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The Sloth Who Slowed Us Down: A Picture Book
Author Margaret Wild and illustrator Vivienne To’s picture book The Sloth Who Slowed Us Down is a celebration of slowing down and remembering the important things in life.
When the speediest family in the world finds a sweet, slow sloth on their doorstep, they take him in. But, little do they know, their new pet has quite a bit to teach them.
For Amy’s family, there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. Mom rushes through her work. Dad rushes through his chores. Even little Amy rushes through dinner. But Sloth does things slowly. He likes to take long, leisurely baths with lots and lots of bubbles. He plays drawn-out, imaginative games. He eats his food slowly, enjoying one small bite at a time.
After a few weeks of caring for their new pet, Amy’s family finds that they actually do have enough time to tell one another stories or go for long walks together after dinner—so long as they stop rushing around so much.
“Large, humorous illustrations and a timely message in these days of hectic activity make this a natural storytime choice.” — School Library Journal
When the speediest family in the world finds a sweet, slow sloth on their doorstep, they take him in. But, little do they know, their new pet has quite a bit to teach them.
For Amy’s family, there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. Mom rushes through her work. Dad rushes through his chores. Even little Amy rushes through dinner. But Sloth does things slowly. He likes to take long, leisurely baths with lots and lots of bubbles. He plays drawn-out, imaginative games. He eats his food slowly, enjoying one small bite at a time.
After a few weeks of caring for their new pet, Amy’s family finds that they actually do have enough time to tell one another stories or go for long walks together after dinner—so long as they stop rushing around so much.
“Large, humorous illustrations and a timely message in these days of hectic activity make this a natural storytime choice.” — School Library Journal
32 pages, Hardcover
First published August 14, 2018
1 person is currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Wild
154 books111 followersMargaret Wild is one of Australia's most highly respected picture-book creators whose award-winning children's books are loved by children all over the world. Margaret has published over seventy picture books for young children and she has been the recipient of the Nan Chauncy Award and the Lady Cutler Award for her contributions to Australian children's literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
January 7, 2020
Awesome, of course, but then I’m pretty much gaga when it comes to sloths. Fun story, cute pics.
October 31, 2018
The Sloth Who Slowed Us Down by Margaret Wild, illustrated by Vivienne To. PICTURE BOOK. Abrams Books, 2018. $17. 9781419731952
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL.
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Amy’s family does everything fast, from driving to eating, until she brings a sloth home from the park. During dinner the first night the sloth is with them, the sloth eats so slow that Amy has time to tell her family about everything that happened to her that day and during the family walk, sloth is so slow the family has time to talk to neighbors, pet a cat, and looks at the stars. For three weeks the family learns a new pace until sloth moves in with their neighbors.
The illustrations in this book are inviting to young readers and, as sloths are having a cultural moment, will draw in readers. This is also a timely topic, as many families are trying to evaluate their own pace in a world that is moving faster and faster. I loved the reflection this book called for, on top of just being a fun book to read.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL.
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Amy’s family does everything fast, from driving to eating, until she brings a sloth home from the park. During dinner the first night the sloth is with them, the sloth eats so slow that Amy has time to tell her family about everything that happened to her that day and during the family walk, sloth is so slow the family has time to talk to neighbors, pet a cat, and looks at the stars. For three weeks the family learns a new pace until sloth moves in with their neighbors.
The illustrations in this book are inviting to young readers and, as sloths are having a cultural moment, will draw in readers. This is also a timely topic, as many families are trying to evaluate their own pace in a world that is moving faster and faster. I loved the reflection this book called for, on top of just being a fun book to read.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
February 11, 2025
Beautiful illustrations accompany a fun story about the speediest family in the world hosting a sloth for three weeks. How will the sloth fit in? Will it change them or will they change him? A great group read aloud!
September 21, 2018
This was a really cute story with great illustrations.
December 11, 2018
The illustrations in this book are lovely and the message of slowing down is so important
January 14, 2019
A cute story of how a sloth shows families to slow down and enjoy life.
January 16, 2019
What a message and commentary on our lives right now as humans. Seems like more people need a sloth to come live in their homes so they can stop and actually enjoy life.
June 19, 2019
A very wonderful book, with great art and a story every parent can relate to. A sloth is found by a family who has gotten so caught up in life they don’t realize how fast they are moving through it. And the sloth, by its nature, slows them down to appreciate life more.
June 26, 2019
For the speediest family in the world, a pet sloth is just the thing to help them slow down and enjoy life.
January 24, 2020
Cute book. This book could well be worth reading for all the busy families who try to move too fast.
May 26, 2021
A family is busy busy busy, with hardly enough time to slow down. Then a sloth cames to stay and the family learn the values of waiting, patience, and enjoying the moment. Really cute!
