Sloth & Moth are Better Together

 
Sloth & Moth: A Better-Together Friendship 
by Helen Taylor; illus. by Gavin Scott 
32 pages; ages 5-8
Sleeping Bear Press, 2026

themes: sloths, friendship, moths, nature, symbiosis
 

Everywhere Sloth went, Moth followed.

From branch to branch, playing tag – and even down the tree for Sloth’s weekly “business” trips. As Sloth grew older, he outgrew the close friendship. Sloth wanted to be left alone. And for a while, being alone was good. But then he realized that Sloth and Moth are better together.

What I like about this book: This is such a fun book to read and read aloud. Sloth and Moth are great reflections on the kiddos for whom this book is aimed. Who among us has not wished an older or younger sibling would just leave us alone?! And sometimes, even best friends need a break. I particularly love the dialog balloons… when Sloth climbs down the tree very slo-o-owly, Moth repeatedly asks, “Are we there yet?” The illustrations are adorable. 

But you know what I really like? Yep, you guessed it: the Back Matter! There’s a great section on sloth-moth symbiotic relationships, a photo glossary, and a branch full of fun facts. Did you know that a single sloth can host more than 100 moths in its fur? I did not know that!

Beyond the Books:

Find out more about sloths and how they live.

Make this sloth-handprint craft out of paper. Here's how. Add your own moth.

There is mutualism happening right outside your door: pollinators and flowering plants! Learn more about a pollinator-plant relationship in your area and draw a picture or write a short story.

Today we’re joining Perfect Picture Book Friday. It’s a wonderful gathering where bloggers share great picture books at Susanna Leonard Hill's website. Review copy provided by the publisher.

Explore Outdoors ~ portrait of a dandelion

 I just love the curly hair on top of this one! OK, in reality I know those are sticky stigmas sticking up - awaiting pollen carried by bees, flies, wasps - all three of which I saw in the garden on dandelions.

This week catch a close-up of a flower in your neighborhood.

See Your World Anew

 Last week I shared The Nature of Play, a handbook for exploring the world around us in all seasons. This week I want to dive a bit deeper into the theme of exploring nature. 

Stickler Loves the World (A Stickler Story)

by Lane Smith 

40 pages; ages 4-8

Random House Studio, 2023

theme: mindfulness, wonder, appreciation

Many strange creatures lived in the part of the forest where shadow met tree. 

But the strangest of all was Stickler.

Stickler loves sticks more than anything in the world. Except maybe fluffy clouds, buzzy bees, and prickly plants! Our world, says Stickler, has some pretty weird stuff – this coming from a character with eight – or six, or five – eyes that never seem to stay in the same place.

“Oh, to see it all anew. Wouldn’t that be amazing?” Stickler muses. When an alien shows up, Stickler has that very opportunity. The two set out to see the world, Stickler narrating all the wonders as they walk. Puffballs (dandelion seed heads), rocks, the wind…  the changing colors of the sunset.

What I like  LOVE about this book: As Stickler “shows” things to the space alien, readers can see things Stickler either misses or simply ignores. That space helmet? Not a helmet at all. When Stickler alludes to all the wonders we pass by every day “without even noticing,” we can see the creature in the woods. 

I love the language. The wind is like a whisper. Maple samaras whirl, twirl, spin as they fall. I especially love it when Stickler discovers who is really under that space helmet, and how they have both had their eyes “opened” that day. I love the art!

Beyond the Books:

Share the world outside your house with someone who can’t see it. Maybe blindfold a friend and describe what you see, smell, feel. Or call a cousin and tell them about the nature right outside your door.

Paint or draw a picture of the nature growing around you. How does creating art influence the way you see your world?

Collect some bits of nature that are on the ground – acorns, fallen leaves, sticks, stones – and pay attention to how they feel, their colors, whether they have a smell.

Describe the wind, how the sunshine feels, what the earth smells like before (or after) rain. 

Today we’re joining Perfect Picture Book Friday. It’s a wonderful gathering where bloggers share great picture books at Susanna Leonard Hill's website. I borrowed this book from my local library, Candor Free Library.