I had never really thought about this prompt, but once I started looking, I realized how many books do have animals on them – and also that animals on covers tend to make me feel attracted to a book. Once I started looking, I was blown away by the variety of different animals that are featured, but also which books they’re on. It’s not just nature books, or even books that include that animal. They’re used as metaphors, or warnings, as companions or hopeful omens. They’re diverse and variable and I love how much they can communicate just by being there. Here are some of my favourites.
Wilding by Isabella Tree
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Funny Farm by Laurie Zaleski
Alfie & Me by Carl Safina
A Book of Bees by Sue Hubbell
The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright
Meredith, Alone by Claire Alexander
The Wonderful World of James Herriot by James Herriot
The Shepherd’s Life by James Rebanks
I haven’t read all of these – some are on my TBR and others just have great covers. But of the ones I have read, the animals on the covers do tell you something about the book, and that’s lovely.
What about you guys? Do you have any favourite books about animals? Any favourite books that may not actually be about animals, but that have an animal on the cover?
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly link-up feature created by The Broke and the Bookish and hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Every week TTT has a different topic, and everyone who links up has to create a link of ten items that fit that topic. To see past and upcoming topics, go here.
