Happy Sloth Day!

by April Pulley Sayre, April Pulley Sayre (Photographer), Jeff Sayre (With)

Overview

Take a stunning sloth’s-eye view of the world in this beautiful and informative photographic nonfiction picture book from award-winning author and photographer April Pulley Sayre.

Come meet sloths in the rainforest canopy where these slow, gentle creatures live and see what they eat, how they hide from predators, and much more. Young readers will also learn about some of the other creatures that share this interconnected and fragile tropical forest ecosystem. With gorgeous photographs, a text that’s perfect for reading aloud, info-packed side bars, and detailed end matter, this book will captivate sloth enthusiasts of all ages!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781534453746
Publisher:	Beach Lane Books
Publication date:	03/15/2022
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	48
Lexile:	AD750L (what's this?)
File size:	32 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	3 - 8 Years

About the Author

April Pulley Sayre (1966–2021) was the award-winning author of more than fifty-five natural science books for children and adults, including her award-winning photo-illustrated books Being Frog, Raindrops Roll, and Best in Snow. Sayre’s books received an abundance of starred reviews, have been dubbed ALA Notable Books (Raindrops Roll; Rah, Rah, Radishes) and won a Geisel Honor (Vulture View). Learn more at AprilSayre.com.

Editorial Reviews

★ 05/16/2022

Combining crisp photographs of sloths moving about a forest canopy with bite-size observations about sloth life, this smartly paced collaboration by the late Pulley Sayre and husband Sayre follows sloth movements over a day. “After a rainy,/ drizzly night,” a sodden sloth climbs to reach the sun’s warmth: “When you live/ inside your laundry,/ morning’s/ drip-dry/ time.” Slowly paced lines, full spreads that highlight various poses, and accessible notes (for example, covering sloth claws, digestion, and threats) invite readers to linger over the subject matter. These components also juxtapose deliberate sloth maneuvers with those of other rainforest species, portrayed using panels and quick phrases (“Hammer./ Hover./ Crunch./ Catch”). It’s as close to a forest canopy trek as one can have from a comfy chair. Back matter includes sloth facts and a resource list. Ages 3–8. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

04/15/2022

K-Gr 2—Longtime nature lovers with a history of numerous guided wildlife excursions, the Sayres are wonderfully equipped to tell the story of the sloth. Stunning photos of the Panamanian rainforest accompany the snappy text. "A tree is sloth salad," they write. "Rip! Snip! Chew. Chew." For younger readers, this colorful language might serve as a sufficient introduction, but older readers will also be drawn to the highly informative sidebars. Here are the differences between the two-toed and three-toed sloth, as well as the distinct characteristics of sloths and howler monkeys, their fellow tree dwellers. Kids who like to accumulate amazing facts will note the surprising similarities between cow and sloth digestive systems, the vertebrae that allow sloths to turn their heads 270 degrees, and the fact that the green color so useful for camouflage is a result of microbes housed in the cracks of a sloth's hair. Illustrations capture not only the sloth, but other animals residing in the rainforest habitat. The back matter is rich and comprehensive, with additional resources provided. This makes it a likely source for report writing, as well as pleasure reading. VERDICT This well-researched title gloriously evokes the wonder of the rainforest and celebrates a fascinating and often misunderstood creature.—Gloria Koster

School Library Journal