Lately (and I have probably mentioned this before), I am finding books that I think are not the books for me so I pass them by without giving them a huge chance. I did this with Sloth & Moth: A Better-Together Friendship by Helen Taylor and illustrated by Gavin Scott. It was not because it was an online reader copy (the book is due mid April 2026) or even the cover was not grabbing me. I just was not in the mood to read another Frog & Toad or Piggie & Elephant like story. Or two besties who are not always “in sync” with each other and it causes over the top silliness that borders on ridiculousness.
But of course, don’t judge books by the cover as I was doing. It was an odd couple friendship story, but there was more to it. There are actual facts behind why a moth and sloth would be friends and not just for the rhyme. This is a real natural occurrence for the three-toed sloth to have moth buddies. We see Sloth realizing that Moth is a good friend but they need time alone. And they take the opportunity to go and find alone time. They have a nice time, but realize Moth might miss them, too. And of course, things all work together in the end.
The story is nice, but the addition of the facts at the end allow not only you to learn why a moth and sloth could be friends, but adapts it to multiple ages as the story is for the younger (stronger listeners 3 or 4). I had not realized some of the information (like if you know two-toed sloths are in the area, have an umbrella and DON’T look up) and I loved that they talk about having to do “their business” (sloth) in an amusing way, yet you know what is happening. The illustrations are part of this combining the story and fact with cute images that are not over the top, but not lacking either. They help keep things interesting, bright and you can read them to get some information that you won’t from the story itself.