Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Dozing in an armchair with a three-string guitar in his lap, Sloth hears the phone ring and drags himself across the carpet to answer it. "Hurry, Sloth!" urges the narrator. Sloth learns that he is the winner of a shopping spree, and he has "only three hours to claim his prize" from a distant store. Although Sloth is not sure what "spree" means, he hastens outdoors, misses the bus, and falls asleep on a shortcut through a tree-lined city park (where an Occupy encampment provides a contemporary touch). Seibold (Olive, the Other Reindeer) introduces a quirky protagonist whose innate sluggishness is at odds with frenzied consumer culture. The digital illustrations-in carnival colors of bubblegum pink, white, and tropical blues and greens-have all the asymmetrical charm of Seibold's earlier work. Sloth's lethargy provides humor and suspense, but Seibold goes for the easy win when a hang-glider materializes, enabling Sloth to claim a prize that's ideally suited to his sedate, unhurried lifestyle. Although the story's ending disappoints, Sloth is a likably absurd character. Ages 4-up. (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreK-Gr 1-Sloth moves very slowly so when the phone rings, he misses the call. The voice mail tells him that he has won a shopping spree at a nearby store and needs to be there by three. The critter is intrigued even though he doesn't have a clue as to what a "spree" is. Even though sloths aren't great at hurrying, he tries his mightiest to get there in time. He just misses the bus and falls asleep after he climbs a tree to travel through the park. He eventually gets to the store in spite of his limitations and accidentally lands in a pile of pillows that he gets to take home. What could be better for a sleepy sloth? Seibold's distinctive art adds to the silliness of the situations the protagonist finds himself in. Young children will chuckle over the ludicrous events that help the little creature get to the store on time. Pair this title with Eric Carle's "Slowly, Slowly, Slowly," said the Sloth (Philomel, 2002) to fill in the blanks on the somnolent nature of these animals.-Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
A message on his answering machine tells Sloth that he's a won a shopping spree. The story follows the lackadaisical critter as he meanders to the store, besting obstacles along the way. Despite the protagonist's lethargy, both the storytelling and the slick, candy-colored illustrations have a hyperactive quality, which may amuse some kids. Unfortunately, the resolution is as nonsensical as the buildup. (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A free shopping spree turns into a race against time--never a happy idea when you're a sloth. Too logy even to get to the phone before the answering machine kicks in, Sloth learns that he has only eight hours to claim his spree at the store. Can he make it? Being narcoleptic as well as slow-moving, his ensuing odyssey quickly turns hilariously suspenseful as Seibold urges readers to form a cheering section with lines printed in a different color--"Yay, Sloth! Let's go, Sloth!" In the characteristically stylized illustrations, Sloth's frozen, masklike features add a Buster Keatonish air to his frantic efforts. Having dragged his way down the street and into the park, where a hoped-for shortcut becomes a long detour/nap, Sloth arrives in the nick of time on a stolen hang glider. His spree turns out to be short but sweet, as he immediately rams his cart into a pile of pillows and passes out. The author cranks tongue further into cheek with witty side business, like a glimpse of an Occupy! camp in the park and, at the end, a one-person pillow fight ("Yay, Sloth! You won!"). Another clever, quirky outing. (Picture book. 6-8)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
