Stick!

by Irene Dickson

A boy and his dog set off to play together one sunny day, taking nothing with them but a good, useful stick ...There are SO many things you can do with a stick. You can throw it, balance with it, float it down a stream, draw pictures in the sand and it will even help you make new friends! All it takes is a child's zest for life and a bit of creativity.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Storytime, Childrens, Plays, Dogs, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2017

About the author

Irene Dickson has been designing all sorts of things—from corporate identity, marketing, and websites to interior graphics and stained glass—as well as creating her own range of bespoke wedding stationery. She is now enjoying a new path creating picture books. She lives in a beautiful rural county in England with her family and her very old cat.

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very light on words. Creativity prompting, and could be read at a storytime while kids do the actions (but obviously replace the stick with scarves!!)

Recommended for ages 2-4.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book because it's a very useful stick: you can swish it, walk with it, draw with it.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stick by Irene Dickson. PICTURE BOOK. Nosy Crow (Candlewick) . 2018. $15.00. 9781536200164

BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

This is a very wholesome and simple story about a boy and his dog. They find a stick and use it for a wide variety of purposes, like tossing it, drawing with it, and stirring with it. Eventually it helps them both make a friend. Features large incredibly colorful and bright summer day illustrations.

This is a fun book to read with pre-k and help them to brainstorm uses for everyday objects. Its very simple and easy to understand. One use that was left out was swordfighting –honestly that would be one that little kids would think of, which makes this book very sweet and sedate, no parent would object to this book being in a school library or classroom. The illustrations are fantastic and quite large –easy to share with a group for a read-aloud.

Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author.
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Nadina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still wish you could give half ratings on goodreads, I would probably put this at 3.5 rather than 3.
I do really like the illustrations, they have just the right balance of detail and simplicity for the age group it seems like it is targeted to, which appears to be really young kids (toddler age probably).
The text also leads me to believe it is geared to toddlers. There is one sentence per page set and the sentences are very simple, it would probably make it good for learning first words.
I think the lack of a feel of a story is what brought this down for me. It felt like just sentences of things to do with a stick. If it had even just had an extra page or two saying a boy and his dog went for a walk, etc., and something at the end to wrap it up or mention the girl I think I would have liked it more.

[Alex Kartak · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "Stick!", an owner and his dog go around, what it seems to be, his neighborhood. The duo finds a stick and thinks of many possible activities to do with the stick like dropping it off a bridge, floating it down a river, and picking it up down the river. When the boy dropped if off the bridge. When the boy dropped it off the bridge, I felt sad at first, then they picked up and I felt warm inside. The end of the book was kind of confusing though. They had so many sticks, so i'm wondering if they collected a new stick every page. Just a theory. I loved this children's book; I enjoyed the plot/illustration. In a classroom, I could use this book in elementary school, honestly. In a special education class up to maybe fourth or fifth grade. I would definitely use this on the younger age spectrum in a read-a-loud situation with questions after, either a small worksheet or verbal.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful and simple book about what to do with a stick outdoors. It could be paired with Not a Stick if you wanted to read more about sticks and imaginative play. Or it could be paired with Blocks, if you wanted to focus on early childhood play.

2022 storytime theme: wonder & nature

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

What can you do with a stick? Practically anything! A young boy and his dog find a stick and put their imaginations to work thinking of all the different ways they can play with it. In the end the stick even helps them to make a new friend. Simple text in large font and colorful illustrations bursting with energy will make this book popular with younger students , as well as primary grade classroom teachers looking for a read aloud about nature and seeing simple things with new eyes.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for toddlers! We acted out the actions with rhythm sticks (except "throw", which we carefully discussed beforehand and decided was not safe to do). Really fantastic for those very early narrative skills...I asked the group what they thought would happen when the boy dropped the stick in the water, and I was so excited to have one of my quieter kids answer confidently "it will float away!" This led to a great little mini discussion about how he might get it back.

[Olivia Nuzzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a great book to read to a child just learning how to read! There are very few words, but the pictures are worth a thousand words. The pictures are full of color and beautifully illustrated. Also, the story is simple, yet it teaches children about all the various things you can do with a stick. It is a fun and adventurous story that will engage children with its colorful illustrations and all the adventures the boy and his dog go on.

[Nicola · Rating 2 out of 5]

A simple story (largely non-verbal) especially good for 2-4 year olds that looks at the many creative ways one can play with a stick and have fun in the outdoors.

Miss 5 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does your child like sticks? Does your child REALLY LIKE STICKS? Then this is a book about sticks! It will never get old. Get ready to memorize it. Actually, you don't even need to get ready. You have already memorized it. You've read it for the twentieth time and it's another ten minutes until bed. You could go into a trance and read it. It's about a stick.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simple book - got it because it's just about a perfect difficulty for my 4 yr old to read. Love it because the neighborhood kids favorite plaything at our house is just that: sticks! Lots of possibilities with them.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really love this author/illustrator for toddler storytime books. Beautiful, eye-catching and expressive illustrations and a large book make it perfect for reading aloud to a group.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is incredibly simple to read. It allows for fun discussion and discovery in between pages.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

For toddlers & preschoolers who love sticks, this is a quick read with lovely illustrations. The kids enjoyed it.

[Elena Maddox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for baby story time.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big, simple, colorful: perfect for toddler time.

[Elizabeth Moreau Nicolai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for baby storytime. Sweet. Simple text. You can act out the actions. Bright clear illustrations that are beautiful. Diverse children.
Love this, sure to be a baby storytime staple for me!

[Colorado Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

could use it in a storytime about imagination, or play, or dogs, or outdoor fun

[Miss Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this simple toddler and up book about sticks and all that a boy and his dog can do with one on a day's adventure. Clear pictures and text.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Age: Toddler

Not much of a story here, but a celebration of outdoor play. Two words per page, an ability to shorten if needed, and large illustrations make this an excellent read aloud.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Possible Storywalk? Inviting pictures, larger format on fun to be had with a stick.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book for early readers. The words are small and simple to sound out. The pictures are colorful and bold.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely need to pair this with Not A Stick by Portis.

[ANNA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple. Smart. Practical.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute illustrations, simple text, but the illustrations tell the story, perfect for my 3 year old.

[Christine Meunier · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many things you can do with a stick!

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tale of a boy and his dog and the many joys of playing with a stick can bring.

[R. L. Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel bad, I forgot what this book was about! But I do remember we liked it, lol!