Theodore, The Sloth Who Wants to Race by J.L. McCreedy follows a determined tree inhabitant on a race. This rhyming book features illustrations and text about Theodore and his forest friends.

The rhyming style is similar to the one in Giraffes Can't Dance, a fantastic novel (I highly recommend reading it if you're looking for an incredible rhyming story about animals in the jungle). However, in McCreedy's book, the rhyming sometimes feels less organic and more forced.

For a children's book, McCreedy includes a fair amount of text. Children aged 2-4 would be the most captivated by a story like this; however, some pages include 3 paragraphs. Usually, children get bored of being on the same page since they gravitate toward new pictures appearing relatively quickly. Most pages are also very busy.

Additionally, while the colors of the images are bright, something about the graphics seems a bit off. I don't love the art style; it's a bit cartoony and primitive.

I'd love this book if:

-the rhyming was more engaging and organic
-there was less text
-the images were more modern

There is likely an audience out there who will appreciate the style of the prose and imagery of Theodore, The Sloth Who Wants to Race.

Thank you to Victory Editing, NetGalley, and J.L. Mcreedy for the ARC.

A super cute children’s book! The colors and pictures were so vibrant and interesting to look at. The story line was fun and exciting as you’re rooting for Theodore and his friend. I can’t wait to read this story with little nieces and nephews when it gets published

I LOVED this book. It is a fantastic picture book in perfect verse that tackles determination, adversity, and friendship. Theo is a great main character. I loved the illustrations as well as the great rhyme. Plus the index of fun facts and super words in the back make it a great lesson book. Will be looking into buying it for my library!

A fun book about Theodore the sloth who wants to compete in a race and win for once, which is not easy when you’re one of the slowest animals on the planet. It’s a very colorful book and I liked that most of the text rhymes. The language might be a bit challenging sometimes for a smaller child but I think this is a book that is perfect to read together with your child when they’re younger and then when they’re older they can read it themselves thanks to a glossary at the end. The information about sloths in the end were really interesting and a great way to make the story very educational.
I personally would have preferred a different color scheme and a different drawing-style, hence the 4-stars.

Delicately and delightfully illustrated, this picture-and-text book for young children gently and subtly promotes the concept of staying true to your dreams. Stay true, no matter that others, including your own people, decry. Stay true. Anything can be possible!

I liked the idea behind this book and I do love a Sloth too but this book wasn't one for me, the writing style was ok but I didn't gel with the story and it didn't stand out for me amongst the other Children's books that are available in this genre. I didn't really like the illustrations for the book either.

It is 3 stars from me for this one - just wasn't one for me

How could you not fall in love with a two toed sloth that wants to race? Theodore for the win! Adorable picture book with a great message that anyone can achieve this goals.