The illustrations in this book are beautiful. The idea of teaching kids mindfulness is there but we thought there were better opportunities for Mr. Sloth to teach mindfulness outside of a race. It appears there was some sort of connection to the “Tortoise and the Hare” fable at play with the slow/fast concept and the race but are not really sure the message comes across in the best way.

Sometimes, I find books about mindfulness for young children are a little complicated or not very engaging to very young readers. Mindful Mr Sloth is a perfect introduction to mindfulness for young readers. It has engaging characters and young children will identify with Sasha as she rushes through life. Mr Sloth and his slow ways, irritate Sasha but she soon learns that slowing down can be fun too. The illustrations are vibrant and draw you into the text. I think my preschool class will love this book and explaining mindfulness through the eyes of Sloth is developmentally appropriate for young children. Thank you for writing a book that is both engaging and simple.

Nice message for the kiddos to slow down and savor each moment; instead of rushing around like a tornado, as they are apt to do. I liked Mr. Sloth and Sasha, and the illustrations were pretty good as well.

I loved everything about this book from the main character being black, a sloth being her best friend, the anti bias background characters and the over all theme of patience. Im an adult and i connected with this book in more ways than one and i can see myself in thish story. Absolutely beautiful

Thank you NetGalley and Capstone Editions for a copy of "Mindful Mr. Sloth" in exchange for my honest review.

This book is absolutely delightful. Mr. Sloth is an adorable character. The book was written for ages 4 to 8 but I think it would make a wonderful read-a-loud for younger children because of the colourful pictures and Mr. Sloth is sure to be a popular character.

Sasha only has one speed - fast and she spends a few seconds at every activity she does. Words like: "raced, trampled, frantic and whipped" are used to describe how Sasha does her activities. Mr. Sloth loves to do things at a nice and easy pace. Mr. Sloth sets out to teach Sasha to slow down and enjoy life.

When Mr. Sloth and Sasha meet, he tries to explain to her that he has fallen from his branch during his morning nap but Sasha is too impatient to listen to him. When they play doctor, Mr. Sloth takes too long to find a heart beat. When they build a rocket, he takes too long with the sticky tape. When they paint Sasha does four paintings while Mr. Sloth puts on his apron.

Sasha feels that she is the fastest in the neighbourhood. They take off on a race. Mr. Sloth wants to stop and listen to birds sing, Sasha says that the chirping is nice but she needs to win a race. Mr. Sloth wants to stop to smell flowers, Sasha admits that they smell nice and starts to wonder why she never has noticed before. Mr. Sloth wants to show Sash the stillness, the breeze and a butterfly.

They learn that they are the very best friends even if they have two speeds - fast and slow. At bedtime Mr. Sloth takes so long to read the words that Sasha learns to appreciate and enjoy the pictures in the book.

This book teaches Mindfulness: being present in the moment; Focus: on where you are, what you are doing; Stop; Relax; Think: about your breathing; Use Your Senses: to notice the world around you.

My Thoughts
I feel like there are a lot of children’s books featuring sloths lately. I reviewed a different one recently and I have another one to review after this one. That is okay though because sloths are awesome! Here are my pros and cons for Mindful Mr. Sloth:

Pros
1. This book is about encouraging children to slow down and enjoy themselves more rather than racing around all the time. That might be a hard sell for energetic kids, but if anyone can encourage mindfulness, it is a sloth.
2. Illustrations (by the author) are awesome! They really enhance the story.
3. The sloth is adorable and super patient. My favorite scene is when Sasha decides to play doctor and the sloth is the patient. Hilarious!
4. I appreciated that while the book encouraged kids to slow down, take deep breaths, and to enjoy the things around them (flowers, smells, butterflies, etc.), it also didn’t discourage them from being crazy, energetic and fast sometimes either. The story promotes balance and that is what is important to learn… for kids and adults.

Cons
None.

Summary
This book is adorable and reminds children they can be crazy and silly and fast when appropriate, but it also encourages them to stop to watch the butterflies, smell the roses, and listen to the chirping birds from time to time as well. Great advice to all of us.

Thank you NetGalley and Capstone Editions for providing an ebook, which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I know a few kids just like Sasha, the determined child, who relates to the world physically and is always active. Along comes Mr. Sloth to slow her down and help her to stop and smell the flowers and check out a butterfly...during a race. Perhaps an inopportune time to stop, but that is the message, no matter what you are doing, be present.
I love the idea of sloth story time, luxuriating over words and pictures in books while snuggled up before bed, That is the time to go slow and to slow down those active children in preparation for bedtime, and this book would be a great one to do it with.

I loved how this book teaches everyone, especially children, how to be mindful of our actions and the things that we do. And I loved how that is shown in this one. The illustrations are very colorful and beautiful to look at as well.

I absolutely love the illustrations in this children's book, they are whimsical and playful and call for you to continue reading. Sasha is a very fast paced and active child... until she meets a sloth atop her treehouse. He encourages her to slow down and enjoy the small things, like the sound of birds singing and the smell of flowers and the pleasure of just being still. This is overall a sweet book that introduces children to concepts of mindfulness and relaxation.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Capstone for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is a beautifully illustrated children's book. Sasha and Mr. Sloth have a unique relationship. She finally agrees to slow down a little. This is a fun book that I believe that children will love. 4.5 stars

I enjoyed the overall message of this book, but there could have been more nuance to the explanation of mindfulness. It didn't seem realistic to me that Sasha would suddenly stop trying to win a race. There's a time and place for mindfulness, but there's also nothing wrong with trying to win a race. I did love the the friendship that develops between Sasha and Mr. Sloth and the illustrations are beautiful.

Without a doubt, this is my favourite young audience book that I’ve read so far this year. Not only because of its mindfulness message but because I think most of us, adults especially, can identify with the rush of modern life. The illustrations and characters are wonderful. I enjoyed reading all the little notes by Sasha in the illustrations, there’s so much detail I hope this book’s readers really do slow down and enjoy the ride! 5/5 stars from me. I would open this one again and again.

Such a warm book about mindfulness without being preachy whatsoever.
Loved the illustrations and the friendship between little girl and sloth.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley and the publishers.
Mindful Mr. Sloth is a darling children’s picture book that focuses on a friendship between Sasha, a little girl who is in constant movement, and Mr. Sloth. As we know, sloths move very slowly, and for this reason, Mr. Sloth notices more and enjoys life and the things around him. The relationship between Mr. Sloth and Sasha is an unlikely one, but it works. Sasha learns mindfulness, and the story encourages children to be present in the moment.
The illustrations are beautiful, and you can’t help but to smile at the antics of Sasha and Mr. Sloth. This is a great book for children, but it is a wonderful lesson to be learned by all. I would definitely add this book to a child’s library.

Sasha does everything fast. She loved doing lots of things all at the same time and never spent long one just one. When she finds a new friend in Mr. Sloth, Sasha gets frustrated that he's never fast enough, but when he interrupts her speed in the middle of the neighborhood race to hear birds singing, to smell flowers, and to recognize the tiny breeze Sasha realizes that there is beauty in both speeds - fast and slow.

This is a great book to teach empathy and mindfulness to children who may need to look at enjoying things from a different pace. The illustrations are playful and demonstrate different aspects of recognizing moments of beauty in the everyday.

So at first I felt bad for Mr Sloth. He was ripped from his tree and she would not listen to him. However. In the end I loved their friendship and I loved how mr sloth taught her to slow down and enjoy the small things. My kids need this message...

Mindful Mr. Sloth is a wonderful story for homes and classrooms. I love the storyline and how Mr. Sloth is never quick enough for Sasha, but through their journey, he shows her that sometimes slowing down is best. A perfect story with adorable illustrations to enjoy in our fast-paced world. I look forward to purchasing it for my classroom.

Details on first page, so amazing and cheeky. Made me smile even before I started the story. It is one of my favourite things when illustrations capture the essence of the story and enhances it visually. Katy Hudson is a very talented writer and illustrator, you feel her passion in every word and in every illustration.

A Loud Winter’s Nap is usually the last book we read before winter break to inspire children to remain active. I am so excited that Mindful Mr. Sloth is coming out in August. I AM Sasha, I always seem to have a thousand things on the go. Most of our children usually run on Sasha’s speed – fast!

This book did a wonderful job inviting children to take a moment and use their senses to connect with what they are doing at the moment. It gives great ideas about how to approach mindfulness with children and it highlights that mindfulness is a very important skill and essential for mental health. This is the perfect book for children and for adults, like myself, who need reminders that it’s okay to slow down and practice self-care.
Looking forward to sharing this with our children in September! (No classes in August!)

Thank you, Katy Hudson, Capstone and NetGalley for the privilege of reading Mindful and providing my honest review of Mr. Sloth in advance of its release.

#MindfulMrSloth #NetGalley

Sasha is a girl who likes to GO GO GO, and one day she befriends a Sloth who takes 5 minutes to even spell GO. Through this friendship, Sasha learns to slow down and have a more balanced lifestyle. The illustrations are just beautiful and the message so sweet.

Maybe you know a kiddo that knows one speed. Fast and more fast. Always wanting to get the next thing done to do the next thing. Sasha learns a valuable lesson from Mr. Sloth, slow and steady does not always mean win the race but it does mean you can enjoy life. That includes people, places, and all the good things we see.

This beautiful illustrated picture book will bring a smile to all that read it. Sasha and Mr. Sloth make a great pair. On a side note, don't hate Sloth because he is Mr. Don't do him in like they did to Mr. Potato Head. Just don't.

A special thank you to Capstone and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest revie