Smile, Breathe, and Go Slowly: Slumby the Sloth Goes to School

Gr 1-4–Slumby, like most sloths, is slow, and when it comes time to go to school, Slumby is late. He is slower than the rest of his quick-moving classmates, even the turtle. Slumby is left behind at recess, and he doesn’t fit in. However, when his armadillo classmate tumbles into a river and is swept away, Slumby surprises everyone by leaping into the river and rescuing him. After this heroic ordeal, Slumby’s classmates celebrate him, and they even slow down and spend time with him on occasion. Illustrations are a mix of crayon and acrylic paints on watercolor paper. The vibrant colors of the anthropomorphic characters and their outfits pop against the gentle watercolor backgrounds. Slumby the sloth is adorable and expressive. He wears stylish blue overalls that contrast well with his brown fur and help him stand out among his furry and scaly pals. Slumby’s big reveal—that he is basically Michael Phelps in the water—will surprise most children. The book starts with sloth family yoga, which matches the peaceful title, but for those seeking a book on mindfulness, this is not it.