Books › The Tarantula in My Purse
The Tarantula in My Purse
and 172 Other Wild Pets
144 pages
A warm, delightfully chaotic romp through a household where the line between the wild outdoors and the living room has been entirely erased.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like stepping into a sunlit, delightfully chaotic living room where a crow is stealing your keys and a raccoon is washing its paws in the kitchen sink. It is a brisk, episodic joyride through an unconventional family life, anchored by a wry and deeply affectionate narrative voice. The mood is lively and warm, capturing the specific, messy magic of raising children alongside a menagerie of wild creatures. While the stories are frequently hilarious, there is a tender undercurrent about the necessity of letting go, as both children and animals eventually hear the call of the wild. It will thoroughly delight animal-obsessed readers and anyone who appreciates the beautiful unpredictability of the natural world.
- Mood
- lively
- cozy
- chaotic
- nostalgic
- Tone
- wry
- affectionate
- humorous
- matter-of-fact
- warm
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- human-animal connection · unconventional parenting · wonder of the natural world · embracing chaos · letting go
- The writing
- Clear, conversational, and episodic, blending a naturalist's precise observation with a mother's wry comedic timing.
- The arc
- Moves from the hilarious chaos of welcoming wild creatures indoors to a tender, bittersweet appreciation for the fleeting nature of both childhood and animal companionship.
- Who it's for
- Animal-obsessed young readers and nostalgic adults who dream of turning their living rooms into wildlife sanctuaries.
Content notes
- animal death
- pet loss
About the book
A collection of autobiographical stories about raising a houseful of children and wild pets including crows, skunks, and raccoons.
Description from Open Library.
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