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Sticks
A heartwarming story about finding your place in the world. Sticks is about a Popsicle that accidentally melts and becomes just a plain stick. He has a hard time adjusting to his new normal but with the help of some new friends (who happen to be sticks too) he realizes that everything happened for a reason and that melting was part of his journey.
Sticks is a story that almost anyone can relate to. It's about finding yourself in a situation that didn't turn out like you expected and having your friends and family help you find he courage to pick yourself back up and persevere.
Sticks is a story that almost anyone can relate to. It's about finding yourself in a situation that didn't turn out like you expected and having your friends and family help you find he courage to pick yourself back up and persevere.
21 pages, Hardcover
Published May 3, 2019
607 people are currently reading
429 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
August 16, 2021
This is a children's book that I read to my twin boys. I loved this book so much, and my boys really loved this book too. I felt the pictures where super cute. This book teaches kids that if you look hard you will find your place that you will fit into. I also think this book so kids how many things are made for wood. I think this book was easy for my boys to follow, and it was also fun for me to read it. I think this book is great for 1st grade to around 4th grade depending on the kid.
April 30, 2020
Great Lesson
This story is about learning to say "I Can" and avoiding "I Can't." My six year old son completely understood the message & loved the amount of support popsicle stick received. I also loved the extra activity added to the end of the book. Will be trying it with my son. I highly recommend!
This story is about learning to say "I Can" and avoiding "I Can't." My six year old son completely understood the message & loved the amount of support popsicle stick received. I also loved the extra activity added to the end of the book. Will be trying it with my son. I highly recommend!
August 24, 2021
This book was super cute and has cool projects at the end of the book. I read this to kids I babysit once and it was a big hit! Really helped them a lot! I think this book is trying to say your cool no matter what.
May 15, 2020
I'm using this book and the resources at the end to help my students understand where they fit when we come back together.
August 9, 2020
No help needed: happened, puddle, through, popsicle, explore, quickly, special, believe, celebrate, should, excited, believe, climbed, gently, beautiful, learned
Help needed: stained, quite, hearing, appear, discovered, design, ignore, bristles, galore, sugary, journey
Help needed: stained, quite, hearing, appear, discovered, design, ignore, bristles, galore, sugary, journey
January 13, 2020
A popsicle stick is distressed when her purpose in life melts away with her frozen coating. A nearby twig is all sympathy and introduces the sad little stick to a few of her friends. Pencil has found purpose that "led" to success and brush is swept up in her art. None of this impresses the despairing little stick, she repeats "I'll always just be an icky, sticky stick." Then a bird swoops in and lifts the stick into a tree where it becomes the last piece of a popsicle bird house. Her destiny is at last revealed.
The story is told in rhyme with bright, cheerful illustrations that prevent the story from becoming depressing. The other pieces of wood try to chipper up the stick which makes for a positive message on helping friends and trying new things when life suddenly changes and the twig never gives up which exemplifies persistence in a positive way. It is full of positive, optimistic messages. The use of primary colors in the artwork helps to keep the message simple and direct while adding to the positivity of the theme. This is a fun little book that is especially appropriate for readers who have experienced a recent challenge or loss.
The story is told in rhyme with bright, cheerful illustrations that prevent the story from becoming depressing. The other pieces of wood try to chipper up the stick which makes for a positive message on helping friends and trying new things when life suddenly changes and the twig never gives up which exemplifies persistence in a positive way. It is full of positive, optimistic messages. The use of primary colors in the artwork helps to keep the message simple and direct while adding to the positivity of the theme. This is a fun little book that is especially appropriate for readers who have experienced a recent challenge or loss.
October 26, 2024
I picked the book Sticks because I thought it would be an excellent addition for young readers I will have in the future. This story would be a fantastic read for students in elementary school. The theme of Sticks is that anyone can have a fresh new start if they believe. This book takes the reader on a journey of feeling lost, how one can become stuck in a negative mindset, and the importance of being surrounded by people with a positive attitude. A teacher could use this book if a new student comes into a classroom to show the importance of supporting others who might not feel welcome or lost. This book will be great if students need to learn about other students with disabilities because the story focuses on what can be done, not what can’t be done. It also shows that in the start, not everyone will succeed, but one learns new skills over time, and they should be excited that they grew and always be grateful for what they overcame. The rhyming words make the story easy to read and follow, allowing the students to know what will happen ahead of time. Teachers can use this book to discuss how we are all linked but have unique talents, feelings, and special characteristics that should all be honored. An art project can also come from this book; students could grab anything made from wood and create something unique and special to show that many things are made from wood and have a particular purpose. Sticks would be a great addition to the classroom because it covers several important topics, so I love this story. It opens up topics on how our looks change, how long we belong, that our feelings are constantly evolving, that kindness matters to everyone around us, how to overcome differences, the importance of not being stuck in a negative mindset, and how we are all linked to one another. The story was full of compassion and realism to help students feel the story deep within.
