The Sofa Sloths is a superb children’s picture book written by Miriam Kay and illustrated with Jenny Dang. Some kids think that sitting in front of a screen or playing video games for hours on end is pretty cool. Sydney and Stanley were sloths who felt exactly the same way. They spent every waking hour on their couch, surrounded by snacks and watching the TV. After a while, however, they seemed to lose track of time and forget about important things until finally Stanley had a better idea. Maybe they should do something different? At first, they went at it slowly, as sloths are likely to do. They simply switched positions on their couch. But then Stanley jumped on a stool and spun around. It was fun! Sydney and Stanley began to notice their surroundings and became more active -- it was even more fun. Their lives gradually began to change.

A picture book for children, The Sofa Sloths, is a fun and alliterative fable about two silly sloths who discover how much fun they can have leading active lives instead of watching screens. The illustrations are priceless as they follow the initially befuddled sloths shaking off their screen-induced stupor and becoming more active. Each bold and brightly colored panel fits the story line perfectly as the sloths hike, discover nature and engage in sporting activities. Whoever knew that a story could be this entertaining, have so many good ideas, and contain so many words beginning with the letter “s”? Caregivers can have a field day with this book by brainstorming with their kids on activities, alliteration and making up their own stories. Why not a story concentrating on words beginning with the letter “t” or “m” or both? The possibilities are endless. While a grand selection for story time, this book is also a suitable primer for new readers to try on their own. The Sofa Sloths is most highly recommended.

Meet Sydney and Stanley, a pair of sloths who prefer to slouch on their couch all the time. From Monday to Sunday, they are glued to different screens while snacking on all kinds of unhealthy food. They have almost no idea of what is going on around them. Their house is dirty and food is getting spoilt all around them. One day, Stanley suggest an idea that will spark the beginning of their journey towards being aware of their surroundings and making better use of their time. As the plot in Miriam Kay’s The Sofa Sloths develops, Sydney and Stanley gradually discover new activities that are better than sitting on their couch the whole day. They are amazed at what they discover and they are astounded at what they have been missing out on.

The Sofa Sloths by Miriam Kay is colorful and it is full of compelling images that add to the story. The book is written in alliteration and the words form a wonderful rhythm which enhances reading, especially for young readers. Another important element in The Sofa Sloths is the characters whose eccentricities make the book unique. The idea of sloths as the main characters is comical and adds an interesting twist to the story line. Most importantly, the story seeks to deliver a powerful message. It encourages readers to venture out and try new activities and turn off their screens in a bid to enjoy nature and the environment around them. Some of these activities are included in the book. Most of them are simple and can be implemented by anyone. The Sofa Sloths by Miriam Kay contains an important message that is also practical.

One enters The Sofa Sloths by Miriam Kay and Jenny Dang at his or her own peril. Be advised: this book is conducive to making one speak in whistle-filled slurs or, worse, thinking in mental lisperation (my word.) With that necessary admonition, one might also endure a bit of shameful self-recognition upon first meeting the sofa sloths, Sydney and Stanley, a set of silly sloths sitting on a sofa. (You see my point?) Disinclined to foray forth further (I’ll try to skip the S’s, but additional alliteration seems unavoidable), this couple ends up bored and restless, and together they decide to seek out change. So, they switch places on the sofa. One big step for slothkind. This works out so well for their mutual dispositions, eventually they head outside where true adventure awaits them.

The Sofa Sloths is built upon a timely message for both youngsters and adults: Get off your lazy butts and go outside! The true delight, however, comes in the creative and deceptively silly but on-point manner in which Miriam Kay and Jenny Dang tell and illustrate their story/message. Sydney and Stanley project precisely the doe-eyed, somewhat clueless expression one expects from sloths, but also the shyly endearing innocence of a youngster’s occasional reluctance to plunge forward into life. In turn, the authentic happiness to be found by doing just that is clearly and undeniably revealed in their two unwavering slothy grins. If you happen to be acquainted with two such silly souls sitting sloppily separated sofa-ishly and selfishly, this perilous book is highly recommended specifically for them ... but yes, surely for you too.

In The Sofa Sloths by Miriam Kay, we are introduced to Sydney and Stanley, who are two very cute but lazy sloths. Their home needs cleaning, but they have spent so much time hanging out on the sofa, eating junk food, and staring at the screens of their cell phones, tablets, and the television that they have lost touch with physical activities that really matter. Yet, they do not realize what has happened to them. They are not really having fun or enjoying their lives because their daily routine is so narrow and does not change day after day, and will not change until they do something about it themselves. What will need to happen to make them discover a wonderful and necessary change in their lives?

Young readers will love The Sofa Sloths. The author, Miriam Kay, has written a book that will cleverly engage children’s attention in several fun ways. First, words beginning with the letter “s”, or even the “s” sound, are emphasized, making every sentence lively and fun to read out loud, as every good storybook should be. Second, the book is gorgeously illustrated. The pictures in their vivid colors enhance the experience for young readers. They are learning new words and discovering how to put them together. Also, they are learning the importance of spending time away from electronic devices, which have their place but should not be the center of their lives. There is a beautiful world outside, and this neat book will encourage children to have fun doing other activities.