February 14, 2023
loved it! so cute!
June 16, 2024
This is a perfect tribute to the "slow down" movement!!! Adults and kids get the message, and they like it. There are benefits to slowing down and not being in a rush or on the go all the time. And the little girl in the book (in a heartbreaking way) thanks sloth for "the best day ever". Thankfully, her parents learn that slowing down is not just good for their daughter but it is good for them!
August 15, 2018
Sloths. Are. The. Best.
And let’s be honest, we do all need to slow down a bit. :-)
And let’s be honest, we do all need to slow down a bit. :-)
May 30, 2020
Though this book was published in 2017, I just discovered it, and it is incredibly applicable to our lives over the past few months: The Sloth Who Slowed Us Down by Margaret Wild, illustrated by Vivienne To. Over the past few months, we've been forced to slow down. Overnight, many of us found ourselves with clear calendars, no extracurriculars, no social outings, nowhere to go... Similarly, Amy's family has to slow down abruptly when she brings a sloth home from the park.
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"Amy's family was the speediest family in the world... There was never any time to talk or play or laugh or laze..." Wild opens with these words, accompanied by To's frazzled-feeling illustrations of rush, never-ending to-dos, and failed multitasking. Then, one day, Amy finds a sloth at the park and brings him home to her family. (Fortunately, other than remarking that he needs a bath, Amy's parents don't seem phased at all about their new and unusual pet!).
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And this sloth is the best thing that has ever happened to Amy's family. As you've likely guessed based on the fact that he's a sloth, Amy's family slows down. It starts with the first family dinner, when Sloth eats so slowly that Amy has time to tell her family all about her day -- and we can tell from her parents' reaction that this is an unusual occurrence! Sloth lives with Amy and her parents for "three glorious weeks," but changes their lives forever. Though he finds a new family that needs him more, Sloth leaves a lasting impact on Amy's family.
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Be sure to take in the details in this one! From the names of books written on their spines to the fact that Mom and Dad stop wearing their watches over the course of sloth's influence, To's illustrations could tell this story without any words. And, they're delightfully colorful, warmly accessible, and nicely diverse!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
"Amy's family was the speediest family in the world... There was never any time to talk or play or laugh or laze..." Wild opens with these words, accompanied by To's frazzled-feeling illustrations of rush, never-ending to-dos, and failed multitasking. Then, one day, Amy finds a sloth at the park and brings him home to her family. (Fortunately, other than remarking that he needs a bath, Amy's parents don't seem phased at all about their new and unusual pet!).
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
And this sloth is the best thing that has ever happened to Amy's family. As you've likely guessed based on the fact that he's a sloth, Amy's family slows down. It starts with the first family dinner, when Sloth eats so slowly that Amy has time to tell her family all about her day -- and we can tell from her parents' reaction that this is an unusual occurrence! Sloth lives with Amy and her parents for "three glorious weeks," but changes their lives forever. Though he finds a new family that needs him more, Sloth leaves a lasting impact on Amy's family.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Be sure to take in the details in this one! From the names of books written on their spines to the fact that Mom and Dad stop wearing their watches over the course of sloth's influence, To's illustrations could tell this story without any words. And, they're delightfully colorful, warmly accessible, and nicely diverse!
October 13, 2018
Like so many of us, Amy's family races through life. Amy secretly longs for them to slow down a bit so that she can share the events of her day. When Amy brings a sloth home, things start to change. Because the sloth does everything very slowly, including bathing, eating, and walking, Amy's parents are forced to slow down as well. And wonder of wonder, they start to enjoy the little things in life such as Amy's stories about school, chatting with the neighbors, and meeting other animals that live nearby. Before they realize it--but it all happens ever so S-L-O-W-L-Y at the pace of a sloth they aren't racing around and have stopped to smell the roses. Its work done, the sloth moves on to another speedy family in need of its example. The lesson here is clear, a palpable reminder that racing through life often causes us to miss out on what matters and the small joys of life. The illustrations deftly depict the change in the family's attitude through their facial expressions and hairdos, loosening up over the course of the book to Amy's great delight. Observant readers will be amused by the book titles depicted on the next to last pages. I'm sure there are many families and individuals who can benefit from reading this one and mending their fast-paced ways.
December 17, 2018
Amy's family rushes for everything. "They walked fast, drove fast, shopped fast, and ate fast." This upsets Amy because there isn't any time for laughter or fun. When Amy finds a sloth hanging from a tree in the park, she never expected the impact he'd have on her family.
Sloth did everything very, very slow. While Amy's family rushes, sloth still moves slow. For that reason, they have to wait for him. Eventually, the family begins to slow their activities and Amy is full of joy from it.
THE SLOTH WHO SLOWED US DOWN is an adorable story that teaches about the importance of enjoying your life instead of speeding through it. It's important to slow down and enjoy the little things. Sloth teaches Amy's family this and I love it! Sloths are known to be slow so it is very well done by the author.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this to fans of animals, especially sloths. It's also a good story to teach the importance of family.
Sloth did everything very, very slow. While Amy's family rushes, sloth still moves slow. For that reason, they have to wait for him. Eventually, the family begins to slow their activities and Amy is full of joy from it.
THE SLOTH WHO SLOWED US DOWN is an adorable story that teaches about the importance of enjoying your life instead of speeding through it. It's important to slow down and enjoy the little things. Sloth teaches Amy's family this and I love it! Sloths are known to be slow so it is very well done by the author.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this to fans of animals, especially sloths. It's also a good story to teach the importance of family.
January 17, 2019
In this fast-paced world where everyone feels compelled to check things off their to-do lists, it is important to be reminded to slow down and enjoy life. This picture book does exactly that. Amy's family does everything quickly, with one day blurring into the next, but when Amy brings a sloth home that she found hanging from a tree in the park, her family is forced to slow down because that sloth isn't doing anything quickly! The sloth helps Amy and her parents interact with their neighbors, spend time relaxing, and have actual conversations with one another. Eventually sloth moves on to help the family next door; hopefully his lesson won't be lost on his original family. This is a fun read aloud that kids and adults will relate to.
September 26, 2020
“He’s such a restful little fellow.”
A family that moves so quickly they don’t have time to enjoy each other or the life around them takes in a sloth. Because he moves so slowly, the family discovers all the things they have been missing: chatting with each other at dinner, chatting with neighbors, petting a cat and even stopping to admire the moon. Amy has never been happier. The sloth stays for three weeks, helping the family slow down and enjoy life.
Adorable illustrations and a timely message.
A family that moves so quickly they don’t have time to enjoy each other or the life around them takes in a sloth. Because he moves so slowly, the family discovers all the things they have been missing: chatting with each other at dinner, chatting with neighbors, petting a cat and even stopping to admire the moon. Amy has never been happier. The sloth stays for three weeks, helping the family slow down and enjoy life.
Adorable illustrations and a timely message.
August 27, 2018
Sloths have gone from obscure animal curiosity to media darlings. These sweet, placid animals have fans of all ages, and the picture books starring sloths have been mostly as delightful as sloths themselves. This book is no exception--the illustrations are cute and well-done, and the story suggests that we all have something to learn from the sloth!
September 18, 2019
A little girl is dismayed at the constant busy-ness and rushing her family does every day. She gets a pet sloth who does everything so slowly that the family is forced to take everything at a much calmer and less hectic pace. As they do, they learn the value taking time with one another.
Sweet illustrations.
Sweet illustrations.
November 10, 2020
The fastest family on the block is forced to slow down when a sloth comes to visit. While waiting for the sloth, they find the time to take in more of their surroundings and they gain a greater appreciation of the things they have. A cute book (with an adorable sloth in it! A+ illustrations) to share with a toddler who has to go go go!
September 19, 2018
This book was so cute! I loved the illustrations and how the lady bug and caterpillar appeared on most of the pages. The message of the story is great, about slowing down and taking time to enjoy life! Sloths are so cute too, so I loved this book overall!
January 1, 2019
A great read with a non-preachy moral to tell us. I felt a little sad at the end that Sloth moved on, but he had work to do. Look for Sloth’s insect friends who travel with him, they are a great detail.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2019
Bookaday #71. Cuteness overload alert for the sloth who help d a family in a rush slow down! Love the pics, attentive readers may want to search for Sloth’s ladybug and worm friend on each spread. Also love how Sloth has little plants growing in his fur, just like they have in the wild.
March 20, 2020
Going to use this as my first read aloud for distance learning. I think that the kids will relate to the message of slowing down and learning to appreciate the little things since they are all forced to do so right now.
January 9, 2023
Transparent theme, of course. And totally implausible. But funny, and inspirational. You can't adopt a sloth, but you can adopt the perspective on life that they represent. Too many people fill their time with busy work in order to feel important, which causes them to feel pressured and rushed. Health of self and family is a better measure of success!
(note that the sloth is a 'who' not a 'that')
(note that the sloth is a 'who' not a 'that')
October 15, 2024
An unexpectedly absolutely delightful book. This was a random book my kid pulled off the shelf of the library and we ended up both loving it. The illustrations are adorable, the story is sweet, and the pacing is perfect for a toddler.
July 30, 2018
A sloth helps a family slow down. Super cute.
August 19, 2018
Terrific message to slow down and enjoy life together. The sloth moves in and helps a family on the run relax and enjoy each other's company.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews