every day by saving animals. They are a supervegan!
19. No Green Eggs Or Ham: A Vegan Parody
Synopsis:
“Would you like Green eggs or ham?” Not this Vegan Brontosaurus! In this funny Dr. Seuss Parody Pam-I-Am tries to convince Valen, a vegan dinosaur, to eat green eggs or ham. Read about how Valen stays true to his beliefs while informing Pam-I-Am the reason behind his dietary choices. This book is a great way to introduce compassionate living to children of all ages through fun illustrations and rhyme.
20. Lena of Vegitopia and the Mystery of the Missing Animals
Synopsis:
Lena of Vegitopia and the Mystery of the Missing Animals is a vegan-themed fairy tale about how one brave little girl stands up for the animal friends of her land and helps rescue them from being eaten. The book promotes messages of kindness, compassion, and action and shows that magical things can happen when you harness the power of veggies.
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