Sloth Went

by Adam Lehrhaupt

This hilarious board book is about a sloth on the go . A sloth who is . . . very slowly . . . making his way to a major potty training!

Today is Sloth's big day.
He's excited.
But he's also nervous.

What if something happens?
What if NOTHING happens?

Sloth Went is a book about poop. But it's also an adventure story about facing your fears, gaining independence, and learning to do what you have to. Even if, as in Sloth's case, it takes a little while to get there.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Humor, Storytime, Science, Juvenile

32 pages, Board Book

Published June 1, 2021

About the author

Adam Lehrhaupt is the award-winning author of Warning: Do Not Open This Book!, Please: Open This Book!, Chicken in Space (A six book series: Book 2 Chicken in School lands June 20, 2017), I Will Not Eat You and the upcoming I Don't Draw, I Color (March 21, 2016), Wordplay (July 2017), Idea Jar (Fall 2017), and This is a Good Story (Spring, 2018). He has traveled to six continents, performed on Broadway, and lived on a communal farm. He firmly believes that opening a book is a good thing, even if there are monkeys in it. Adam currently lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA, with his wife, two sons, and two bizarre dogs. Follow Adam on twitter and Instagram @lehrhaupt for the occasional brilliant thought or picture, and at adamlehrhaupt.com.

Reviews

[Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I literally only read it because it's about sloths and it was v cute.

[Karla Valenti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is adorable! To say it's a potty training book is not quite accurate, in my opinion. Going potty is Sloth's objective, but that's not what this book is about. Rather, it's a story about having a goal and being afraid to pursue it. It's about doubting yourself and getting encouragement from your friends. It's a story about the very human response of apprehension when we set out to do something on our own for he first time. The fact that what Sloth sets out to do is potty, is not nearly as relevant, as the personal story of trial and success. To top it off, the illustrations are delightful and engaging. This is a brilliantly crafted tale for young readers who will easily grasp and relate to what it feels like to try something new.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a winning combination for kids—a baby sloth, which is possibly the cutest creature on the planet, and poop! It may or may not inspiring your potty-training child to “go potty” but that’s not really the point of author Lehrhaupt’s story. It’s lovely how much encouragement the little sloth gets on what is actually a rather dangerous journey for these animals. But what makes this book shine are the completely adorable illustrations of sloth and his friends and family by Benson Shum. Plus there is even some interesting backmatter for kids who want to learn more facts about sloths and their bathroom habits.

[Diana Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet and kid-friendly! What an entertaining tie-in to potty training. I love the details in the photos showing how slow the sloth is (like snails and turtles going past him). Kids will really identify with sloth's anxiety and ultimate celebration.

[Wulf Roby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful art 🎨

[Lindsay Bonilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun story for little ones starting to use the potty. It also introduces the interesting fact that sloths climb down from their trees to use the bathroom. This definitely makes sloth learning to use the potty seem like a bigger hurdle to overcome — something many young readers can surely relate to. I like the way that the parents and animals little sloth meets on his journey down the tree are all reassuring, not putting pressure on him but giving him encouraging words and reminding him to trust his body. Illustrator Benson Shum’s characters, especially little sloth, are absolutely adorable.

[Stef Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not expect this potty training book in disguise! This adorable story gives us Sloth, who must climb down from his tree to "do his business." He's scared. He's hesitant. He gets encouragement from his friends.

And reader, he does it.

This book is not only great for kids of potty training age, but also a great story in helping kids face fears - to know it's okay to fail, to find help along the way, and to seek out those willing to help you!

Plus, Sloth is absolutely adorable and his poop faces are just too cute.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no clue that sloths climb down from the trees once a week to use the bathroom on the forest floor, which is more dangerous for them because predators can more easily catch them on the forest floor. This fictionalized story follows a little sloth who is going to make a trip all the way down to the forest floor for the first time in his life.
It is a cute story. Backmatter at the end of the book shares extra facts about this process.

[Katelyn Aronson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read to accompany kids who are potty training, adorably illustrated by Disney artist Benson Shum! Instead of a typical « issues » book, here is narrative fiction—a real story—that introduces a little sloth nervous about venturing forth and « going » on his own. Kids will relate to his hesitancy & doubt, and cheer for Sloth when he accomplishes what he wasn’t sure he could do. Recommended for parents & kids navigating this first step to independence.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a cute book on potty training a sloth.

[Jonathan Haddad · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you love those Charmin commercials with the unnaturally auburn-pelted, defecating bears obsessed with their bathroom habits, this book is for you. It follows the format even down to the euphemistic use of the verb "go" to mean, well you know, to poop. Although, to my mind, sloths are an underutilized animal for children's books, I found the plot centered on the baby sloth's journey to take a crap a little too earnest for my tastes. Even my daughter, who as the child of Bengali and Jewish parents is genetically predisposed to obsessing about constipation, was rather non-plussed by the book.

Still, to say I wasn't swayed by the book would be disingenuous. Did I take my daughter to the bathroom to poop immediately after finishing the book? Why yes, I did. I also learned a lot more about Sloth's poop than I had previous imagined wanting to know from the book. The final two pages about "The real sloth poop adventure are required reading. In the end, although not a great read, Sloth Went was certainly instructive.

