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Cathy Ballou Mealey
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Sloth and Squirrel in a Pickle Hardcover – Picture Book, May 4, 2021

by Cathy Ballou Mealey (Author), Kelly Collier (Illustrator)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 53 ratings
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A speedy squirrel and a sleepy sloth try to get the job done in this funny, heartwarming tale of two lovable, but unlikely, friends.

Though Sloth and Squirrel are good friends, they have different ways of doing things — and different speeds of doing them. So, when Squirrel gets them jobs as pickle packers to earn money for a new bike, things don’t go according to plan. It seems that the contrasting skill sets of a fast-as-lightening squirrel and a slow-as-molasses sloth can make for a mess of an outcome, and before long, the friends are shown the pickle factory’s door, along with the 677 1/2 jars of pickles they packed incorrectly! Now the pair are bicycle-less, with only pickles to show for themselves. Or so they think — until the resourceful pair come up with an ingenious plan!

This delightful story from Cathy Ballou Mealey is a celebration of friendships of all kinds and a testament to ingenuity and hard work. Packed with funny details that aren’t in the text, Kelly Collier’s engaging illustrations are full of personality and silly, emotionally expressive humor. Together they create a hilarious picture book that’s perfect for a fun and lively read-aloud. At the same time, the positive themes in the book highlight a growth mindset and character education lessons on teamwork, perseverance and initiative.

Previous page
  1. Reading age
    3 - 7 years
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 2
  5. Lexile measure
    AD510L
  6. Dimensions
    9.35 x 0.5 x 10.35 inches
  7. Publisher
    Kids Can Press
  8. Publication date
    May 4, 2021
  9. ISBN-10
    1525302388
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1525302381
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Sure to tickle more than a few ribs.―Kirkus Reviews

Young audiences will find the resourcefulness of Sloth and Squirrel amusing and learn that sometimes mistakes can be turned into something positive.―CM Magazine

About the Author

Cathy Ballou Mealey is a former college administrator and instructor. She volunteers in schools and organizations supporting children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. She has degrees in psychology, classical studies and higher education administration. She is also the author of When a Tree Grows, published by Sterling in 2019. She lives north of Boston with her family.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kids Can Press; Illustrated edition (May 4, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1525302388
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1525302381
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD510L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 2
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.35 x 0.5 x 10.35 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 53 ratings

About the author

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Cathy Ballou Mealey

Cathy Ballou Mealey

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Cathy writes picture books filled with heart and humor for readers of all ages.

MAKE MORE S'MORES was published by Sleeping Bear Books in 2023

SLOTH & SQUIRREL IN A PICKLE was published in 2021 by Kids Can Press

WHEN A TREE GROWS was released by Union Square/ Sterling Books in 2019

A former college instructor and administrator, Cathy holds a B.A. in Psychobiology and Classical Studies from Wellesley College and an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

She shares bookish things at https://cathyballoumealey.wixsite.com/author

Her work is repped by Liza Fleissig at Liza Royce Agency

Follow Cathy on Twitter or Instagram @catballoumealey

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
53 global ratings
DILL-ightful!
5 Stars
DILL-ightful!
Sloth and Squirrel devise a money-earning plan to buy a bicycle built for two. But this leads to a jarring experience after the plan goes sour. Sloth’s ingenuity saves the day and the story ends in an unexpected and DILL-lightful way. Packed with alliteration, the unlikely duo’s silliness along with the picklicious illustrations will charm readers and listeners.
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Top reviews from the United States

Stories by Storie
5.0 out of 5 stars A Winning Combination of Humor, Teamwork, and Ingenuity
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2023
Verified Purchase
Sloth & Squirrel are verrrrrry different, but they both think riding a bike could be a lot of fun. Since bikes cost a lot of money, they decide to get jobs as pickle packers. Unfortunately, packing slippery pickles is harder than they thought. ⁣
⁣
Speedy Squirrel comes up with a plan - he will pack and add the lids while sleepy Sloth only needs to attach the labels. After packing over 600 jars, the supervisor realizes all of the labels are upside down and the two animals are fired!⁣
⁣
To cheer up his friend, Sloth uses his money to buy them both a treat…which leads to a surprising and profitable business idea. Looks like they’ll get to ride that bike together after all!⁣
⁣
This humorous story features two lovable, but unlikely friends in a story about teamwork, determination, ingenuity, and of course, pickles!⁣
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Homemaker Linda
5.0 out of 5 stars I love books
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2024
Verified Purchase
My local library has a path outside. Along the path are signs each with a page of the book. That is what prompted me to buy it. It is a wonderful story which I plan to read to some children and give to my great niece and nephew for their birthdays.
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AugustaE
5.0 out of 5 stars funny, fulfilling friendship story
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book is a ton of fun! The two friends, Squirrel and Sloth, complement each other in every way and respect each other's strengths. The humor is wonderful throughout, from the concept to the word choices and occasional tongue twister to the artwork. Some of the funniest art is in the scene in the boss's office - a pickle phone! And the squirrel wearing a hairnet made me laugh out loud. Readers will love the funny little stories going on in the illustrations. The friendship of Sloth and Squirrel stays strong despite the failure at the pickle factory (one of the funniest reasons for a fail ever), and in the end, both friends contribute to a solution to their quandary. A funny, fulfilling tale of friendship and persistence!
One person found this helpful
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maryk
4.0 out of 5 stars good quality
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2022
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The illustrations are cute, the story teaches children to think past their problem and to win over the problem.
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PJ Pleasants
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book to read with your young one!
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2021
Verified Purchase
Marley's 2nd book is another home run! Lessons about difference, goals, teamwork and friendship. So much here depending on the age of the reader. A great book to spark conversation with the young reader. Thanks Ms. Mealey, your books are wonderful ways to launch conversations with young readers.
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coolperson
5.0 out of 5 stars My new favorite picture book
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2021
Verified Purchase
I love these two unlikely friends! This book had me laughing from beginning to end. With absolutely perfect illustrations (I literally want to go back and look at the sloth and squirrel again right after we are done reading it), fabulous tongue twisters, and an unexpected twist at the end, Sloth and Squirrel in a Pickle should be on everyones reading list! It is definitely a big "dill!"
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Newman
5.0 out of 5 stars DILL-LIGHTFUL & PICKLE-TAS-TIC!
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2021
Verified Purchase
Sloth and Squirrel have a problem. They want a bike but have no money. So, they decide to get jobs packing pickles. Well, well, well . . . let's just say packing pickles puts them in a bit of a pickle. I won't spoil the ending except to say that it's DILL-lightfully PICKLE-TAS-TIC! (Now, I may need to munch a pickle or two.)
One person found this helpful
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Marty Lapointe-Malchik, Teacher of the Deaf
5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable Teamwork + Kidliscious Calamity
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2024
Cathy Ballou Meaney's SLOTH AND SQUIRREL IN A PICKLE is a tangy treat of a picture book. All they need is more pickle packing practice to please Mr. Peacock their new boss at the pickle packing factory before they have earned money to finally buy a bike. I love the stakes, the duo, and the setting. It's pickle juice color palette and adorable characters illustrated by Kelly Collier are the perfect match for the text. Cathy crushes the ending! Kids will love the anticipation and laugh out loud at the last page turn. Delightful book that could be a Valentine for that someone special with or without a toy sloth, a squirrel, and a jar of pickles.
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