Hi Cathy! Thanks for stopping by For the Love of KidLit to chat about your latest book, Sloth & Squirrel on Vacation 🙂
Sloth & Squirrel in a Pickle introduced us to this heartwarming friendship and now the sequel Sloth & Squirrel on Vacation lets us get to know this pair even more. I read in another interview that you studied famous comic duos because you “…hoped to show that unlikely friendships can grow and deepen when partners appreciate and celebrate what makes them each unique and special.” The dynamic you’ve created with your characters certainly achieves this goal!
I’m delighted to be back and share more about these adventurous friends. Thank you for your kind words about Sloth and Squirrel!
What kind of observations have kids made about your characters? Perhaps they picked up on things you didn’t even predict.
Even when Sloth and Squirrel have problems, they don’t get mad and they work together to figure it out.” I’m paraphrasing a bit here, but this observation from a child attending one of my bookstore events was absolutely spot on. The friends are patient and understanding of each other’s quirks, preferences and innate needs in a way that allows them to grow together.
Kelly Collier’s outstanding illustrations amplify these truths in the humorously exaggerated actions and expressions of the characters. When Sloth is ready in a flash to begin their Paradise Park vacation, he doesn’t get frustrated with Squirrel’s prolonged, chaotic packing process. He’ll just nap until Squirrel is done! And when Sloth’s slowness leads to an ice cream mishap, Squirrel finds a speedy solution that satisfies them both. Kelly has given them animated, dramatic eyes and mouths that reveal more from Sloth and Squirrel than any text I could have added.
Did you spend any time observing real squirrels and sloths (in nature or online) for inspiration?
Absolutely! We have all kinds of squirrels in our oak-filled backyard, and a few whom I recognize as individuals from their tail length, shapes or certain fur markings. Their boundless energy and athletic feats definitely inspire the types of adventures that Squirrel tackles at Paradise Park! I have visited the sloth family at our local zoo many times, and I have yet to see them do anything but sleep. The zoo does offer some ‘sloth encounters’ during feeding times for a few lucky visitors, and someday I will probably try that.
In what ways did Kelly Collier’s illustrations make your story pop even more?
Kelly’s illustrations definitely add to the fun on every page! Sloth’s unicorn floatie? Kelly’s idea. Luckily I bought a similar floatie online that is a huge hit at book events! Sloth’s ‘Electro-Lift’ mountain climbing gear? Also Kelly’s brilliant idea. Plus her diverse cast of Paradis Park background characters – from turtles and goats to sheep and bears – are just delightfully fun and add so much whimsy to the story!
Did you and Kelly collaborate on any specific ideas for the illustrations?
We did not collaborate, but that is due in large part to the incredible team at Kids Can Press. They have such insight, talent and experience in creating amazing books that every piece came together very smoothly! I love working with the KCP team in every moment from first idea to having the published book in hand or digital book downloaded.
Was there something you had to cut from the story that you loved? And/or is there something you’ve got in your back pocket for another Sloth and Squirrel story?
Have you ever gone on a road trip that was plagued with car problems, detours, and other unexpected surprises? At first I sent Sloth and Squirrel to Paradise Park on an adventure like that which was filled with ups and downs, but it made the story much too long. Getting them straight to Paradise Park in a page turn made the story faster and hopefully funnier! I hope to get Sloth and Squirrel back on their beloved motorbike in a future story that will zoom onto bookshelves and into readers’ hearts.
Thanks so much, Cathy. I hope we see more adventures with Sloth and Squirrel in the future!
About the author: Cathy Ballou Mealey enjoys all kinds of fun vacation activities, including swimming, reading and sharing sweet treats. When she is not writing or reading, she volunteers for schools, libraries and programs that support individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities. She lives with her husband, son and daughter north of Boston, Massachusetts, where she delights in watching silly squirrel antics and is waiting patiently for a sloth to appear.
About the illustrator: Author-illustrator Kelly Collier was born in Ottawa and grew up in Toronto. She has an identical twin sister and an older brother. As kids, Kelly and her sister drew all the time, mostly in an effort to “outdraw” their brother. Kelly studied illustration in college and has had lots of editorial work published, but has always wanted to create a children’s book. Kelly married a fellow artist who doesn’t complain when her projects take over the entire house, she has a dog who sort of resembles Steve and she really loves gold.
Jennifer Mary G 
Thank you for hosting me Jennifer!
Always grateful for a chance to share more about this fun duo and their adventures!
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Always fun to chat with you!! 😊 Thank you!
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