Max Found Two Sticks

by Brian Pinkney

A young boy discovers the joys of making music in this rhythmic, irresistible picture book from Caldecott Medal–winning illustrator Brian Pinkey.

One day when Max doesn’t feel like talking to anybody, he finds two sticks that make a perfect pair of drumsticks. He starts with a Pat…pat-tat on his thighs. Then he’s Dum…dum-dedumming on some boxes. Until finally he’s Cling…clang…da-BANGING on the garbage pails.

Suddenly, when a marching band Thump-di-di-thumps around Max’s corner, the most wonderful thing happens, and Max learns that you don’t need to talk to say how you feel—especially when you’ve got music.

Genres: Music, Picture Books, Childrens, African American, Fiction, Art, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1994

About the author

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, (Jerry) Brian Pinkney was raised in an artistic household. "My two brothers and sister and I played musical instruments, and we were always drawing, painting, or building things," the illustrator once recalled of his childhood. While his mother, children's book author Gloria Jean Pinkney, would inspire all her children with a love of reading, it would be his father, illustrator Jerry Pinkney, who would serve as a mentor to young Brian. "I did everything he did," Pinkney would later admit. "My desk was a miniature version of his desk. The paintbrushes and pencils I used were often the ones from his studio that were too old or too small for him to use. I had a paint set like his and a studio like his. Except my studio was a walk-in closet, which made it the perfect size for me."

Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/jerry-br...

According to the book back flap, he has played the drums since he was eight years old. He still keeps a set of drumsticks in his studio where, when resting from his illustrations, he sometimes taps out rhythms on the back of his chair.

With his wife, writer Andrea Davis Pinkney, he makes his home in Brooklyn NY.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This delightful story revels in the imagination of childhood and the joy of music. As people see Max going around with various items, from sticks to bottles to trash can lids, they wonder what in the world he is doing with them. Max uses them to emulate musical instruments and creates quite a beat! The end is absolutely darling and I very much enjoyed the overall story.

[Abby Johnson]

On a day that Max doesn't feel like talking, two sticks blow out of a tree on his street and Max begins to drum rhythms from the city all around him. This feel-good story about a boy expressing himself through music is an ode to the rhythms of the city and to the power of music.

[Cheryl]

LFL find that just somehow didn't click with me. Unrated, because I'm sure it's not the book's fault and so I don't want to rate it lower than it deserves.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book clearly takes place in NYC, something my NYC nieces and I really enjoy - seeing Max's dad being a conductor on a train makes them laugh. Seeing the WTC in the background makes me smile and think. And of course the kids up and down the block where we live spend their life sitting on the stoop, just like Max does!

The book makes great connections - each time somebody asks Max what he's doing, he plays the sound of something going on, and in the next panel he's using their bucket, or their hatbox, or their garbage cans to play his next rhythm.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone, particularly anybody who is musically inclined.

One note - the larger edition of this book is better. I got this edition because it was cheaper and in the bookstore, but the pictures end up a little scrunched.

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max is not in the mood for talking...instead, he lets music do the talking. He finds two sticks and creates beats by patting on his thighs, tapping a bucket, dumming on a box, and clanging on trash cans. Max intimates sounds from the neighborhood. A marching band makes their way down Max's street and one of the drummers notices Max's musical talents.

Pinkney's usage of onomatopoeias helps the readers to hear the beat of Max's music. The illustrations show the motion of the tapping sticks and the emotion the expressed from Max's dumming and clanging.

Fun book!

[Olivia Mondello · Rating 5 out of 5]

The intended audience of this book is ages 5-8 years old, and has a grade level of Kindergarten to 3rd grade. The theme of this story is that there are ways to express how you feel without having to use any words. I think this book is a great example of expressing yourself, because some people especially children have a hard time putting their thoughts and feelings into words. Some do this through art, dance, or music. In this story it is music.

[Holly Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hearing Brian read this at the Dublin Literacy Conference was really like watching a performance.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. "Max Found Two Sticks" by Brian Pinkney is a captivating picture book, perfect for children aged 4 to 8.

2. The story revolves around Max, a young boy who discovers two sticks and begins to explore the world of rhythm around him. As he uses the sticks to tap out beats inspired by the city noise, the bustling activity around him transforms into a symphony of sounds. Key themes in the book include creativity, the power of imagination, and the transformative impact of music on an individual's environment.

