Review by Booklist Review
For Slow Lizard, the "slow, slow life" means plenty of time to enjoy their forest home's surroundings and to be there for friends. When anxious Little Bird feels overwhelmed, for instance, Slow Lizard suggests relaxing with a cup of tea--and "Little Bird's stress slowly melts away." For Mighty Elephant, who's upset after shoelace trouble, Slow Lizard proposes watching the clouds--and "Elephant's anger slowly melts away." When Funny Monkey's antics are not so amusing to others, Slow Lizard's idea to read a book together eases tensions. Later, as thunderstorms loom, all pitch in with their individual skills--now presented in a positive light--to get everyone home safely. Textural illustrations in soft colors depict the narrative in spreads that invite long pauses, emphasizing Slow Lizard's mindfulness, and the round, expressive animal characters have a convincing childlike quality. The reassuring, encouraging narrative has a gentle tone, and the closing point, that "rain will always stop, and the sky will always clear up," is a useful one for kids experiencing big emotions. A quiet book with a meaningful message, winsomely told.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2--This is a book in two parts. In the first half of the book, Slow Lizard introduces us to his friends. He describes scenarios that arise as a result of each anthropomorphized character's personality traits: Elephant has a short temper, Rabbit rushes without paying attention, and so on. Slow Lizard is a patient, mindful friend. Halfway through the book, he wonders if his friends are as happy to have him around as he is to have them. However, the book does not explore that doubt. In the second half, the animals set off on a journey to gather apples before a storm arrives. Each friend has a strength: Elephant helps carry large loads, Rabbit knows the way through the brush, and so on. Through their combined efforts, they make it home safe and dry, basket of apples in tow. The animals live in a world created by the most ebullient of colored pencils, with green plants, purple lilacs, and bright red apples. Most scenes are viewed from a comfortable middle distance, although one ingenious spread shows a first-person view of fluffy clouds seen through a hole in a leaf. Elephant is a friendly yellow, Little Bird is a bubbly blue. Slow Lizard resembles a frog head on a tiny dinosaur body in gentle green. VERDICT A look at the dynamics of friendship helps set this apart in a growing collection of mindfulness books, and the illustrations are worth getting lost in. Recommended for larger collections.--Chance Lee Joyner, Haverhill P.L., MA
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
"Even if it's stormy for a while, it's OK. The rain will always stop and the sky will always clear up." In this cozy South Korean import, Slow Lizard gently teaches Little Bird, Elephant, Rabbit, Monkey, and readers mindful ways of soothing anger, anxiety, and disappointment. Slow Lizard lives a "slow, slow life," with lots of time for helping friends through their rough patches. With Little Bird, who is anxious and busy but also prepared for anything, for instance, Slow Lizard shares a cup of flower tea, melting the stress away. All the friends have their quirks that respond to Slow Lizard's counsel in ways that benefit the group: Elephant frustrates easily but is generous and kind to the other forest animals, including hasty but clever Rabbit, and Monkey is energetic and mischievous but also ready to enjoy a book. Straightforward language invites readers to "take [their] time" and offers careful ways of redirecting negative emotions with offers of help, friendship, and quiet distraction. Kim's rich colored-pencil illustrations, in a sweet pastel palette, portray the adorable friend group enjoying tea, apples, and picture books with peaceful smiles in their forest home. Readers and nonreaders alike will surely love quietly enjoying the lovingly rendered, abundant details in the combination of full spreads, Slow Lizard and Little Bird's teatime on giant, pillowy peonies, in particular. Comforting as a cup of flower tea shared with a friend. (Picture book. 2-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
