Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
This week’s theme is:
November 17: Characters I’d Name a Pet After
I wanted to do a variation on this week’s theme and share 10 of my favourite fictional animals or creatures.
Nellie from Heartstopper
Nellie is such a cutie, I love all the scenes she’s in. The way Alice Oseman draws her always makes her look so soft and friendly.
Dol from Vicious/Vengeful
Dol is another canine companion, and one with a few special qualities, shall we say and I love his personality. At times he seems sleepy and chilled, but he and Sydney have a gentle, close relationship and he would protect her in a heartbeat.
Nayimathun from Priory
Nayimathun is potentially one of my favourite animal characters in fiction because she’s just amazing??? She’s an ancient dragon, who can fly and has otherworldly power and she brings out the best in Tané.
Almost Brilliant, a magical hoopoe from Empress of Salt and Fortune
Almost Brilliant is a talking magical hoopoe and has some of the best lines of any animal I’ve come across in fiction. They’re funny and witty, chastising Chi when they get into danger, but also pragmatic and they can record events in perfect detail.
Book the cat from Addie LaRue
Book is such a wonderfully grumpy cat who lives in the Last Word bookstore where Henry works. As well as having a great name, at one point in the novel he gets described as looking like a loaf of bread and that set me off laughing.
Nana in the Travelling Cat Chronicles
We read this book from Nana the cat’s perspective and his personality leaps off the page. He’s dry and sarcastic and judges pretty much everyone, but his narrative is funny and poignant in equal measures.
The Firebird from Wicked as You Wish
When I first started this book, I imagined the firebird to be this giant powerful being, but when it arrives, it’s small and petite and the sassiest creature known to humans.
The Lion from Circe
The lion is such a calm, brooding animal, whose name is never revealed, but I enjoyed the calm companionship it brought Circe.
Aslan from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Speaking of lions, Aslan is perhaps one of the most well-known in fiction. He’s a solid, stalwart presence for Lucy and we feel a sense of hope every time he shows up.
Bieber from Simon Vs
Simon’s dog Bieber isn’t one of the main characters but he gives Simon comfort when he needs it and there are some really funny scenes involving him. The name Bieber for a dog also cracks me up.
What are some of your favourite fictional animals? Do you have any animals or pets in real life?
Important links
Black Lives Matter card
Reclaim the Block
Minnesota Freedom Fund
Lebanon card
Donation drives for typhoon Ulysses in PH
Junk Terror bill
Yemen crisis card
Navajo Nation Covid-19 Relief Fund
coffeeinonehandbookintheother.wordpress.com 
I love Dol and Book! Schwab always has great animals in her books 🙂
Great list! I love Almost Brilliant, too. 😀
Circe was also on my list. Such a great name!
Can’t believe I didn’t think of Nana. I love that book so much!
I am very intrigued by The Lion, especially considering his name is never revealed. Nellie also looks like such a cute little dog. She just looks so cuddly.
Great post! I love animals that stand out in books.
Nellie makes me want to sob every time I see her on a page, that’s how much I freaking love her