Slow Down, Stanley

K-Gr 2–Stanley is not like any other sloth in the forest; he doesn’t let the moss grow on his back. He would rather be moving, observing, learning, and jumping. While his father sees no use in this continual movement, Stanley finds that there is simply too much to do. He would rather watch a lizard hunt, or watch the butterflies as they land. One day, Stanley discovers a monkey jumping from branch to branch. Curious, Stanley gives it a try and discovers that sloths can jump, too. Eager to share this information with his dad, Stanley shows up with a megaphone to broadcast the news to his father who is asleep in a tree, exactly where Stanley left him earlier in the day. Worried that his son is not like other sloths, Stanley’s dad protests. Stanley continues to practice his newfound jumping skills. One day, an emergency occurs: a fire has broken out in the forest. Who better to help the animals but Stanley? Told in third person, Stanley’s antics will encourage younger readers to do what they like best and not worry about everyone else. Pictures are done in a palette of bright orange, yellow, and red tones on a white background.