Horn Book Review
A young girl wants a pet, but what kind? Her mother okays any critter that "doesn't need to be walked or bathed or fed," so the girl outwits her with a sloth. The sad-eyed mammal she names Sparky arrives by "Express Mail" in a box, holes cut out for the head, arms, and legs. But the girl's excitement turns to disappointment as reality sets in: "It was two days before I saw him awake." She tries to teach Sparky to play hide-and-seek, to roll over, to fetch: nothing. After a misguided pseudo-talent show (the "Trained Sloth Extravaganza") is a bust, the girl accepts that, while Sparky is no whirling dervish, he is an endearing companion. Animator Appelhans makes an auspicious picture book debut with strikingly beautiful watercolor and pencil illustrations. His style, reminiscent of Jon Klassen's, incorporates a muted color palette of pinks, browns, and green-blues, but with a slightly softer, rounder quality, while also weaving in visual deadpan humor (the sloth is a brilliant straight man). However, the text doesn't feel completely fleshed out, leaving the pictures to do too much of the heavy lifting. For instance, one of the story's recurring themes -- the importance of honoring a commitment -- feels underdeveloped, leaving the final, visually gorgeous sunset spread of girl and sloth somewhat lacking in impact. Even so, this lovably lazy pet will fast win his way into readers' hearts. sam bloom (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Quietly dry humor marks this story about a most unusual pet. An unassuming girl looks straight out at readers and explains her desire for a pet. She's not fussy, but she can't make it happen: "My mother said no to the bird. / No to the bunny. / No, no, no to the trained seal." Finally her mother consentssort of: She agrees to any pet "as long as it doesn't need to be walked or bathed or fed." After some library research, "[m]y sloth arrived by Express Mail." Here it gets really funny. The girl waits two days, standing in moonlight and rain next to Sparky's backyard tree, before he even awakens. She teaches him games: "We played King of the Mountain / and I won. // We played Hide-and-Seek / and I won." Sparky never moves a muscle. Sitting on the grass, he's stock-still; on his tree branch, he lies motionless (atop the branch, inexplicably but adorably, not hanging down in sloth fashion). Even his expression's comically immobile. Training sessions and a performance proceedumat Sparky's pace, but a beautiful closing illustration of girl and sloth together on his branch shows how close they've grown. Appelhans uses blue and pinky-brown watercolors and pencil on creamy background to create understated humor and affection with a light touch. A serene, funny addition to the new-pet genre. (Picture book. 3-6)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
