Becoming a Good Creature

A New York Times Bestseller

School is not the only place to find a teacher. In this beautiful picture booklearn 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         

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Published Sep 29, 2020

40 pages

Average rating: 7

2 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

raeallic
Oct 09, 2025
8/10 stars
Loved this adorable book about the creature teachers that touched Montgomery's life.
happeninheidi
Jul 05, 2023
6/10 stars
I read this one immediately after falling down the rabbit hole of Montgomery’s work. I read “How to be a good creature” by Sy and absolutely loved it. I have her book “the good good pig” on my tbr, but as soon as I stumbled across this picture book, I knew I had to read it. I didn’t hate it, but after adoring the memoir, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

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