One for the Birds: Fiction Narrated by Animals - Books, Movies, & More

Watership Down
by Richard Adams

Chronicles the adventures of a group of rabbits searching for a safe place to establish a new warren where they can live in peace.

Timbuktu
by Paul Auster

Mr. Bones, the canine sidekick of Willy G. Christmas, a brilliant but troubled Brooklyn poet, accompanies his master on a trip to Baltimore, Maryland, to search for Willy's high-school teacher and beloved mentor, Bea Swanson, in a novel narrated from the dog's point of view.

A Dog's Purpose
by W. Bruce Cameron

Searching for his purpose over the course of multiple canine lives, Bailey is reborn as a golden-haired puppy after a tragic death as a stray and shares a loving bond with young Ethan before he again dies and starts over.

The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore
by Benjamin Hale

Bruno Littlemore, the world's first chimpanzee with the ability to speak, tells the story of primatologist Lydia Littlemore's efforts to educate him; his untimely outbursts, which ultimately cost Lydia her job; and the unforgettable road trip that follows.

The Call of the Wild and White Fang
by Jack London

The Call Of The Wild is the story of Buck, a dog stolen from his home and thrust into the merciless life of the Arctic north to endure hardship, bitter cold, and the savage lawlessness of man and beast. White Fang is the adventure of an animal -- part dog, part wolf -- turned vicious by cruel abuse, then transformed by the patience and affection of one man.

The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog, and of His Friend Marilyn Monroe
by Andrew O'Hagan

Given as a Christmas present to Marilyn Monroe, Maf the dog provides keen insight into the world of the Hollywood starlet during the last two years of her life.

Animal Farm
by George Orwell

Featuring a new preface, this classic satire on totalitarianism in which farm animals overthrow their human owner and set up their own government is once again brought to life for a new generation of readers.

Dog on It : a Chet and Bernie Mystery
by Spencer Quinn

Canine detective Chet accompanies his human police officer partner, Bernie, on a first assignment involving the disappearance of a teenage girl who ran with a bad crowd, a case complicated by Bernie's dysfunctional personal life.

Firmin
by Sam Savage

Chronicles the life of Firmin the rat who lives among the humans in Boston's Scollay Square during the 1960s; his ability to read; his rescue by a solitary sci-fi writer, Jerry Magoon; and his decline as the wrecking ball takes down the neighborhood to make room for urban renewal.

The Art of Racing in the Rain
by Garth Stein

Evaluating his life on the eve of his death, atypical canine Enzo considers the sacrifices his master, Denny Swift, has made in his pursuit of becoming a professional race car driver; the painful custody battle between Denny and his in-laws, and the dog's own efforts to preserve the Swift family

Three Bags Full : a Sheep Detective Story
by Leonie Swann

In a cozy Irish village, when their beloved shepherd, George, is found struck down by a spade, his flock of clever sheep, led by Miss Maple, the smartest sheep in Glennkill, launches its own investigation to find George's killer among the local village inhabitants--including the butcher, a village newcomer with a secret, a sinister priest, and another shady shepherd.

Pride of Baghdad
by Brian K. Vaughan

Inspired by true events, a graphic novel examines life on the streets of war-torn Iraq, raising questions about the meaning of liberation through the experiences of four lions who escaped from the Baghdad Zoo during a raid

The One and Only Ivan
by Katherine Applegate

When Ivan, a gorilla who has lived for years in a down-and-out circus-themed mall, meets Ruby, a baby elephant that has been added to the mall, he decides that he must find her a better life.