Book Review: Sloth Slept On
Age Range: 3+
Author: Frann Preston Gannon
Sterling Children’s Books
New York
2015
ISBN: 978-1454916116
List Price: $9.48 (amazon.com)
Three kids happen upon a sloth sleeping in their tree while playing. They don’t know what he is at first, so they do some research and their imagination comes alive. The adult they check with is of minimal help, and unfortunately the kids miss some pretty clear signs that would have helped them solve their mystery. Undaunted, they eventually successfully identify him as a sloth and try their best to help him out (with questionable, but humorous, results).
This book is a fun read and cute story. Wouldn’t it be amazing to find a sloth in your tree? This is an informative read for kids as it includes some interesting facts about sloths. Added bonus of course is that the sleepy sloth is so cute. Plus, sloths are simply charming; there is something about a mammal that doesn’t even have enough muscle mass to shiver to warm itself that is hard not to love.
The kids are overall resourceful in their efforts to uncover what this creature they have found is, though I do wish they would have had some more assistance from the grown-up who was too busy reading the paper to help much. My kids and I do get a good laugh out of the fact that the kids miss the “missing: sloth” signs posted on many of the pages.
Though not explicitly bedtime story, I loved that this book lends itself to an excellent transition to sleep for kids (“The End. Ok, time to make like a sloth and go to sleep.”). Perfect for nap and bedtime!