Children’s book author visits Inman Primary

Students at Inman Primary School in Red Oak, had the opportunity for a guest author to visit the school Tuesday, Feb. 7.  

Ryan Sloth, currently a football coach with the Iowa Barnstormers, visited with the students about the importance of following their dreams, staying in school and getting good grades. Sloth, who once played football for Iowa State, has also starred in six movies including “We Are Marshalls” and “Leatherheads,” working alongside such celebrities as Matthew McConaughey, George Clooney and Kurt Russell.  

Sloth recently published two children’s books and has two more books on the way. The books focus around the main character, Sammy Sloth, who teaches the kids to never give up and to always follow their dreams. In addition to seeing the new books, students also had a chance to see various jersey’s and helmets from Sloth’s football career, including his bowl ring from an Iowa State bowl game. Students also had a chance to learn about the slowest mammal, the sloth. As a finale to the visit, the students had a chance to have their purchased books autographed by Coach Sloth.

It was a very fun day! Here are some comments from the students:

“I thought the sloth he brought was real,” Gage Butcher.  

“Seeing his super bowl ring was cool,” James Gass.

“I liked the shiny football,” Cristian Lemus.

“I liked seeing the old helmet,” Dominic Hansen.

“I liked his books, especially the golfing part,” Tessa Rolenc.

“I liked seeing his football,” Daisy Chinchilla.

“I liked all the stuff,” Lillianne Pafford.

By Connie Dentlinger, Inman Primary First Grade Teacher