Sloth & Squirrel in a Pickle

Sloth & Squirrel in a Pickle is a quick paced picture book following a sloth and squirrel’s attempts to earn money in order to buy a bike. The story begins with Squirrel and Sloth sitting on a tree branch where, from up high, they see a bear and a rabbit enjoying a ride on a tandem bicycle. Squirrel decides that he and Sloth should also get a bike. When they find out that a bike costs a lot of money Sloth points out a Help Wanted sign which leads them to a job packing pickles. Sloth and Squirrel’s animal characteristics are highlighted as they divide their tasks in order to pack all the pickles into jars. Squirrel works quickly packing the pickles in jars with lids and tells slow moving Sloth to add labels to the jars.

The workplace antics of Sloth and Squirrel lead them to turning their messy job into something positive from which they can earn a profit. The amusing and nonsensical story is set in a community of anthropomorphic animals living, working, socializing, and playing together. Apart from the aforementioned animals, there is also Mr. Peacock who runs the pickle packing plant. He is not impressed by the job Sloth and Squirrel do and fires them. He also gives them the six hundred and seventy-seven jars of pickles they packed with upside down labels. The pair end up turning the pickles into pickle pops that many different animals buy and enjoy. Further animals in their community include foxes, pigs, horses, bears, ducks, and goats.

Sloth & Squirrel in a Pickle is an animated and silly story that will entertain young readers. Cathy Ballou Mealey’s words and Kelly Collier’s illustrations work together and keep the action in the story moving at a quick pace. Young audiences will find the resourcefulness of Sloth and Squirrel amusing and learn that sometimes mistakes can be turned into something positive.