If you prefer more ironic, hipster takes on pooping, however, I recommend the Lacanian, hide-the-signifier language games of Poop.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fortunately, the colorful illustrations of the cute little sloth make up for this dung hill of a story that manages to turn a big adventure into a little poop. Where are the predators lurking in the jungle, which make this once-a-week ritual so dangerous? How does a sloth choose the right spot to go poop? It certainly isn’t marked with a big, black X as shown in the illustration. Why isn’t the fascinating post-poop dance described with words? Were the poop rituals taught to the baby by its parents? The real story is in the endnotes, which contain all of the interesting information about the defecation habits of sloths that this story leaves out.

[Michelle Andersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

SLOTH WENT by Adam Lehrhaupt and Benson Shum is an adorable book with many encouraging messages. Yes, it’s a potty training book, but it’s also a book about overcoming fears, listening to your body, doing your best, the importance of trying not necessarily succeeding, friendship, and at its core, it’s a book about positivity. The illustrations are expressive and colorful and sure to keep young children engaged. There’s so much to like about this sweet book, you'll definitely want to add it to your collection!

[Elizabeth Bedia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable! A wonderful story for kids tackling potty training. Little Sloth is nervous about having to "go" and not sure if he will make it. All of his friends and family gently cheer for him as he journeys to "the potty". Lehrhaupt's encouraging narrative paired with Shum's delightful, engaging illustrations paint a relatable story for children who experience hesitancy and apprehension when learning how to use the potty on their own. Parents and children navigating those first moments of independence will enjoy this story.

[Abby Johnson]

This is a cute little book about a sloth making his first journey to to ground to take care of important business (pooping business). Don't skip the author's note, which gives the facts about sloths' once-a-week trek to visit the forest floor to poop. This would be a fun read for potty training time (particularly any kids who are nervous about it) or any kids who enjoy animal stories about poop (and isn't that most of them?).

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I heard from a storyteller that sloths only come down once a week to go to the bathroom, and I guess it's true! I'm not sure we needed an entire book on the topic, but hey, the illustrations of the sweet animals were pretty cute. Might be helpful for parents trying to introduce bathroom topics for potty training kids.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This describes a sloth and what sloths do but is seldom talked about in non-fiction books. Sloths live in the rainforest way up high and this one needs to descend weekly. I was surprised when I read the back matter about sloth digestion, eating, and what happens when he comes down to the forest floor. A little sloth is in danger once he reaches the ground and predators.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sloth has a big day ahead - his first trip down the tree trunk to poop. Not sure you g readers would know this if it wasn’t stated on the front cover, the illustrations don’t show the evidence, have to read author note in the back to find out sloths dig a hole and cover the poops up when done. Third star for the fun, bright illustrations.

[Elizabeth Mellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute! I spotted it at the library and thought ooh sloth, oh, hey, it's about a sloth pooping, welp, I need that. If there's one thing that kids think is hilarious, it's pooping. This actually wasn't a funny book, more about perseverance and getting there slowly, but the text and action was not as fun and engaging with my four year old as I had hoped.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sloth Went is such a clever, clever book. The whole time I thought it was about reaching the top of the tree, but then [SPOILER]...

it turned out that it was about potty training. Filled with encouragement and support, this is a wonderful story for all children and parents aiming to take on the 'big day' for the first time.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend as a poop book for the littles, though it should be noted that the text doesn't mention what is actually going on. The sloth refers to the process with go/went verbs, so there is a level of intuition to connect the material for readers. It's hilarious, and cute, and entirely relatable.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though the book shows the journey to potty training for Sloth, the main focus is on perseverance and conquering fear. Sloth is nervous to leave the tree to poop. His mom and friends encourage and cheer him on. Readers see him gain courage and go through the whole process before returning to the tree to celebrate. Don't miss the author's informative text at the end.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute illustrations, and who doesn't love a sloth? I don't think I knew that the title referred to "going to the bathroom," but that was fine. The author note is key. Kids who like books about going to the bathroom will enjoy it, although they might find the author note even more interesting.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute, easy-going (nudge, nudge) book about potty training. It doesn't go into detail about pooping, and it's not gross, so it should be easy to share with lots of types of kids in various settings.

[Kelly]

This is your subtle poop book. I don't know that I would have known it was about poop without the tagline on the cover and then rereading the title to mean, oh that kind of "went." I think once kids know, they will want to pretend to be sloth, so watch your yard for giant holes, grown ups! :D

[Erin Dealey · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG what a clever book for potty training. I love sloth's concern about his "Big Day." And butterfly's message: "It's ok if you don't make it." A gentle and fun book to encourage little ones to just try.

[Julie Abery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book with a tie in to potty training. Working with the very youngest children in nursery, I can see this being such a reassuring book. Shum's art is bright and vibrant and perfectly complements the tone of this little story about big achievements.

[Jami Gigot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t read anything about this book ahead of time, and it took me by surprise that it was about a sloth going poop! I thought it was great and very funny. At it’s heart it’s a story about encouragement, overcoming fear and trying your best. Also, the illustrations are super adorable.

[JaNay Brown-Wood]

An encouraging book to cheer on the apprehensive little one who may have reservations about going to the potty. Shum's illustrations are adorable, and this story can definitely be shared with reluctant new-to-potty users.

[Lillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

maybe a little more context is needed - not everyone knows that sloths have to descend to the forest floor to poop once a week - the context is provided after the fact and not overly kid friendly - but once you know that the book is sorta cute