(2) PS Readers meet high-energy Sasha Patience Prudence, who races through her days accomplishing as many activities as possible and leaving a trail of books, musical instruments, and toys in her wake. "She loved to do lots of things, all at once. She had one speed—fast." Then Mr. Sloth tumbles from a tree branch into her life. Though Sasha means to have slow Mr. Sloth as her new best friend, their different approaches present challenges. Undaunted, Sasha keeps pushing Mr. Sloth into activities, including the neighborhood race. Cartoony illustrations capture the comedy as the pair rushes along, Sasha's expression of heightened concentration juxtaposed with Mr. Sloth's solemn features and reactive eyes. During the race, Mr. Sloth (who rides up front in the bicycle basket) insists, repeatedly, that Sasha stop--to hear the birds, to smell the flowers, to be still--and with every stop they lag farther behind, until she loses interest in the race altogether. Thus these two really do become friends and find a balance between them, approaching their days with a varied pace but always slowing down each night for snuggles and stories. And in case anyone hurries through the story too quickly to absorb what Sasha learns from Mr. Sloth, the book concludes with a more pointed list of mindfulness tips.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2021

(3) PS Chick is not pleased about babysitting the egg containing his brother-to-be. Nevertheless, when feet crack through and the egg dashes away, Chick chases it around the farm and saves his delicate little bro from a large, grumpy bull. Hudson's painterly illustrations make the most of the suspense and the comedy in this amusing twist on the initiation-to-big-brotherhood story.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 The animal friends from Too Many Carrots return; this time, winter-averse Tortoise tries different sleeping spots, each time disturbed by noise. When Tortoise mistakenly tries to nap on a sled until spring, he finds his unexpected ride enjoyable and changes his outlook on the season--much to his non-hibernating friends' delight. Cool, saturated hues and plentiful white space evoke the cozy story's snowy setting.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(4) K-3 When Rabbit's collection of carrots crowds him out of his burrow, he turns to one animal friend after another, ruining each of their homes by insisting he and his carrots can fit. Humorous illustrations show carrots spilling out of openings and cuddly little creatures tumbling and crashing. Though Rabbit finally learns his lesson, readers may wonder why it took so long.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(4) PS A bear who doesn't want to be a bear follows some ducks, hoping to become a duck. He almost gets there, but in the end realizes being a bear is okay, too. It's a little contrived (why does he decide to climb that tree, thus proving his bear-ness?) but still entertaining. Pastoral ink and watercolor illustrations show the hopeful creature in over his head.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz