One of the easiest ways to make storytime more memorable is by adding a stuffed version of a favorite book character.
Children immediately connect with familiar characters, and simply placing a plush beside the book often creates excitement before you’ve even begun reading. They also make wonderful display pieces, reading buddies, prizes for reading programs, or special visitors during library lessons.
The best part? Once you build your collection, you’ll use these characters year after year.
Here are some of my favorite book character stuffed animals that deserve a place in every school library.
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Pete the Cat
If there’s one stuffed animal that earns its keep, it’s Pete the Cat.
Whether you’re reading Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, Rocking in My School Shoes, or any of the many other Pete adventures, students light up when Pete makes an appearance.
Use Pete to:
- Introduce beginning-of-school library lessons
- Sit beside Pete the Cat displays
- Visit classrooms during reading celebrations
- Reward young readers during special events
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Few picture books are as recognizable as The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
A caterpillar plush is perfect for:
- Spring displays
- Life cycle units
- Preschool storytime
- Counting activities
- Eric Carle author studies
Many libraries also pair the caterpillar with butterfly decorations during the spring.
The Pigeon
Mo Willems’ opinionated Pigeon is always a crowd favorite.
Bring out the plush before reading Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and you’ll immediately have students laughing and predicting what comes next.
The Pigeon also makes a great conversation starter for persuasive writing lessons.
Llama Llama
Anna Dewdney’s lovable llama has become a comfort character for many young readers.
A Llama Llama plush works especially well during:
- Kindergarten orientation
- Feelings units
- Back-to-school storytime
- Family reading nights
Many younger students enjoy giving Llama a hug after the story.
Corduroy
Corduroy has been introducing children to classic literature for generations.
Because Corduroy is already a teddy bear, the stuffed version feels especially authentic.
Use him for:
- Friendship themes
- Lost-and-found displays
- Classic picture book weeks
- Teddy Bear Day celebrations
Curious George
Curious George is always getting into adventures—and students love following along.
A Curious George plush fits perfectly with:
- Monkey-themed displays
- STEM lessons about curiosity
- Beginning reader collections
- Read Across America events
Clifford the Big Red Dog
A giant red dog naturally attracts attention.
Clifford works wonderfully beside:
- Dog-themed book displays
- Summer reading promotions
- Beginning reader collections
- Family literacy nights
If you can find a larger version, it becomes an instant photo opportunity.
Winnie-the-Pooh
Classic characters never go out of style.
Winnie-the-Pooh brings a cozy, nostalgic feeling to your library while introducing students to timeless stories.
Pair Pooh with:
- Friendship displays
- Classic literature collections
- Honey-themed bulletin boards
- Quiet reading corners
Paddington Bear
Paddington has enjoyed renewed popularity in recent years while remaining a beloved classic.
He’s perfect for:
- Travel displays
- Kindness themes
- International book celebrations
- British author studies
Don’t forget the marmalade!
Frog and Toad
While you may not find a plush set in every store, Frog and Toad make wonderful companions for beginning chapter book readers.
Use them during:
- Friendship lessons
- Seasonal storytimes
- Beginning reader promotions
- Arnold Lobel author studies
Elephant & Piggie
Mo Willems’ beloved duo practically guarantees smiles.
Children love seeing Gerald and Piggie sitting beside the books, and the characters naturally invite dramatic reading and student participation.
If You Have Room for More…
As your collection grows, consider adding:
- Max from Where the Wild Things Are
- Madeline
- Biscuit
- Olivia
- Little Blue Truck
- Mouse from If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
- The Lorax
- And more
Tips for Building Your Collection
You don’t have to buy everything at once.
Instead:
- Start with the characters you read most often.
- Watch for sales throughout the year.
- Check educational suppliers as well as toy retailers.
- Add one or two new characters each semester.
- Store each plush in a clean, labeled bin when not in use.
Before long, you’ll have a collection that makes storytime more engaging without requiring extra preparation.
Sometimes it’s the smallest touches that make the biggest impression.
A familiar stuffed character sitting beside a favorite book tells students that reading is fun, welcoming, and worth getting excited about. Over time, those simple moments help build positive memories of the library—and that’s something every school librarian hopes to create.
What’s your favorite book character stuffed animal? I’d love to hear which one gets the biggest reaction from your students!
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