How To Be A Good Creature by Sy Montgomery

A New York Times bestseller and National Book Award finalist, this luminous memoir from beloved naturalist Sy Montgomery invites you into her world—one shaped by thirteen extraordinary animal friendships that changed everything.

From the delicate wisdom of a tarantula to the fierce grace of a tiger, Montgomery has spent her life crossing boundaries most of us never approach. Here, she reflects on the creatures who became her teachers, her companions, her chosen family. Each animal—whether wild or domestic, enormous or impossibly small—reveals profound truths about empathy, passion, loss, and what it means to truly see another being.

This isn’t just a book about animals. It’s about the transformative power of connection across species. It’s about finding your people (even when they have feathers, scales, or eight legs). It’s about building a life of wonder, one creature at a time.

Montgomery’s poetic prose, paired with Rebecca Green’s tender illustrations and intimate black-and-white photographs, creates something rare: a memoir that feels like a conversation with a dear friend on a quiet afternoon by the sea. You’ll close these pages feeling more alive, more curious, and more committed to being a good creature yourself.

Perfect for:

• Anyone who’s ever loved an animal
• Readers of The Soul of an Octopus and Of Time and Turtles
• Thoughtful gift-giving during any season
• Those seeking a restorative, life-affirming read

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