Page 11 - Palm City Spotlight - November '20

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Palm City Spotlight, Page 11

book Review

Becoming A Good Creature photographs to appeal What that publisher did not know was that I loved
to a wider audience, the original adult bestseller so much I had purchased a
By Nils A. Shapiro including teen readers. dozen copies and sent them to my brother, two daughters,
But when Becoming five grown grandchildren, new great-granddaughter to
This book made me a Good Creature appreciate when she is old enough, and other family
break my own rule ... unexpectedly showed members and friends!
and I’m glad I did. up in a package on my As it turns out, this new, colorfully illustrated children’s
doorstep a week ago, book adaptation is charming, with a simple text that will clearly
This is the 179th Book sent from its author get across to even the youngest child a selection of the same
Review column I have Sy Montgomery’s important lessons of kindness and compassion that will help
written over the past almost publisher, I examined it the boys and girls we love get a good start in leading happy and
15 years, and all except one immediately from cover to cover and knew at once that this successful lives – which is why I am sharing news of it with you
(which was devoted to a is a book I wanted to bring to your attention, despite the fact in time for this holiday season’s gift giving.
discussion of the Winnie-the- that it would be a first for my review column. Here, for example, is how Sy Montgomery opens her book:
Pooh classics) has been of a book written for adults. Even The publisher remembered that two years ago, in October “SCHOOL IS NOT THE ONLY PLACE TO FIND A
my recent column about two books by Sy Montgomery – the of 2018, I had favorably reviewed the author’s newest adult TEACHER. Sometimes we meet teachers in the forest, or in the
award-winning, best-selling author of more than 30 books book, How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in 13 Animals barn, or in the ocean—or right in our own house. Some of my
about her adventures with animals around the world – took … and thought I would like to know about this new picture- teachers have had two legs while others have had four or even
into account that they were written for adults, though her book adaptation designed for beginning readers, and for eight. But all have taught me something important about how
publisher presented them in large formats with many color parents to read to their preschoolers. to be a good creature in the world.”

Then, with lovely color illustrations by Rebecca Green,
the author describes – in simple terms that even the youngest
pet MatterS child can understand – how animals have taught her such
lessons as: respect others; don’t be afraid; wait patiently;
love little lives; learn forgiveness; trust tomorrow; and
Pooch Plunge Provides Fun poochplunge. others.
For a woman whom The Boston Globe has called “a
For Dogs While Raising Proof of a rabies combination of Indiana Jones and Emily Dickinson” –
because of her experiences that include being chased by
vaccination
Funds For Shelter Animals also is required; a silverback gorilla in Africa; hunted by man-eating tigers
a county in India; climbed into a pit with 18,000 snakes; swam with
It’s one of license will piranhas and electric eels in the Amazon; and so much
the best days suffice. Other more – Sy Montgomery’s exquisite and gentle warmth in
for dogs that rules: dogs explaining how animals as varied as an octopus, a gorilla,
love the water! must be leashed a tarantula, a cassowary, a giant hog that she raised from a
That’s because outside of the tiny pig, a weasel, her border collie and others have taught
they get to run, swimming area; no retractable leashes; and owners must her important life lessons is a joy to experience in these
jump, swim and clean up after their dogs. In addition, please leave dogs pages.
splash about in under three months, dogs in heat, and aggressive and I sent this book to one of my daughters, Hillary, who is
the water at the overly timid dogs at home. an elementary school teacher in New Jersey. She read it to a
Seventh Annual “This is an event we can count on every year to bring kindergarten class that was a very small group because of the
Santa Paws smiles to everyone’s faces as they watch the dogs having a pandemic, so was able to show each the book’s illustrations
Holiday Pooch great time,” said HSTC Director of Community Outreach as she was reading to them. She told me that the children
Plunge from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5, at Courtney Zanetti. were completely captivated by the story and pictures, which
Sailfish Splash Waterpark, 931 S.E. Ruhnke St., Stuart. Wagnolia’s is one of the event sponsors and the very much pleased my daughter because, as she added, “It’s
Plus they get to help raise money for their fellow furry Humane Society is seeking additional community support. wonderful to be able to instill such important lessons in them
friends. All proceeds benefit the shelter animals at the For more information, call Courtney Zanetti at (772) 600- at such a young age.”
Humane Society of the Treasure Coast. 3211 or email her at czanetti@hstc1.org. If you are anything like me, you will take time to relish
Dogs of all sizes and breeds are invited to participate About The Humane Society Of The Treasure Coast this book before you share a word of it this coming holiday
in an open swim at the waterpark before the facility closes The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast (HSTC) with the young children you love most.
for the winter. However, due to proper social distancing is a no-kill animal welfare organization located at 4100
guidelines, attendance will be limited, and participation S.W. Leighton Farm Ave. in Palm City, Fla. Since 1955, Answer for
will be restricted to three 45-minute timed swim sessions it has been the leading advocate for animal protection
beginning at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. Guests also are and well-being in the Martin County area. A 501(c)(3) Crossword Puzzle
invited to bring a toy or treat for the House of Hope’s private, nonprofit organization, the HSTC is independent
four-legged friends. In addition to the swim, there will and locally operated and relies on donations to support its
be selfies with Santa, holiday music, a 50/50 raffle, “to programs and services. Follow the HSTC on Facebook at
go” orders from food trucks, and more. https://www.facebook.com/humanesocietyTC and Twitter
Admission for this splash fest is $10 per dog. Online at https://www.twitter.com/hstc1. For more information,
pre-registration is required by going to www.hstc1.org/ visit https://www.hstc1.org or call (772) 223-8822.