Sloth to the Rescue

by Leanne Shirtliffe, Rob McClurkan (Illustrator)

Sloth and friends teach kids how to combat first-day-of-school shyness in this humorous and heartfelt picture book. At the Rainforest Rescue Center, Sloth loves when Patti comes to visit. But when Patti forgets her class report, it's up to Sloth, with the help of his other (faster) rain-forest friends, to return Patti's notebook to her-at school! Will they be able to find her among all the other kids in a new environment? The first day of school can be scary-especially if you forget your summer assignment-but in Sloth to the Rescue,Sloth, Peccary, Boa, Capuchin, and Ocelot overcome their fears and realize that what makes them unique is what helps them fit right in!

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, School, Childrens, Animals

35 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2019

Reviews

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something about sloths. They seem so cute being so slow. They have aspects of "yuck," moss grows on them for example, that somehow makes itself cute. Certainly, whenever they are drawn in stories, they are as "cute as the dickens." I really enjoyed how many different things this book covered in one engaging story. First, through Patti's visits, we learn the value of sitting peacefully and enjoying one's surroundings instead of always rushing around. We also learn the value of tapping into that calm when things get stressful, Sloth's belly breaths. Not only do we learn the power of teamwork but it includes the knowledge that one of the best ways to "team" is to rely on people's natural strengths. Each animal shows us its natural strength, so we learn more about rainforest animals, and then uses their ability appropriately to help the team. Aside from all these great things, one thing I would love to do with this book is to show how punctuation makes a difference when you read it correctly. Many times kids don't really think about punctuation when they read, or especially when they write, and this is a great book to show so many types and how it is integral to reading the story appropriately. Wonderful book!

[Maria Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

When his human friend Patti's "vacation project" notebook is left sitting on the bench, Sloth he worries that if he leaves today to try and return it to her - she'll "be in eighth grade by the time he arrives." Luckily, Sloth's friends agree to help. Using the unique characteristics of his friends, the animals set out to find Patti. Ultimately, sloth's slow nature, and a bit of yoga, makes the difference in their quest to find Patti. A fun refrain, "Nope, he thinks. No. Patti. here," will have the younger kids chorusing along with the reader. Rob's bright, expressive illustrations add to the caper.
The feel-good ending celebrates individuality, especially the qualities of shy, quieter introverts and dawdlers. A brief back matter provides information on the animals, suggestions for dealing with nerves, and a bit about rescue centers. Aimed at younger kids, this is a fun book to start discussions on developing different coping mechanisms, individuality, contributing to a team, animal rescue centers, and even rain forest animals.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟.5/5
A sloth living at the rainforest rescue centre needs to return a book report that got left behind back to his favorite visitor a young girl named Patti. Sloth must look to his other much faster animal friends for help to achieve this mission.
•
This book was cute with a good message about facing fear and playing off others strengths to come together as a group effort. Great lessons for kids. The illustrations are amusing and colorful. Also the animal characters were not your typical choices featured in kids books so my son really enjoyed learning about new animals. All together an entertaining and heartfelt read.
•
For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong

[Melissa Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is adorable. It is about a sloth who needs to get a little girl's notebook back to her. Along the way his animal friends and he each learn their strengths, what makes them different and how those differences really help them fit in. Some passages are hilarious and my niece absolutely loves it.

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Sloth's friend Patti forgets her book for the first day of school he panics that he will not be able to get it to her in time. But as he reminds himself to calm down he figures out he can utilize the help of his faster friends.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable story about a sloth who wants to help his favorite human girl, Patti, get her book back in time for her school assignment. It's funny and the illustrations are so cute.
It's good for preschoolers and elementary school students.
Kids I read to enjoyed this book.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute! I love how it incorporates animal facts and calm-down/relaxation techniques.

[Alice Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

Techniques for handling anxiety in the moment are embedded in this tale in a helpful way, without feeling too obvious.

[Katherine Decker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sloths. Are. Awesome.

[Tompkins County Public Library Youth Services]

Techniques for handling anxiety in the moment are embedded in this tale in a helpful way, without feeling too obvious.

[Lara Bate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teaches children about the different characteristics/abilities of animals. The sloth and other animals go to school and end up returning the book to the child.

[Chasity R · Rating 4 out of 5]

My nephew loves sloths so this will be right up his alley. I love how the animals are introduced into the story and explained in the end. Solid read.

[Jessica Gadd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute childrens book with a great message! My kids really enjoyed it and im sure we'll read it many times :)

[Cathy Ogren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sloth's friend, Patti, spent the summer writing a report due on the first day of school. His favorite thing about Patti is she is never in a rush. When Sloth sees that Patti has forgotten her report on a bench at the Rainforest Rescue Center, Sloth needs to hurry to get it back to her, but Sloth is not someone who hurries. He realizes he needs a little help from his friends. He enlists Peccary, Boa, Capuchin, and Ocelot. With Patti's report in hand, they leave the comfort of the Rescue Center and take take a field trip to Patti's school in search of her. Leanne Shirtliffe has written a delightful story about friendship and overcoming the fear of stepping outside one's comfort zone. Her use of clever comments and wordplay will put a smile on readers' faces as will Rob McClurkan's charming illustrations of rainforest animals.