A speedy sloth Christmas by Rebecca Young & Heath McKenzie

On Christmas Eve, the Sloth family is waiting in their brightly festooned festive tree, wrapping their presents and making gingerbread sloths to share. Spike and Dash are asleep on the treetop, when they hear a loud noise. The sleigh has crashed, Santa is asleep in the back, while an elf has been driving the sleigh, hence the accident. Spike decides to help, even though she is slow, and takes them all down to a speedboat, and from this vehicle, they race around the bay, distributing presents as they go.

Sneakers are given to the cheetah, while the giraffe is given a very long scarf, the snail is given a skateboard, and the elephant, a shiny new scooter.

The sleigh once repaired goes on its way, the crew transferring from the speedboat. All the people who helped are deeply thanked, and Santa wakes the next morning, wondering what all the fuss has been about.  

A delightful story about Christmas and present giving will have wide appeal. The sloth characters will excite interest in these odd creatures, and the presents given to each animal, a cause for a time to stop and ponder the appropriateness of each gift.

Vivacious digital illustrations will entreat younger readers, as they look over the animals and how they are presented. Humour abounds in the text and the illustrations, making it a great book to read and share.

Themes: Christmas, Sloths, Animals, Gifts, Adventure.

Fran Knight