Ready, Set, Sloth!

by Janey Merry

Good things can come from going your own speed.

Sloth endures a tough day at school. His slowness incites teasing, pressure, and frustrations from his classmates. The next day, though, shows good things come from going your own speed.

Filled with quirky characters and relatable experiences, Ready, Set, Sloth! demonstrates the power of perseverance, accepting your true self, and finding strengths in your weaknesses.

Also filled with a cast of atypical animals--from South America, not the neighborhood--this story will attract millennial parents who crave diversity, education, and emotion in children's picture books. Sloth will introduce children to the Amazon rainforest, push their vocabulary, and inspire empathy.

26 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2020

About the author

Janey Merry is a wife and mother. She lives in her hometown of Yukon, Oklahoma with her husband, Philip, and their toddler, Luke. She earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Central Oklahoma, majoring in early childhood education.

Janey Merry is a children's picture book, young adult writer, and romance writer. She enjoys going on adventures with her family, and playing with their many pets. An Okie girl who loves anything Japanese and swoons over every happily-ever-after. She is passionate about animals, nature, books, and traveling. Janey is an optimist, animal-lover and tree-hugger.

Janey is the author of "In Stitches", a short story in the anthology "Shivers in the Night", the children's picture book, "Ready, Set, Sloth!", and the whimsically fun activity book, "Ready, Set, Color!"

Reviews

[Kelly Burns Osvold · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book for young children. It gives them a sense that no matter their pace, they will do great, as long as they persevere. I wish this book was around when my son was younger. He was the pokey careful child. Children are also introduced to many animals they may not know. Excellent story, lovely illustrations.

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! What a heartwarming story with morals of patience and kindness-two of my favorite things! I highly recommend this book.

[Amelia Oz · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this charming book! I've been on the hunt for books for families and came across this delightful book that I wish was out when my own son was still young. If you are looking for a holiday gift for youngsters, this is it. Sloth actually reminds me of Rudolph the Reindeer-different from others, yet special and in the end appreciated and valued for those very unique characteristics. Sloth is nervous about a school race as he is the slowest student. He is careful and always does great work-just slooooowly. By the end of the book, it becomes clear that you can be authentically yourself and a winner. The illustrations are lovely and it was a bonus to find sloth facts at the end (why doesn't love sloths!?) I had no idea that the world wouldn't have avocados but for the amazing sloth. Loved this so much I'm buying copies for friends with preschool and children for their own libraries.:-)

[Scott Ravede · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is there anything slower than a sloth? Maybe a tortoise, but luckily (or unluckily, depending on how you look at it) for Sloth, there are no tortoises in his class, so Sloth can claim the title of slowest for himself. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as the question on the back cover suggests: “What if your weakness is really your strength?” You can see parallels to the Tortoise and the Hare story and the aphorism “Slow and steady wins the race.” There actually is a race in this story, but there are other activities in which Sloth participates that prove the adage.

The only danger in this book is if your kids get too smart for their own good and cite this book as an excuse for taking forever to clean up their room or doing their homework.

[Ashley S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sloth is slow. And his classmates don't let him forget it. But Sloth learns that being slow has its benefits. Especially, when it comes to Field Day. Parents and young children will enjoy this book about being you. The illustrations are adorable and my 2-year-old loves reading this book and looking at the illustrations.

[Elizabeth Epely-Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so well written and the story is incredibly sweet. I can't wait to read this to my kids over and over again as a reminder that first and fastest isn't always best and kindness always wins.

[M Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cute kids book has an important message for your kids - actually for all of us: that sometimes your perceived weakness could be your greatest strength! Well written and easy to read, adults will enjoy it as will their children.

[Cori Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful children's book about what you may see as a weakness may actually be a strength.

[Christy Harrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute book!