How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals

A New York Times bestseller

National Book Award finalist Sy Montgomery reflects on the personalities and quirks of 13 animals--her friends--who have profoundly affected her in this stunning, poetic, and life-affirming memoir featuring illustrations by Rebecca Green.

Understanding someone who belongs to another species can be transformative. No one knows this better than author, naturalist, and adventurer Sy Montgomery. To research her books, Sy has traveled the world and encountered some of the planet's rarest and most beautiful animals. From tarantulas to tigers, Sy's life continually intersects with and is informed by the creatures she meets.

This restorative memoir reflects on the personalities and quirks of thirteen animals--Sy's friends--and the truths revealed by their grace. It also explores vast themes: the otherness and sameness of people and animals; the various ways we learn to love and become empathetic; how we find our passion; how we create our families; coping with loss and despair; gratitude; forgiveness; and most of all, how to be a good creature in the world.

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Published: 09/25/2018
ISBN: 9780544938328
Pages: 208
Weight: 0.75lbs
Size: 8.10h x 6.40w x 0.90d

Review Citations: Library Journal Prepub Alert 04/15/2018 pg. 47
Publishers Weekly 06/11/2018
Kirkus Reviews 06/15/2018
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 09/01/2018
School Library Journal 09/01/2018 pg. 138
Foreword 08/26/2018
Booklist 09/15/2018 pg. 48
Shelf Awareness 10/02/2018