Elizabeth Preston's new book 'The Creatures' Guide to Caring' showcases how animals teach humans we were born to care

Elizabeth Preston's new book 'The Creatures' Guide to Caring' showcases how animals teach humans we were born to care

From The Roundtable by Joe Donahue, Sarah LaDuke

June 12, 2026 · 18 min

About this episode

Elizabeth Preston discusses her book 'The Creatures' Guide to Caring', exploring how animals teach humans about care and connection.

Science writer Elizabeth Preston has spent years exploring the strange brilliance of the world in the places like ‘The Atlantic’ and ‘The New York Times.’ In her new book ‘The Creatures' Guide to Caring’ she turns to animal parenting from devoted octopuses to fiercely protective birds and mammals. Revealing how care, survival, and connection shape life across species. The book blends reporting, evolutionary science, and wonder-filled storytelling into a look what creatures can teach us about raising the next generation.

People in this episode

Hosts: Joe Donahue, Sarah LaDuke

Guest: Elizabeth Preston

Topics covered

  • animal parenting
  • evolutionary science
  • care and survival
  • inter-species connection
  • storytelling

Keywords

  • animal behavior
  • parenting
  • evolution
  • species connection
  • science writing

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Atlantic, The New York Times

Books & works: The Creatures' Guide to Caring

More episodes of The Roundtable

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Roundtable podcast page.