by Monica Hope-Jones Babich (Author), C. S. Fritz (Illustrator)

2022 Nautilus Book Award winner, "Better Books for a Better World" (SILVER)

2022 Moonbeam Children's Book Award winner (GOLD)

A boy took a jar from the top, wide shelf.

He leapt down to earth, feeling proud himself ...

Then outside he strolled with his jar in tow

To find himself pets in the ground below.

Will can't contain his excitement collecting creatures he finds outside in jars. One day, something unexpected happens that makes him realize there may be a better way to appreciate life's smaller creatures. Combining rhyme and wonder with captivating illustrations, "the jar menagerie" teaches the age-old story that you don't have to capture or own something to love it.