Plodney Creeper, Supersloth. (Blue Bananas). Jane Clarke. Illustrated by Cathy Gale. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2006. 48 pp., pbk. & cl., $7.16 (pbk.), $18.36 (RLB). ISBN 0-7787-0896-9 (pbk.), ISBN 0-7787-0850-0 (RLB). Subject Headings: Sloths-Juvenile fiction. Individuality-Juvenile fiction. Grades 1-2 / Ages 6-7. Review by Ruth Scales McMahon. ** /4

excerpt:

On the branch above her, Plodney stopped swinging. He held his breath. 

"A bit what, dear?" Mrs. Clinger asked. 

Mrs. Creeper lowered her voice.

"A bit fast."

"Fast? Dearie me!" Mrs. Clinger said.
"A sloth should never be fast!"

"If only Plodney was as slow as Layzee," Mrs. Creeper sighed. "Look at her lovely green hair. Only the slowest sloths have green hair"

Plodney is fast, and he should be slow. This contradiction causes gossip and difficulties for Plodney at school. He does have his champions. Miss Snailspace, for example, calls Plodney a super sloth. Plodney overhears her comment and thinks he is a 'supersloth.' One day during a thunderstorm, Plodney, braced with the notion he is a 'supersloth,' uses his speed to save his school mates from certain disaster after their school branch is hit by lightning, and he subsequently saves Layzee from the jaws of the jaguar.

     The superhero aspect of this story made it a big hit at our house. The plays on words for the most part needed to be explained. The text was easy for our seven-year-old to read, but long to read all in one go - some chapter breaks would make the read alone task easier. As the adult reading it aloud, it was sometimes confusing as to who was speaking.

     This title is part of the “Blue Bananas” series originally published in the UK by Egmont Children's Books (2001). It is similar to “The Flying Foxes Series” also distributed by Crabtree.

     Plodney Creeper, Supersloth would be an acceptable addition to a library collection, best in paper, if there are additional funds. Best to stick with the classics such as Amelia Bedelia, Nate the Great and yes even Captain Underpants.

Recommended with reservations

Alberta’s Ruth Scales McMahon is a professional children's librarian, the co-chair of the Rocky Mountain Book Award and the mother of two young children.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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