3. The book serves as a great resource for encouraging children to appreciate music and find inspiration in their daily lives. Its emphasis on cultural diversity and the simple joy of music aligns well with our library's goal to offer diverse and imaginative stories. In implementing this book in a classroom setting, I would start with a read-aloud session to introduce the story, engaging children by asking them to identify the different sounds Max hears throughout the book. Afterward, I would encourage students to use everyday objects, like pencils or small sticks, to create their rhythms. This activity would not only help them develop a sense of rhythm but also promote creativity. Following this, we would discuss how music makes us feel and the different ways we can create sounds around us.

[Jordyn]

Awards- none that i can find
Grade level- 1-3
Summary- On a day where Max does not really feel like talking to anyone, the breeze blows two sticks his way. He starts beating the rhythm to all the noises he hears around him. His gloomy day turns into a celebration of everything around him.
Review- I love this book because it as an African American boy as the main character, which sadly is rare. I also really lke it because even though max was having a bad day, he turns it around using nothing but 2 sticks.
In class uses- I would read this book aloud so young students can understand it is okay to have a bad day, I would follow it up with brainstorming different ways to make our bad days a little better, I would do this by letting them draw a picture of something that makes them happy and writing a sentence to describe it.

[Anna Madden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max Found Two Sticks is a great read for all ages and all students. A young boy does not feel like talking to anyone, so he picks up a pair of drumsticks. He discovers that he loves creating music. This book is perfect addressing the topic of diversity and social justice. The illustrations are incredibly done, Max's shirt almost looks 3D! The drawings look very realistic due to the composition and shading detail. Students can make connections from the book to their own life, and teachers can help students find if they also have a passion for music. Musical chairs can be played while learning about different instruments.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max Found Two Sticks (Paperback)
by Brian Pinkney
a Young boy learns how to expand his pretend play with a new idea every day to allow him to expand his musical ability. Each component relates to another thing in his world, he is appreciated for his musical ability and is give a great providence.

[Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are awesome. The story is great. This is about a little boy who finds two sticks, and then turns them into drums using ingenuity with buckets and bottles, and all sorts of stuff and in the end he is gifted real drumsticks. It’s amazing and it’s set in New York City. I have never seen the train look nicer than in these illustrations.

I would purchase this book.

[Sharon Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of books try to replicate instrument sounds in the prose. This one doesn't overdo it, and the lyrical writing highlights the rhythms that Max observes. The illustrations are a really unique style.

[M.L. Desir · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are gorgeous and the prose is superb. There have been plenty of times when I didn't feel like speaking to anyone and I wish I could tap out a few beats in order to share my feelings, like Max does in this picture book.

[Esutterlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two sticks fallen from a tree capture the sound of the city for this young imaginative child who begins to experience a love of drumming. African American author/illustrator 's lines convey a dynamic energy and pulse that fit the story.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

music and silence
young boy's experience of creativity and drumming

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations! It made me miss Reading Rainbow.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy finds two sticks and begins to make drums out of everything around him. Imagtitve and creative. preschool and up for length

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written and illustrated book about a boy named max who likes to drum. He started off with two sticks but then a band marched past him and gave him a new set of drum sticks.

[Dalton Prather · Rating 3 out of 5]

So so illustrations. I like the writting though.

[Bethel Swift · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the satisfying build and rewarding end to this picture book. The illustration style is fun and timeless. Great re-readability!

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Max uses sticks to make a rhythm that matches all the events in the neighborhood. 3.5 stars

#kidsofcolor
#urbansetting
#momanddad

[Caleb Asamoah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book and had an understanding of how story books with beautiful arts,pictures,graphics, etc are so interesting.
Your Reader Caleb Asamoah.
Thank you.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children's. Max finds two sticks and starts making music with them. Brian Pinkney's wonderful pictures.

[Book Buying With Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

His illustrations are truly beyond compare.

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love all the rhythms of the drums and the creative ways Max finds to play them. Lovingly illustrated as always!

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captures how music can get under your skin, and lead to innovation.

May inspire drumming.

[Sydney Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea seemed neat, but it could have been written much better. Plus, the boy was either rude or the reader needed an explanation (such as, he was non-verbal) or something.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a big hit in storytime. We practiced drumming on our laps along with Max, and the kids liked it a lot.

[Ebjourney · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

I love that two sticks had him making sounds. I love the community that is around him and his family, who all ask him what he is doing, and he taps out a beat.