How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals by Sy Montgomery
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Such a beautiful, uplifting little book. My husband found it in a local 'little library' and after reading it, proceeded to press it upon me. I was reading something "serious" at the time and let him rave on about it, barely hearing what he had to say.

And then there was that afternoon when I ran out of reading material and really, really craved something for my eyes to lap up as I fell asleep that night.

Why do I forget how much pleasure and de-stressing happens for me when I read books about cutie animals and embrace my inner animal lover?

This book is also a 'serious' memoir of the quintessential vegan-lifestyle gal who has been shamed for her love of animals-- of actually seeing herself as an animal as a little girl-- by her militaristic father and status-seeker mother from childhood on. Her father wanted her to join the Military. She didn't, and actually started early in successful adulthood to escalate their disdain when she quit her big deal career to volunteer with some animal research in Australia. And her husband was not up to their standards either, and was never welcome in their home.

So, it would seem that she was a decided free spirit who did all her projects with animal researchers and writing and rescues of animals that no one else wanted, with the support of her lovely husband and friends. I won't say how things worked out with her parents but she is certainly the sort of kind and loving person I would aspire to be.

This book was sweetly illustrated by Rebecca Green and looks like a children's book, but is definitely for adults in touch with their inner playful children. I am happy to have a husband like that.