Sarah Ayoub (text) and Mimi Purnell (Illustrator), Nice & Slow, HarperCollins Publishers, November 2022, 24 pp., RRP $22.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781460761137
The long Melbourne lockdowns were tough for me, I know I felt burned-out and drained of creativity at the end. But the one thing that I look back on with fondness was the unscheduled nature of our afternoons and weekends. No sports training, no appointments, no playdates or parties, no shopping (other than groceries) meant our time was truly our own. Nice & Slow encourages families to recapture some of that on a regular basis.
On the first page readers meet a quaint, quiet home at sunrise, and each page depicts a family who have given themselves permission to spend this day living slowly. The day is not spent passively time-wasting, there is purpose and action. They make breakfast a special occasion, do things that have been procrastinated, rediscover favourite toys and learn new skills. They also read, dance, meditate and chill. The message for readers is that there is joy to be found within our homes, our families and ourselves if we slow down enough to feel it.
Reading this during school holiday season has the potential to help readers re-think how they approach planning out their days. In our world of abundant events and excessive items, it can be hard to put everything on pause and dedicate time to doing ‘slow’ activities. Often the biggest obstacle is the peer pressure to be busy doing activities that will photograph well for social media. It takes bravery and mental strength to seek out activities that could be perceived as mundane or traditional, even for just one day.
While this book recommends shunning to-do-lists, ironically it could be a how-to for those who struggle with the act of slowing down. If you find you and your kids are in need of re-connecting, Nice & Slow gently reminds you of some of those things that will get you working together, conversing and collaborating.
Reviewed by Cherie Bell
