The Slowest Book Ever

by April Pulley Sayre, Kelly Murphy (Illustrator)

Overview

"This is a S-L-O-W book. Do not read it while surfing, water skiing, or running to escape giant weasels..."

April Pulley Sayre's wry, quirky storytelling tone shines from the warning on the first page right through to the glossary at the end. In between, readers will explore an astounding variety of information about all things slow—in nature, geology, art, outer space, etc. Throughout, The SLOWEST Book EVER playfully encourages readers to slow down and savor everything. As Sayre shows: "If you think slowly enough, the entire world is amazing." This innovative nonfiction work is a treasure trove of information that begs for multiple readings.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781620917831
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	04/05/2016
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	6.31(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.72(d)
Lexile:	940L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

April Pulley Sayre is an award-winning author of over 55 natural history books for children and adults, including the popular Rah, Rah, Radishes!, Stars Beneath Your Bed (an ALA Notable Book), Eat Like a Bear (an ALA Notable Book), and Vulture View (a Geisel Honor book). Sayre and her husband live in South Bend, Indiana. Visit aprilsayre.com.

Kelly Murphy has illustrated numerous picture books and chapter books, including Face Bug, the New York Times Best Seller Masterpiece, and the Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist book series. She teaches at the Rhode Island School of Design and lives in Providence, Rhode Island.

Editorial Reviews

01/18/2016
For kids accustomed to a fast-moving world, this celebration of slowness may be just the ticket. Sayre (Woodpecker Wham!) explores the topic within the context of broad categories, making the focus not exclusively about slowness, per se, but about the invisible or unnoticed geological and biological processes constantly occurring around (and within) us. Two-color cartoons from Murphy (the Anton and Cecil series) dominate each spread as Sayre addresses slow-moving animals and slow-growing organisms, human processes such as breathing and sleep, the 2,000-year construction of the Great Wall of China, space exploration, and more. Presenting big concepts in an inviting, eye-catching format, Sayre leaves readers with the message that “if you think slowly enough, the entire world can be amazing.” Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Emily Mitchell, Wernick & Pratt Agency. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"Sayre beckons kids to investigate and ruminate on slow-moving animals, slow-growing plants, slow motion, and plenty more. She covers expected topics, such as the centuries-old sequoia tree, the land snail, and slow-forming geologic wonders like the Grand Canyon. But refreshing, often fleeting twists of topic, delivered with repeated exhortations for kids to slow down, ponder, and study, combine for a galloping volume that respects children as capable scientific thinkers. In loosely arranged sections, the author adopts a conversational style to both inform and amuse curious students.... engaging. And chewy!" — Kirkus Reviews

"Science and nature rub shoulders with pop culture and history in Sayre's ode to slowness.... The tone is humorous but never silly, and the facts are backed up with sources and more details in the endnotes. The light tone and engaging writing are perfectly complemented by the pen-and-ink drawings that accompany every entry, and the design invites lingering and sharing. Students will love picking up and carrying this volume around to read and think about in free moments." — School Library Journal

"In this age of fast food, fast cars, and fast technology, Sayre urges readers to slow down.... she presents unusual facts and commentary about some of the slowest creatures and phenomena on the planet and beyond.... accompanied by lively orange illustrations that keep readers awake, the author encourages children to take on a slower pace in life by being more observant, thoughtful, and creative.... Speed readers not welcome." — Booklist

"For kids accustomed to a fast-moving world, this celebration of slowness may be just the ticket....Presenting big concepts in an inviting, eye-catching format, Sayre leaves readers with the message that 'if you think slowly enough, the entire world can be amazing.'" – Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

02/01/2016
Gr 3–7—Science and nature rub shoulders with pop culture and history in Sayre's ode to slowness. Brief entries are loosely organized around topics such as plants, the body, and geology and describe the hows and whys. From Great Basin bristlecone pine trees that can live 3,200 years to television stations that show 12 uninterrupted hours of firewood burning, the examples that Sayre presents offer plenty of opportunity to readers to slow down, take a second look at things that might otherwise be overlooked, and think about some chewier topics, both big and small but always slow. The tone is humorous but never silly, and the facts are backed up with sources and more details in the endnotes. The light tone and engaging writing are perfectly complemented by the pen-and-ink drawings that accompany every entry, and the design invites lingering and sharing. VERDICT Students will love picking up and carrying this volume around to read and think about in free moments; a great addition for most libraries.—Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

School Library Journal

2016-02-02
Sayre beckons kids to investigate and ruminate on slow-moving animals, slow-growing plants, slow motion, and plenty more. In loosely arranged sections, the author adopts a conversational style to both inform and amuse curious students. She covers expected topics, such as the centuries-old sequoia tree, the land snail, and slow-forming geologic wonders like the Grand Canyon. But refreshing, often fleeting twists of topic, delivered with repeated exhortations for kids to slow down, ponder, and study, combine for a galloping volume that respects children as capable scientific thinkers. Sayre examines time's effect on natural materials, from the Statue of Liberty's copper to the erosion of gravestones. The origins of the air and water that compose human bodies get a look, as does the biology of intentionally slow practices such as tai chi and yoga. The concept of "slow" in art and culture—evidenced in the slow-food movement, the art of bonsai, and John Cage's composition "As Slow as Possible" (which will last about 639 years)—is playfully introduced. Current scientists and their work are interwoven. Murphy's cartoonish illustrations provide more humor than elucidation. The whole shebang winds up in outer space, where Sayre introduces concepts like light-years and dark matter and calls on kids to think "big, slow, chewy thoughts" about the expanding universe. Anecdotal, loopily organized, but engaging. And chewy! (glossary, acknowledgments, endnotes with resources, index) (Nonfiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews