World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments

nFrom beloved, award-winning poet Aimee Nezhukumatathil comes a debut work of nonfiction--a collection of essays about the natural world, and the way its inhabitants can teach, support, and inspire us. n As a child, Nezhukumatathil called many places home: the grounds of a Kansas mental institution, where her Filipina mother was a doctor; the open skies and tall mountains of Arizona, where she hiked with her Indian father; and the chillier climes of western New York and Ohio. But no matter where she was transplanted--no matter how awkward the fit or forbidding the landscape--she was able to turn to our world's fierce and funny creatures for guidance. n What the peacock can do, she tells us, is remind you of a home you will run away from and run back to all your life. The axolotl teaches us to smile, even in the face of unkindness; the touch-me-not plant shows us how to shake off unwanted advances; the narwhal demonstrates how to survive in hostile environments. Even in the strange and the unlovely, Nezhukumatathil finds beauty and kinship. For it is this way with wonder: it requires that we are curious enough to look past the distractions in order to fully appreciate the world's gifts. n Warm, lyrical, and gorgeously illustrated by Fumi Nakamura, World of Wonders is a book of sustenance and joy. nA Kirkus Prize Finalist for Nonfiction n An Indie Next Pick, September 2019 n A Publishers Weekly Big Indie Book of Fall 2020 n A BuzzFeed Best Book of Fall 2020 n A Literary Hub Most Anticipated Book of 2020 n An Esquire Best Book of Fall 2020 n A Ralph Lauren Summer Reading Recommendation n A Garden & Gun Summer Reading Recommendation n A Bustle Best Book of Fall 2020 n Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2020 by The Millions n An Alma Favorite Book for Fall 2020 n A Literary Hub Recommended Climate Read for September 2020 From beloved, award-winning poet Aimee Nezhukumatathil comes a debut work of nonfiction--a collection of essays about the natural world, and the way its inhabitants can teach, support, and inspire us. n As a child, Nezhukumatathil called many places home: the grounds of a Kansas mental institution, where her Filipina mother was a doctor; the open skies and tall mountains of Arizona, where she hiked with her Indian father; and the chillier climes of western New York and Ohio. But no matter where she was transplanted--no matter how awkward the fit or forbidding the landscape--she was able to turn to