The 2025 Children’s Lit Animal Rankings

Last year, I was wondering which animals show up the most in children’s books. So I did an informal study to see if I could find out. According to my loose data, bears reigned supreme in 2024.

Will they stay on top in 2025? Let’s find out.

As I said, this is a (very) informal study. I searched Edelweiss for different animals named in children’s books titles and summaries published in 2025. The totals listed include both fiction and nonfiction books containing that particular animal.

It ain’t perfect, but it does give a sense of the general popularity of each animal.

ANIMAL: # OF BOOKS CONTAINING THAT ANIMAL PUBLISHED IN 2025

Alpaca: 5

Rhinoceros: 10

Axolotl: 18

Llama: 23

Goose: 24

Hedgehog: 27

Turkey: 28

Gorilla: 28

Cheetah: 33

Raccoon: 34

Sloth: 35

Alligator: 37

Crow: 40

Moose: 43

Octopus: 43

Giraffe: 46

Crab: 47

Crocodile: 49

Eagle: 50

Lizard: 51

Panda: 53

Fish: 57

Chicken: 59

Horse: 69

Penguin: 69

Cow: 70

Dog: 73

Snake: 73

Bird (Unspecified or various): 81

Duck: 82

Owl: 93

Squirrel: 98

Cat: 103

Tiger: 105

Monkey: 108

Pig: 109

Turtle: 109

Fox: 111

Lion 131

Shark: 134

Rabbit: 140

Bear: 148

Elephant: 157

Mouse: 171

Whale: 181

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Top Rising Animal: Whale (73 more than last year)

Top Falling Animal: Owl (16 less than last year)

Top Debut: Squirrel: 98 (I didn’t have them on last year’s list)

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