Best Children’s Books About Snakes (2026): 5 Compared

A kid who spots a garter snake in the yard wants to know everything, and the best children’s books about snakes turn that curiosity into reading time. We compared five books by listed reading age, grade level, page count and what each description says. Every detail below comes from the listings, not from our own reading.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Snakes for Kids by Starkey	9.7/10	Buy
2	Snake: The Essential Guide	9.7/10	Buy
3	Verdi by Cannon	9.7/10	Buy
4	Miles and Miles of Reptiles	9.6/10	Buy
5	The Big Book of Bugs	9.4/10	Buy

1

Snakes for Kids by Starkey

Michael G. Starkey·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 78-page junior scientist's guide to 45 snake species, for kids ages 6 to 9.

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Pros

• 45 species with colorful photos
• A customer-listed reading age of 6 to 9 years and grade level 1 to 2
• Covers habitats, life cycles and ecosystems

Cons

• Published June 16, 2020; check for a newer edition
• 78 pages is shorter than the DK guide
• Grade level 1 to 2 is narrower than the reading age

2

Snake: The Essential Guide

Chris Mattison·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 192-page visual guide to more than 3,000 snake species, with 60 focused profiles.

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Pros

• 192 pages covering more than 3,000 species
• 60 focused snake profiles with full-page photos
• DK publisher with a 2016 reprint edition

Cons

• Marketing claims in the description are the publisher's, not facts
• Published March 15, 2016, an older edition
• Reference style; less story for young readers

3

Verdi by Cannon

Janell Cannon·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 56-page picture book about a young python who learns to love being green.

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Pros

• Picture book story about growing up, from the creator of Stellaluna
• A customer-listed reading age of 3 to 6 years and grade level Preschool to 3
• Gorgeously illustrated per the listing

Cons

• Published April 1, 1997, the oldest edition here
• 56 pages; one story, not a snake guide
• First edition; check for a newer printing

4

Miles and Miles of Reptiles

Tish Rabe·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 48-page Cat in the Hat rhyming book about reptiles, from snakes to chameleons.

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Pros

• Cat in the Hat rhyming style with Seussian illustrations
• A customer-listed reading age of 2 to 6 years and grade level Kindergarten to 4
• Index, glossary and further learning suggestions

Cons

• Covers all reptiles, not snakes alone
• Published May 26, 2009
• 48 pages is the shortest book here

5

The Big Book of Bugs

Yuval Zommer·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An 80-page 10th anniversary edition about bugs, not snakes; it fits this list least.

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Pros

• 80 pages with eight new illustrated pages in the anniversary edition
• A customer-listed reading age of 2 to 5 years and grade level Preschool to 3
• Published June 30, 2026, the newest book here

Cons

• About bugs, not snakes; it fits this list least
• Introductory spreads suit the youngest readers only
• Anniversary edition adds pages but not snakes

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More picks to compare

• The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the WashSuits young readers wanting a funny boa story, ages 3 to 7.Check on Amazon
• All Things Snakes For KidsSuits kids wanting photos and facts, ages 6 to 12.Check on Amazon
• Slither, Snake!Suits pre-readers wanting a Nat Geo snake book, ages 2 to 5.Check on Amazon
• Snakes by Gail GibbonsSuits kids wanting a classic snake primer, ages 4 to 8.Check on Amazon
• A Kids Guide to 50 SnakesSuits kids wanting 50 snakes with a glossary, ages 6 to 9.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 17 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for a young snake fan, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level. All five listings give a reading age, all marked by Amazon as from customers, and four give a grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best children’s books about snakes

Story or facts first

Verdi is a picture book story; Snakes for Kids, Snake and Miles and Miles of Reptiles are fact books. The Big Book of Bugs is facts about bugs, not snakes. Browse picture books for more stories.

Match the age band

Reading ages run from 2 to 5 years (Big Book of Bugs) to 7+ years (Snake). Snakes for Kids lists 6 to 9 years with grade level 1 to 2. Match the band to your reader.

Check the depth

Snake covers more than 3,000 species in 192 pages; Snakes for Kids covers 45 species in 78 pages. Verdi is one story in 56 pages. Our books about turtles for kids list covers more reptiles.

Before you buy

• Check the subject: one of these is about bugs, not snakes.
• Compare the listed reading age with your child’s age.
• Decide between a storybook and a reference guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which snake book suits a 7 year old?

Snakes for Kids, with a customer-listed reading age of 6 to 9 years.

Which book is a story, not facts?

Verdi, a 56-page picture book about a young python.

Is The Big Book of Bugs about snakes?

No. It is about bugs; it fits this list least.

Still deciding? Our top pickSnakes for Kids by Starkey

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Related lists

See every picture books list and all kids and teens lists.

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