Families who loved Mirabelle and the Bouncy Red Ball by Michael Muller often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when you want to channel a toddler's high energy into a focused, joyful activity or when introducing the responsibilities and rewards of pet ownership. It is an ideal choice for the 'zoomie' hour before naptime, using rhythmic engagement to help a child regulate their own excitement through Mirabelle's play. The book follows a real-life Berner-Lab mix named Mirabelle as she chases, finds, and eventually captures a bright red ball. Through vibrant, high-quality photography, it captures the kinetic energy of a puppy in motion. Its simple narrative and interactive 'lift-the-flap' style elements help toddlers build vocabulary around movement and position while celebrating the pure, uncomplicated joy of a game of fetch. It is a perfect 'first book' for animal lovers that emphasizes the bond between a pet and their human world.
