Becoming a Good Creature

By Sy Montgomery and Rebecca Green

A New York Times Bestseller

School is not the only place to find a teacher. In this beautiful picture book, learn the many surprising lessons animals have to teach us about friendship, compassion, and how to be a better creature in the world.

Beloved, bestselling author Sy Montgomery, often described as part Emily Dickinson, part Indiana Jones, has had many teachers in her life: some with two legs, others with four, or even eight! Some have had fur, feathers, or hooves. But they’ve all had one thing in common: a lesson to share.

The animals Sy has met on her many world travels have taught her how to seek understanding in the most surprising ways, from being patient to finding forgiveness and respecting others. Gorillas, dogs, octopuses, tigers, and more all have shown Sy that there are no limits to the empathy and joy we can find in each other if only we take the time to connect.

Based on the New York Times bestselling adult memoir, Sy Montgomery and Rebecca Green's beautiful, friendly guide is for readers young and old who wish to be better creatures in the world. Go ahead, pass it on.       

Perfect for:

• Birthdays, graduations, and animal lovers, or for your favorite teacher.

Read more books by Sy Montgomery:

• The Book of Turtles
• The Magnificent Migration
• Condor Comeback
• The Hyena Scientist
• The Octopus Scientists
• The Great White Shark Scientist         

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Sep 29, 2020
• ISBN: 9780358252078

Sy Montgomery

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.

Book preview

Reviews for Becoming a Good Creature

[bookwren · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A well-done retelling of the adult version, How to Become a Good Creature. I especially love the opening sentence: "School is not the only place to find a teacher." Many children do not relate well to a school environment, do not like to sit still or learn by rote. They learn better by doing by hand or being in the outdoors, so I'm delighted to see this emphasized, as well as teachers other than human. In fact, all the capitalized chapter headings create a litany to be used by all humans: Discover Your Passions (don't let others tell you that you can't do something), Respect Others (all life forms and the earth herself), Don't Be Afraid (if you expect goodness, you'll often receive it), Wait Patiently (you'll discover so much more!), Make Your Own Family (with friends, neighbors, two, four and no-leggeds!), See For Yourself (don't believe everything your hear or are told), Love Little Lives (insects and "belly flowers!), Learn Forgiveness (don't blame wild creatures for being themselves, especially predators), Find Common Ground (what do we have in common?), and Trust Tomorrow (after a storm, the sun always shines). Includes photos of the author with various teachers.