Happy slightly late Easter, everyone! Currently, my house is full of bunnies. Plastic Easter bunnies on the mantle, fluffy stuffed animal bunnies, and (best of all) chocolate candy bunnies.

All these animals made me think about how I hardly read books with furry narrators anymore. After all, as a kid, many of my picture books and chapter books had animal characters, but by time I was in middle school, those had all but disappeared. (Take a look at my ~highly~ scientific graph below.)

I rather miss having dogs and pigs narrate our novels. It was exciting to get to see the world from (very) different eyes. So, in honor of Easter, I decided the best animal books of all time…including books for adults! (They’re rare but excellent.)

1. Animal Farm

“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than the others.” Here’s a book where the animals act all too human. George Orwell’s allegory classic isn’t all paw prints and cuddles, but it’s definitely wort reading.

2. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Not only did I cry when I read this book, I cried while I tried to find an image of the book cover. I hope you all know that. I am crying right now while I try to find a way to describe this book, because all the memories of the scenes are rushing back to me. It’s so fantastic. It has a rabbit (for Easter!) and a beautiful, heart-breaking journey as one rabbit learns to love the people that love him.

3. Watership Down

More rabbits, for Easter! Follow this group of rabbits as they leave their doomed home and try to find a new one. The journey may be short length-wise (just a few square miles) but it’s big in heart.

4. Charlotte’s Web

What a book! The tale of a spider named Charlotte and a pig who wanted to live is a classic for a reason. Both heartbreaking and hopeful, if you haven’t read this book yet, read it now, and if you already have, do yourself a favor and reread it.

5. The Tale of Despearax

Wow, what’s this, ANOTHER Kate DiCamillo book? It must be because she’s one of the best writers ever. This tale, about a mouse in love with a princess, a rat who craves light, and a servant girl who wants to be royalty, is the tale of wanting to be more. (Also, it is NOT as creepy as the Bee Movie, have no fear.)

6. Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus!

A prime example of how books teach you empathy. I live pretty close to the Big Apple, and no one believes that I like the pigeons. (I know someone who calls them city rats.) But this book made me staunchly pro-pigeon from an early age.

What are your favorite books with animal main characters? How was your Easter? Let me know in the comments! Until next time, you can find me on Pinterest or Instagram.