Set Your Alarm, Sloth! More Advice for Troubled Animals from Dr. Glider

Dr. Sugar Glider, the palm-sized possum with pointy ears who made house calls to animals with troubles in Eat Your Rocks, Croc!, dispenses more sage and scientifically sound advice in Set Your Alarm, Sloth!.

As in the previous title, each double-page spread showcases a different patient and its particular problem. Speech bubbles relay the pithy and pun-filled conversations. Creatures, big and small from all parts of the world, are aided by this marvelous marsupial MD. Monty Marine Iguana, from Floreana, Galapagos Islands, can’t stop sneezing and wonders if he has allergies. Dr. Glider puts Monty’s worries to rest by declaring he is actually in tiptop shape: “Fear not, my sea-faring friend! You aren’t sick at all. Those startling sneezes are keeping you healthy.” Sidebars provide the science behind the diagnosis, offering information on marine iguanas’ special glands that remove excess salt from their blood.

Dr. Glider has an amiable bedside manner. Clint Clownfish, from Great Barrier Reef, Australia, seeks guidance when his beloved queen fish disappears, leaving his school in chaos. The doc offers condolences and words of encouragement: “I’m sorry for your loss, Clint, but it’s your time to shine! Take charge!” Sidebars explain how the highest-ranking male fish will transform to female when the dominant fish dies.

There’s no quandary that Dr. Glider can’t quell. Chris and Liam, the Satin Bowerbirds from Sydney, Australia, have a nest decorating dispute. Glider smooths the ruffled feathers with a Dr. Phil-like intervention: “I told you boys before! All this chatter doesn’t matter! Red or blue, do what’s best for you!” Lovelorn Walt, the Great Egret in Padang, Sumatra, also gets some wooing advice, and the bird’s beautiful plumage and extra adornments are on display in the sidebars.

In total, 15 animals are examined, and other patients include a whale who wonders if she needs glasses, a zebra who is bugged by flies, a crab whose belly makes sounds, a snow leopard with a cold nose, a sloth who is turning green, and a flying snake who is exhausted.

Pete Oswald’s digital cartoon illustrations are full of witty aplomb. The doctor changes outfits to suit each locale, from donning scuba gear to a pith helmet. A labelled snapshot gallery of Dr. Glider’s patients is included at the end.

Jess Keating, award-winning author, illustrator and zoologist, expertly blends humour with fascinating animal facts. The episodic cases are captivating and packed with information. A glossary of “Words to the Rescue” explains terminology, such as “adaptation: a process of changing over time, to better fit into one’s environment”; “echolocation: a process of using sound waves to locate objects”; and “pelagic: relating to the open sea or ocean”.

Here’s a prescription for education and entertainment: pick up a copy of Set Your Alarm, Sloth!