Fun to read aloud, can play with reading speed to emphasize concepts. ( )

A child rushes - to get up out of bed, to get down the stairs, to get to school - until they reach the top of a hill and the whole double-page spread yells "STOP." The frenetic pace slows as the child and their dog "slow things down." Simple, rhyming text doesn't offer any how, exactly, but shows what slowing down might look like and why it's valuable. ( )

I love Neal's illustrations in Kate Messner's books so I was predisposed to like this, even though it doesn't have much of a storyline.

A child with brown skin, flyaway dark hair, jean shorts and yellow sweater, is always hurrying. Hurrying in the morning, hurrying to school, "Hurry here. Hurry there. Hurry, scurry everywhere!" When they get home, they have to hurry through their homework, hurry to take their dog out for a walk, and finally, there is a full-spread page with a giant STOP emblazoned on it, just as they reach the hill.

Out in the meadow, with just their dog for company, the child can finally "Slow things down." There is nature to be observed, games to play, and quiet rituals. The child's afternoon in the open ends with counting stars and a quiet walk home in the dark, then peacefully to sleep.

The story ends with "Dreams and lazy days ahead." implying that it's summer vacation perhaps, but there's a hope that this is the child's stand against the hectic life they are leading, demanding time to stop, take a step back, reflect and just be. Neal's art captures the freedom and refreshment of the child's hours in nature and their solo expeditions exploring around them, freed from the hurried race of their daily life. One note of interest - the child's gender is never mentioned and the reviews I read followed that choice, but the publisher's description defaults to, naturally, a boy. Interesting. Their classroom is shown as diverse, with children, sometimes literally it seems, flying across the room in their rush.

Verdict: I don't see this one being a particular hit in storytime, or as a classroom read-aloud. It's more something that caregivers might savor with a child before bed, or perhaps read and appreciate for themselves. I will add this to the mindfulness books I've been purchasing at the request of teachers recently.

ISBN: 9781534424975; Published May 2020 by Simon and Schuster; F&G provided by publisher

Life's super speed takes a well, needed break in this very relatable tale.

Get up, run to the bus, hurry to class... The day goes on and on, faster and faster as this child does its best to make it through the day. But after the work is done, life flips and maybe, doesn't have to be as fast as thought.

Almost every child will relate to this book. From the minute morning starts, the day hurries by as the school routine takes over. The constant hectic to do everything, which is expected is brought across very clearly. The kid in these pages rushes to and fro in the exact same way most listeners do themselves. When everything switches gear and slows down, listeners will again identify with the fun play and relaxation bring. The difference between fast and slow is obvious, and the message behind it too.

The illustrations bring across the hectic motion, set familiar scenes and add a tiny, dash of light-heartedness, too. But there's also the sense of empathy. It's a sweet picture book, which encourages listeners to take a break every now and then because these are just as important as the constant hurrying about.

I received an ARC and found this to be a book many kids can identify with. ( )