The Book of Turtles is now out in Korea.

The star of my new book-to-be: the giant manta ray. Carolina Martin of mantascostarica.org joined us in Ecuador and took this video.

Meet one of the three darling hatchling Wood Turtles who, thanks to a state permit, will be in Sy’s care for Head Starting to release in the spring! All three are busy and inquisitive about the big, new world.

Girish Shukla, at Timesnownews.com, has composed a good list of “15 underrated non-fiction books” that “offer fresh perspectives and valuable insights into history, science, culture, and personal growth. From unique narratives to thought-provoking themes, each book presents compelling ideas that deserve more recognition and a spot on your bookshelf.” You may recognize the first book on his list:

1. The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery

“This beautifully written book offers an intimate exploration into the lives of octopuses, showing how these intelligent, alien-like creatures can connect with humans on a profound level. Montgomery’s thoughtful approach blends science, personal reflection, and adventure as she explores the mysteries of marine life. Through captivating storytelling, the book invites readers to rethink animal intelligence and the connections we share with creatures beyond our own species.”

See the rest of the list here.

Sy and Matt thank the children, parents, and helpers at the Sense of Wonder Camp in Martha’s Vineyard for hosting them — and for their performance as turtles-in-training.

Sy spoke about her turtle book to an enthusiastic audience at the Monarch Festival in Bethel, Maine, where she met this young fellow.
His sign says:

Dear Fire Chief,
Thanks for sending your people to Maine!
Love,
Myles

Sy’s new book coming in November, What the Chicken Knows, is a Fall Editor’s Pick in Library Journal.

The Book of Turtles is a Sibert Honor Book.  Sy and Matt (and his sainted wife Erin) flew out to the American Library Association convention in San Diego to receive the award, and even better, to be treated to a behind the scenes tour of the “herp house” at the San Diego Zoo. Those signs about “venomous snakes” have nothing to do with the librarians – we promise.

Guess who is talking turtles, and hummingbirds on New Hampshire Public Radio’s show, Something Wild? Yup, The Turtle Wrangler and Friend to All Good Creatures: Sy. Three episodes: Baby Blanding’s Turtle Hatchlings, Baby Hummingbirds, and the final act, a visit with Fire Chief and the artist Matt Patterson. If a turtle could hold a paint brush, he’d be Matt. Here’s the first episode.

And here’s the second episode.

And the third, about the snapping turtle Fire Chief.

The German edition of Secrets of the Octopus is out.   

We did something we never do – we appeared together to talk about what it’s like to have two writers in the house. We had the great pleasure of being interviewed by our neighbor, Tricia Rose Burt, on her wonderful podcast, No Time to be Timid. I’ve been a listener since she started. Tricia is a gracious host and a good listener. You get caught up in her enthusiasm for her guests and all those Southern “y’alls.”  Listen at Apple Podcasts, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-time-to-be-timid/id1619558493 or  Spotify, or  https://triciaroseburt.com/podcast/sy-montgomery-and-howard-mansfield-creating-a-writing-life

More Honor and Glory to Turtles. On Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell, is a finalist for the New England Independent Booksellers’ Association Nonfiction Award. See the list of finalists here.

First Barnes & Noble chose the Secrets of the Octopus as the best of 2024  — so far. And now Amazon Books taps the Octos for their list. That’s two lists — six more? Anyone? Make it an even eight.

Sy had a good time talking to Annie Thoe, a Feldenkrais therapist and Nature Awareness teacher. They talked about octopus consciousness, Secrets of the Octopus and the National Geographic film which accompanies Sy’s book. Watch the interview on YouTube.

Dr. Sy. “I have good news and bad news about your future. First the bad news: Things are going to go horribly wrong. And now the good news: Things are going to go horribly wrong,” Sy told the Lesley University Class of 2024. Embrace the real world — full of dangers, beauty, and breathtaking surprises — that’s Dr. Sy’s Rx.  She’s not a medical doctor, but, hey, she has an honorary Ph.D. from Lesley U. So listen up!  Watch Sy here.

The Book of Turtles has won a Green Earth Honor Award from The Nature Generation.  And it has also won a silver medal from the Nautilus Book Awards. The awards honor “Better Books for a Better World — books that support conscious living and green values, wellness, social change, social justice, and spiritual growth.”

Secrets of the Octopus has been named one of Barnes and Noble’s “Best Books of 2024 (so far).”

Kids, octopuses, good creatures all. After a warm welcome for Sy and Matt in Stoughton, Mass., they headed to Tenacre Country Day School in Wellesley to meet awesome earth lovers before the octo finale at Stoughton Library.

What is intelligence? How can we recognize it in other lifeforms on Earth, as well as in space? Sy talks to Cosmic Connection.

Sy loved hanging out with 500 librarians at the combined conference of the Utah Library Association and Mountain Plains Library Association. Sy’s keynote address was received with a standing ovation. Thank you to Patrick Horcherl, Marissa Bischoff, and all the other librarian/superheroes who made Sy feel so welcome.

The Book of Turtles has won the gold medal from the Cook Prize. The prize honors the best STEM picture book for children aged 8 to 10 and it is chosen by them. This year more than 11,000 children across the United States, Europe, and Asia voted. And they have spoken. They love The Book of Turtles.

Sy and Matt talked turtles with Connecticut Public Radio’s podcast, Where We Live. Listen here.