How To Be A Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals

Sy Montgomery

Sep 2018 · Sold by HarperCollins

About this ebook

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.

• Perfect gift for the holiday season.
• Engaging back matter showcases personal black-and-white photos of Sy and the animals she so lovingly depicts.
• Don't miss Sy Montgomery's other books including Of Time and Turtles, The Soul of an Octopus, and The Hawk's Way.

Ratings and reviews

My first exposure to respected, award-winning naturalist Sy Montgomery was an absolute delight! Here's a book guaranteed to make you feel good about the world. This is a memoir about 13 animals who have made a difference in the life of the author. From her childhood mentor/pet -- to an octopus at the Boston Aquarium -- to a 750-pound pig -- Montgomery values and loves each creature who passes her way. And her writing helped me see animals (including insects) in a new way. By fully appreciating each one's distinct qualities, she made me want to do the same. The most touching chapters for me, as a dog lover, were those about Montgomery's three Australian shepherds -- each unique, and all with gifts to share. Montgomery's relationship with each may have been different but her devotion was always total. I will now go on to read some of her other books.

About the author

In addition to researching films, articles, and thirty-six books, National Book Award finalist Sy Montgomery has been honored with a Sibert Medal, two Science Book and Film Prizes from the National Association for the Advancement of Science, three honorary degrees, and many other awards. She lives in Hancock, New Hampshire, with her husband, Howard Mansfield, and their border collie, Thurber.

Rebecca Green is an illustrator of many children's and middle grade books, including The Unicorn in the Barn, Iqbal and His Ingenious Idea, Madame Saqui, and From Far Away. She is also the author and illustrator of How to Make Friends with a Ghost. This is her second collaboration with Sy Montgomery, their first being How to Be a Good Creature. She resides with her husband and their lovely animals, Mori and Junie B.