Nature writer Sy Montgomery, a 2015 National Book Award finalist for Soul of an Octopus, recounts the life lessons she gained from 13 encounters with animals, from Australian bush creatures to the family dog.
Montgomery confides that from a young age, animals have always taught her the most, beginning with her scrappy childhood dog, a Scottish terrier named Molly, whose toughness and jaw strength four-year-old Montgomery coveted. Despite her parents' hopes that she would follow the family's military tradition, an encounter with three emus in Australia hooked her on studying animals, and she never looked back. A pinktoe tarantula named Clarabelle taught her to look for wonder in unlikely places. Christopher Hogwood, a runty piglet that became a benign behemoth--and inspired her book The Good, Good Pig--showed her how to treasure each moment. Later, a pair of tree kangaroos in New Guinea would remind her of the beauty of life when the deaths of both Christopher Hogwood and border collie Tess left her heartbroken.
Whimsically illustrated by Rebecca Green (How to Make Friends with a Ghost), this memoir in animals recalls the childhood joy of discovering a new favorite chapter book. Montgomery's fans already know her musings on animals reach a level of wonder and reflection most often seen in spiritual contemplation, and indeed, her awe feels akin to religion. Her infectious depth of feeling for the creatures that have enriched her life charm anew in this light read that will touch anyone who knows that animals make us human. (Final illustrations not seen.) --Jaclyn Fulwood, youth services manager, main branch, Dayton Metro Library