Naturalist and New Hampshire resident Sy Montgomery will talk about her new book, The Soul of An Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness, at the Bachelder Library in East Andover on Wednesday, May 20 at 7 PM.

In researching this book, which chronicles the growing scientific appreciation of the intelligence of the octopus, Montgomery dove with giant Pacific octopuses from the New England Aquarium tanks to the reefs of the Gulf of Mexico. The Soul of An Octopus describes the emotional and physical world of the octopus – a surprisingly complex, intelligent, and spirited animal – and the remarkable connections this creature can make with humans.

Montgomery is a gifted and humorous speaker as well as a naturalist, documentary scriptwriter, and author of 20 acclaimed books of nonfiction for adults and children, including the best-selling The Good Good Pig and Birdology. Copies of The Soul of an Octopus and others of her books, including her new children‘s book, The Octopus Scientists: Exploring the Mind of a Mollusk will be available for sale and for signing by the author.