Poor Richard’s suggests titles from the plant and animal worlds

Each week as part of SunLit — The Sun’s literature section — we feature staff recommendations from book stores across Colorado. This week, the staff from Poor Richard’s Books in Colorado Springs recommends fascinating reads about fantasy creatures, the wisdom of plants and the resilience of turtles.

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From the publisher: It’s the day he learned about the Archipelago—a cluster of unmapped islands where magical creatures of every kind have thrived for thousands of years, until now. And it’s the day he met Mal—a girl on the run, in desperate need of his help.

Mal and Christopher embark on a wild adventure, racing from island to island, searching for someone who can explain why the magic is fading and why magical creatures are suddenly dying. Katherine Rundell’s story crackles and roars with energy and delight. It is brought vividly to life with more than 60 illustrations, including a map and a bestiary of magical creatures.

From Jeffery Payne, assistant retail manager: Oh, the adventures this book has within its pages…

Pulling mythology and folklore from several cultural backgrounds with a nod to today’s contemporary fantasy writing, Katherine Rundell creates a wholly believable world where winged horses (longma) can’t truly be trusted, squirrel-like creatures (ratatoskr) spread news (mostly rumors) and centaurs are culinary masters (who knew?). 

In “Impossible Creatures,” the world of Archipelago is slowly fading, magical beasts are dying at an alarming rate, the ground is drying up and the oceans are out of balance. Its fate and existence rests fully on two young people who come from totally different realms. They race through Archipelago, finding knowledge and friendship in unexpected places in their journey to save the hidden world. The pair face their destiny with courage, strength and tears. This bewitching new series is meant for middle grade readers, but to be honest, the delightful and convincing characters, mixed with persuasive storytelling, are sure to please everyone.

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From the publisher: As Indigenous scientist and author of ”Braiding Sweetgrass” Robin Wall Kimmerer harvests serviceberries alongside the birds, she considers the ethic of reciprocity that lies at the heart of the gift economy. How, she asks, can we learn from Indigenous wisdom and the plant world to reimagine what we value most? Our economy is rooted in scarcity, competition, and the hoarding of resources, and we have surrendered our values to a system that actively harms what we love. Meanwhile, the serviceberry’s relationship with the natural world is an embodiment of reciprocity, interconnectedness, and gratitude. The tree distributes its wealth—its abundance of sweet, juicy berries—to meet the needs of its natural community. And this distribution ensures its own survival.

From Jeffery Payne, assistant retail manager: In the little gem of a book, shares with us an Indigenous people’s tenet of “a culture of gratitude.” But having gratitude isn’t enough, one offers that gratitude forward knowing that one has enough. Kimmerer explores the difference between a gift economy and market economy. In a market economy we just pick up something at the store and go along our merry way. In a gift economy the value of the gift is focused on the meaning or how the gift was received. 

Kimmerer easily persuades us to lean into a gift economy, treating the earth and its resources with respect and awe. She brings her passionate wisdom and awareness of the natural world to the reader. We are shown just how important it is to keep balance with the environment around us.

The timing of “The Serviceberry” is a perfect antidote to this week’s new normal. It feels like we are about to be inundated with new policies that are based in fear of not having enough. The author shows us that indeed, we do have enough. May we all listen and create a space of welcoming and kindness.

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From the publisher: When acclaimed naturalist Sy Montgomery and wildlife artist Matt Patterson arrive at Turtle Rescue League, they are greeted by hundreds of turtles recovering from injury and illness. Endangered by cars and highways, pollution and poachers, these turtles—with wounds so severe that even veterinarians would have dismissed them as fatal—are given a second chance at life. The League’s founders, Natasha and Alexxia, live by one motto: Never give up on a turtle.

But why turtles? What is it about them that inspires such devotion? Ancient and unhurried, long-lived and majestic, their lineage stretches back to the time of the dinosaurs. Some live to 200 years, or longer. Others spend months buried under cold winter water. Montgomery turns to these little understood yet endlessly surprising creatures to probe the eternal question: How can we make peace with our time?

From Jeffery Payne, assistant retail manager: As a very young kid on a farm in Missouri, I was gifted a cookie-sized green turtle…it was my first pet. I remember doting on it with scraps from the garden, making sure it had water, and it was warm enough at night with a light bulb over it. One day I took it outside in its clear plastic container so it could soak up some natural sun. I reached into the container, gently lifted it out and started to pet it….and it bit my finger…hard, wouldn’t let go. It felt like I touched a skillet that’s too hot. I wildly waved my hand back and forth…and suddenly the turtle was gone. I had inadvertently flung my tiny friend into the hilly pastureland we had just outside the house. I immediately dropped on my hands and knees and began searching for the tiny creature, searching for it for days. When I told my mother what happened, she said, “Huh, that didn’t go well, did it?”. 

In true Sy Montgomery style, “Of Time and Turtles” is a wonderfully engaging study. Her dedication to all aspects of our natural world is infectious. This time Montgomery’s focus is on the often misunderstood and slow moving creature. Turtles show an extraordinary adaptability to endure, there are many varieties that will outlive you and I due to their thoughtful (oh yes, they do think) and patient trudging about. The author takes us along as she volunteers and cares for wayward, neglected and endangered species. We discover just how resilient, yet delicate, turtles can be. Despite illegal pet trade, speeding cars on roadways, polluted waterways and habitat destruction, turtles are slowly (of course) making their way. There is a growing community that works toward securing the survival of our hard-shelled friends to make sure these sages of the world thrive. Montgomery’s insightful caring and spot on observations show us how vital the survival of tough little nuggets is.

I’d like to think that the tiny little turtle I accidentally hurled into the field that day found its way to the small pond, a stone’s throw away from the house. In my head it sits there on the muddy bank, soaking up the natural sun, contemplating  just how well things turned out for it.

Type of Story: Review

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