World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments is a collection of essays published in 2020 by American poet Aimee Nezhukumatathil. Each essay is named for a specific plant or animal and contains a mixture of personal memories, scientific facts, and poetic descriptions of nature. Most of the essays were originally published individually through various published works. Each chapter of World of Wonders contains both scientific and poetic descriptions of a particular species of plant or animal. Nezhukumatathil explains particularly unique features or behaviors of various species, such as the axolotl’s ability to regenerate limbs or the corpse flower’s nauseating odor. Throughout the book, she draws connections between the wildlife and her own life, often comparing an animal’s traits or habits to her own and reflecting on her and her family’s encounters with particular species.