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Summary
Summary
Kyle has to go. There's just one problem: as a young three-toed sloth, he lives high in the rainforest canopy with his mom, and it's a LONG way down to the forest floor. Like other sloths, Kyle only goes down to the ground once a week when he has to do his "business." And he's never made the journey by himself before.
Kyle's mom says he's old enough to go alone, but Kyle isn't sure he's ready. It's so far! And won't it be lonely? Unfortunately, he doesn't have much time to decide.
As he descends, Kyle's worries dissipate when he discovers he's not really alone. He encounters friendly neighbors like the red-spectacled parrot, whipsnake, tiger-legged monkey tree frog and leaf-cutting ant, all camouflaged in the canopy. With encouragement from his mom, he keeps moving -- and makes it just in time.
The book closes with two pages of informational text: one about three-toed sloths and the other about camouflage. Cut-paper collage art brings the rainforest canopy and all its many layers to life throughout this sweet, gently humorous story about new experiences and newfound independence.
Author Notes
Jan Thornhill's science, nature, and animal-based books have received multiple honors, including the Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction ( I Found A Dead Bird ), the Children's Roundtable Information Book Award ( The Rumor ; The Wildlife 123 ). Two of her books, The Wildlife ABC and Over in the Meadow , have been handed out to nearly 100,000 kids across Canada as part of The Learning Partnership's national Welcome to Kindergarten program. She lives in Havelock, Ontario.
Ashley Barron moved to Toronto upon graduating from The Ontario College of Art and Design's illustration program in 2007. She lives and works as an illustrator from her studio near Kensington Market. She uses paper collage to illustrate just about everything for magazines, advertising, and animation. She illustrated the Math in Nature series for Owlkids Books. She is an avid gardener and lover of flora and fauna, the details of which can be found in her art.
Reviews (2)
School Library Journal Review
PreS-K-Kyle, a three-toed sloth, only has "to go" once a week, and that time is now. Kyle's mom decides that he is ready to leave the canopy of the big tree by himself for the first time. And while Kyle stops often, afraid he to be alone, each time he meets a new friend and is encouraged on his way. Once he is ready to head back up the tall tree, his proud mom is there to carry him. Young listeners will relate to Kyle's growing independence, and they will also meet several rainforest animals that all share a tree. The lush and gorgeous cut-paper collages introduce Kyle as well as a red-spectacled parrot, a green and yellow whip snake, a tiger-legged monkey tree frog, and leaf cutting ants. Simple notes on sloth behavior and camouflage are included at the end. VERDICT A nice choice to introduce young listeners to the rainforest and celebrate independence.-Laura Stanfield, Campbell County Public Library, Ft. Thomas, KY © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Imagine that you really, really have to go. Not fun, right? Then imagine you're a three-toed sloth, the slowest-moving mammal in the world, at the top of the rain-forest canopy, and you only go to the bathroom once a week on the forest floor! That's the gambit in Thornhill and Barron's picture book about Kyle the sloth's first solo bathroom break. In warm, colorful cut-paper collage, the story takes a creative approach to easing children into potty training and other firsts, with the support of loved ones along the way. As Kyle climbs all the way down his very tall tree all by himself, he gains encouragement to be brave from friendly animal neighbors, and readers are subtly introduced to camouflage: though Kyle thinks he's alone, his neighbors are actually right beside him, hidden in the colorful foliage and bark. Similarly, repeating dialogue nicely juxtaposes the rotating vertical and horizontal illustrations to further highlight sloths' interesting features. Those wishing to discover more will enjoy the fact-packed summary at the end of the story.--Miller, Annie Copyright 2016 Booklist