Sloth Went

by Adam Lehrhaupt, Benson Shum (Illustrator)

Overview

This hilarious picture book is about a sloth on the go. A sloth who is . . . very slowly . . . making his way to a major milestone: potty training!

Today is Sloth's big day.
He's excited.
But he's also nervous.

What if something happens?
What if NOTHING happens?

Sloth Went is a book about poop. But it's also an adventure story about facing your fears, gaining independence, and learning to do what you have to. Even if, as in Sloth's case, it takes a little while to get there.

Also included: back matter with the amazing true story of how sloths poop!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781547602452
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	06/02/2020
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.20(w) x 10.20(h) x 1.40(d)
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Adam Lehrhaupt has traveled to six continents, performed on Broadway, and lived on a communal farm. He received the E.B. White Read-Aloud Honor for his debut picture book, Warning: Do Not Open This Book, illustrated by Matthew Forsythe, and is the author of over a dozen published and forthcoming picture books including the six-book Chicken in . . . series, starting with Chicken in Space, illustrated by Sahar Kober, and I Will Not Eat You, illustrated by Scott Magoon.
www.adamlehrhaupt.com
@lehrhaupt (Twitter and Instagram)

Benson Shum is an author, illustrator, and animator. His previous books include Holly's Day at the Pool and Go to Sheep and Hide 'n' Sheep, and as an animator at the Walt Disney Animation Studios, he has been a part of such films as Frozen, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, Moana, and Frozen II. Originally from Vancouver, BC, Benson now lives in sunny Southern California.
bensonshum.com
@bshum79 (Instagram and Twitter)

Editorial Reviews

05/18/2020

Reading Lehrhaupt’s (Please, Open This Book!) afterword proves essential to fully enjoying this potty tale. It reveals that sloths’ digestive systems are—no surprise—slow, that the creatures only need to poop once a week, and that they are instinctively driven to do so on the ground, far below their safe home in the forest canopy. Representing hygiene habits in the extreme, this information forges a critical bond between the protagonist, an anxious little sloth, and readers, who will understand that pooping to others’ expectations is a big deal. “I don’t think I’m gonna make it,” the baby sloth tells various forest friends while inching anxiously down the tree. “Just listen to your body and it will all work out,” advises Frog, one of the sloth’s many cheerleaders. Watercolor and ink cartooning by Shum (Holly’s Day at the Pool) is good humored but never at the expense of empathy; reassuring, sunny washes of color in a range of perspectives and composition styles build momentum, then portray the deed through four realistically funny grimaces in close-up, followed by a well-deserved touchdown dance. Families facing similar toilet trepidation will find plenty of sympathy and wisdom in these pages. Ages 3–6. Author’s agent: Alexandra Penfold, Upstart Crow Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Teresa Kietlinski. (June)

Publishers Weekly

2020-02-09
A young sloth successfully makes it.

Young Sloth has a lot of potty-training anxiety. His mom reassures him; an enthusiastic frog tells him “Just listen to your body and it will all work out”; and a friendly butterfly reminds him that even if he doesn’t succeed, it’s OK—“As long as you keep trying.” He slowly descends his tree, scurries to a special pooping spot (comically marked with an X), goes, and makes it back home in one piece. There’s no mention of bodily functions in the text, just a lot of sly references to taking “care of business” or how “it” will “come out fine.” The only clue prior to the author’s note is the tagline on the cover: “sometimes a little poop can be a big adventure.” The engaging backmatter explains more about sloth biology and lifestyle habits, clearing up any lingering questions about the protagonist’s motivations and actions. The constipated hero is extremely endearing, with a personality-filled stub of a tail and an endlessly expressive face, but the story risks young children missing the point, with no direct references to sloth’s predicament; even the final payoff is buried before readers can get a glimpse of his hard work! Sadly, adult sensibilities seem to be privileged over kids’ age-appropriate fascination with all things bathroom.

This story revolves around poop while avoiding gross-out humor—and, perhaps, readers’ comprehension. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews

Comic gold. . . . Younger children inspired by Sloth's courage and independent spirit may likewise be drawn to dance along after their own successful (e)missions.” —Booklist, starred review

“Extremely endearing.” —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher