Slow Samson

Samson is always late to parties. Samson, a sloth, can never reach a party before it ends. Poor Samson! His animal friends recline on the forest floor, satiated, all partied out. There's not even any leftover cake. Is it Samson's thoughtfulness that makes him slow? After all, en route, he talks to a tree frog, mediates a monkey argument, and rights a toppled tortoise. Next time, to determine whether helpfulness is slowing him down, he ignores all those pals (who, amusingly, have the exact same needs as last time). He still misses the party! Alas, his slowness seems unchangeable. Samson sobs. His friends hatch a plan, and while some proposals seem flawed--you can't control balloons; sloths can't stand, so roller skates are out--one might work. Christou's animals are friendly and appealing, with cartoony eyes that don't match Samson's lovely, loose-handed fur or the occasional pink background washes. Much here is mildly slippery or mismatched: Initially, there's a distinction between Samson's friends and the animals he helps, then ¬ initially, he's slow specifically because he's kind, then ¬ and this copiously airy climate with white and pink backgrounds, ample fields and clearings, and expanses of short grass is supposedly a rainforest. No matter--this a pleasant story with a solution that, while it only works as a one-off, is clever and does the trick. Not a requirement but plenty amiable. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.