With the holidays fast approaching and the hustle and bustle that come along with the season, it's nice to take a page out of the sloth's playbook and slow down and enjoy the moment!
National Sloth Day (yes, it's real!) was actually a while ago on Saturday, October 18th, but I was channeling my inner sloth by not rushing and instead taking my sweet time getting this post published!
(We're a beginner blog, so I figured our very loyal, but small group of daily readers would be okay with it!)
Back to the sloth stuff! So, last winter we actually had the opportunity to see one of these interesting and adorable animals up close and have become fans!
Sloths are really adorable and have soared in popularity. We saw a young sloth named Barry at a traveling wildlife educational expo and he was definitely the hit of the day! When Barry came out, it was like a rock star had come into the room!
Cameras and smartphones were everywhere busily capturing the small exotic ambassador of the rainforest canopies. Barry hugged his stuffy and made the rounds while his handler talked about Barry and educated the crowd about Barry and the sloth's natural habitat.
In recognition of National Sloth Day, we'd like to feature three books that celebrate this furry celebrity!
Our first title we have is Slowly, Slowly, Slowly Said the Sloth by Eric Carle with a forward by Jane Goodall. Like all of Eric Carle's books, this picture book is a feast for the eyes that delights anyone who reads it regardless of age!
Eric Carle's stories often feature animals and wildlife and bring their daily challenges, questions and discoveries to life which makes for a very identifiable story! His colorful collage illustrations are appreciated by fans of all ages.
If you are able to make the trip to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, it is a very worthwhile visit! The museum hosts not only stunning works and exhibits by Eric Carle but also other children's book illustrators as well. We have been there several times and are aiming to return again soon this fall.
Slowly, Slowly, Slowly Said the Sloth by Eric Carle is perhaps one of the first sloth books that brought this animal into the forefront. Its captivating illustrations will spark the imagine of you and your young reader!
In addition, Jane Goodall's forward to Slowly, Slowly, Slowly Said the Sloth reminds us to support and protect sloths and other wildlife and is a heartfelt beginning to this delightful story.
I remember years ago that sloths did not have a very positive connotation. They were associated with being slow and lazy...not qualities that we admired or encouraged!
But, as our world has become busier, and our lives are constantly connected via cell phones and the internet, the pendulum has swung back the other way with respect to our opinions of the zen-like sloths.
We appreciate their gentleness, ability to exist without complication and enjoy a simple and pure existence.
So, the animal that used to be the basis for negative comparisons is now revered for its calm and peaceful nature!
If you're looking for some wonderful collections of sloth-inspired lessons, A Sloth's Guide to Taking it Easy is a great choice with delightful illustrations to accompany the sloth's pearls of wisdom!
The other day we had to run out and get some essentials and bumped into this adorable Sloth Warmie! Of course, we slowed down and took a few pics of this fantastic sloth giftable item!
This next book is perfect for those of you who want a peek into the ins and outs of sloth-hood! I love, love, love non-fiction picture books; they are my hands down favorite way to learn about stuff! In this case, it's sloths!
The author takes us along on the day to day happenings at a sloth rescue and rehabilitation center. We see behind the scenes of the care and rehabilitation of sloths and have the opportunity to be introduced to some of the furry members of the community!
Sloths have definitely had a shift in association and are now appreciated for the gifts and lessons they represent!
After seeing all of the books, posters, pillows and other sloth-inspired gift-y items, it is apparent that the world has finally caught up to and understands what sloths have known all along... slow down, smell the hibiscus and simply enjoy life!
Here are some fun things to do regarding all things sloth...
Want to know some fun facts about sloths after reading this post, of course (what's the rush?!) Click here: https://www.globalanimal.org/2014/06/17/15-surprising-sloth-facts/118906/
Channel your inner Zen and try some yoga! We both love Yoga with Adriene! https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene
Enjoy drawing? Learn to draw a super cute sloth along with other animals! We found this book at a local store and it has a bunch to choose from!
'Adopt' a sloth through the World Wildlife Fund! You don't actually get a sloth, you help the WWF support and help sloths! Read more about it here:https://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/Species-Adoptions/Two-Toed-Sloth.aspx
Do nothing! Make like a sloth and relax!
And now, I have come to the end of this post, and I'm going to make like a sloth and go hang out!
Keep Calm and Hang On!
April