September 8, 2023
this book is about a popsicle that melted and only left a stick and that stick trying to find where it belonged because it only knew how to be a popsicle. and in the end it ended up finding where it belonged and that it had new friends as well.
I really like this book because it took something that you can easily throw away and told a story on finding yourself and that no matter what happens to you you can also find a place to belong. one thing i noticed when i first read it is that when you first meet twig you can see a bird house with a roof tile missing that looks just right for the stick to fit in.
i would definitely use this in a classroom because it teaches us that even when you think you don't belong anywhere or that you don’t have any talents you can find a place where you belong. Also the book has instructions on how to build a popsicle bird house so you could do that as a group activity and make some for the kids to take home as well as a bigger one to keep in the classroom to remind kids that they belong no matter what.
I really like this book because it took something that you can easily throw away and told a story on finding yourself and that no matter what happens to you you can also find a place to belong. one thing i noticed when i first read it is that when you first meet twig you can see a bird house with a roof tile missing that looks just right for the stick to fit in.
i would definitely use this in a classroom because it teaches us that even when you think you don't belong anywhere or that you don’t have any talents you can find a place where you belong. Also the book has instructions on how to build a popsicle bird house so you could do that as a group activity and make some for the kids to take home as well as a bigger one to keep in the classroom to remind kids that they belong no matter what.
October 13, 2020
I am trying to read a new children's book every day for a month to help me find good resources for my teaching practicum and also to remind myself why I fell in love with reading in the first place. Today's book just so happened to be Sticks and to be quite honest it contained the exact message I needed to hear. This idea that things happen for a reason with us not always knowing why and that each one of us is made for something extraordinary are both messages that we need to hear more of these for sure. While reading this I was reminded of one of my favourite quotes from This Is Us: "there’s no lemon so sour that you can’t make something resembling lemonade” which just added to the reading experience and the story. Its definitely a book I will be getting for my future classrooms, thanks, Diane Alber!
October 20, 2020
To me this hit two picture book annoyances: first, I could have lived without the rhyme. And second, this felt like one of those books that were written for parents and teachers to read to kids and talk to them about, rather than written for kids. Maybe we need those, but I kinda feel like books written to their kid audience do better.
There's nothing wrong with the message here, but both my kid and I got hung up in the details. Are we sure the paintbrush is wood? Because it for sure looks like plastic to us. And now he's all confused and thinks pencils are basically sticks with graphite jammed in them, no understanding of composite wood. It could be both of us are overthinking this, but while it was perfectly fine, I can think of better ways to get his message than through this book.
There's nothing wrong with the message here, but both my kid and I got hung up in the details. Are we sure the paintbrush is wood? Because it for sure looks like plastic to us. And now he's all confused and thinks pencils are basically sticks with graphite jammed in them, no understanding of composite wood. It could be both of us are overthinking this, but while it was perfectly fine, I can think of better ways to get his message than through this book.
April 27, 2019
Perseverance, Starting Over, Cheering friends on...
Sticks emphasizes that there are times when we feel lost & need a fresh start.
The main character, Stick, struggles in Perseverance during those moments of feeling lost: “I’ll always be just an icky, sticky stick”
Then we see the special role of encouraging friends:
“Please don’t be afraid to try something new”
“We believe in you, you are amazing”
“It is never too late to have a fresh start.”
Sticks helps us to learn both the giving and taking of encouragement.
As always, Diane Alber offers Life lessons for all of us.
I love the Brief cameo by Scribble, from I’m Not Just A Scribble
Sticks emphasizes that there are times when we feel lost & need a fresh start.
The main character, Stick, struggles in Perseverance during those moments of feeling lost: “I’ll always be just an icky, sticky stick”
Then we see the special role of encouraging friends:
“Please don’t be afraid to try something new”
“We believe in you, you are amazing”
“It is never too late to have a fresh start.”
Sticks helps us to learn both the giving and taking of encouragement.
As always, Diane Alber offers Life lessons for all of us.
I love the Brief cameo by Scribble, from I’m Not Just A Scribble
April 29, 2019
The Stick Who Had Lost His Way
This is a story of stick and twig. Stick is all upset because he went out on a hot day and his sweet popsicle melted away. Now he is just a discolored stick. What can he do. What can he do? Twig calls to him from the tree. He takes him on a walk to show stick what others had become even though they started out as a stick. Will stick get some good ideas? Will stick get happy?
This story is great to teach kids to never give up. To recycle, and to listen to your friends. There is a craft project inside. I won't tell you what it is, but it's perfect.
I found this book on a website for free for an honest review.
This is a story of stick and twig. Stick is all upset because he went out on a hot day and his sweet popsicle melted away. Now he is just a discolored stick. What can he do. What can he do? Twig calls to him from the tree. He takes him on a walk to show stick what others had become even though they started out as a stick. Will stick get some good ideas? Will stick get happy?
This story is great to teach kids to never give up. To recycle, and to listen to your friends. There is a craft project inside. I won't tell you what it is, but it's perfect.
I found this book on a website for free for an honest review.
Read
September 11, 2019Sticks is a cute book that focuses on find what are your special talents. This book is about a little stick who thought his sole purpose was to be one thing. When that one thing is taken from him he believes he s useless and has no purpose. Along came a friend who took him on a journey to show him the talents of those similar to him that he could learn to do. It takes a while but he slowly sees his purpose. I can see this book being used to tell students that it is okay that everyone is not the sames with the same talents. That they will not discover their talents suddenly, but it takes time, and sometimes a special person to reveal it to them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2019
This is a great book for early readers. The words are simple and allow them to practice words with similar sounds, this helps them practice their reading fluency while enjoying a cute story. I also really really really appreciated the page at the end for extension of the story, it offers some questions that parents can use to engage the child with the story. This is crucial to do because it teaches the child to think about what they are reading and start building reading comprehension. I am an English teacher for children that are non-native speakers and this is a book I will use with my students.
November 11, 2021
In Diane Alber's picture book, Sticks, you will find an exceptionally illustrated humorous story. The fact that it rhymes just adds that much more to the fun.
I liked this story because it had illustrations that were funny, colorful and well done. I would love the book for this alone, but there is more to it. I stresses not giving up when things don't go the way we want. It shows the joy of finding a new purpose and makes a point of showing it is okay to accept help from friends when you need it.
This is a wonderful book for children. I believe almost any child would love Sticks.
I liked this story because it had illustrations that were funny, colorful and well done. I would love the book for this alone, but there is more to it. I stresses not giving up when things don't go the way we want. It shows the joy of finding a new purpose and makes a point of showing it is okay to accept help from friends when you need it.
This is a wonderful book for children. I believe almost any child would love Sticks.
March 3, 2024
This book introduces us to Stick, our main character who starts as a popsicle but its too hot outside so he melts to a sticky stick. Stick begins to get sad afraid he messed up and that he will never be himself again. He then meets his friend Twig who shows him all the possibilities with his new self. They tell Stick to not be afraid and to embrace what is to come. Eventually Stick finds his place and is happy with the life he found. I would use this text to express to my students that we are constantly changing and that its okay! To remind them we all have a path and our changes are just steps along the way.
April 26, 2019
I love Sticks!
A sweet , fun, artsy, and inspirational book all in one! What fun to read this authors books! Sticks goes through a journey from what he once was to what he becomes. With the help from blue bird and others, his confidence builds and he becomes more than what he ever thought he could be. I loved how the scribble crew was planted in this book. Makes it so fun! Then, an added attraction is there for you at the end of the book! Fun stick project kids will love making. This is a book for kids and adults to enjoy together!
A sweet , fun, artsy, and inspirational book all in one! What fun to read this authors books! Sticks goes through a journey from what he once was to what he becomes. With the help from blue bird and others, his confidence builds and he becomes more than what he ever thought he could be. I loved how the scribble crew was planted in this book. Makes it so fun! Then, an added attraction is there for you at the end of the book! Fun stick project kids will love making. This is a book for kids and adults to enjoy together!
July 28, 2019
Who knew a melted popsicle stick, tree branch stick, and pencil could all come together to teach about inclusion, positive mindset, perseverance, and finding one's place? It all begins when a popsicle stick goes outside only to find himself melted, sticky and an "icky, sticky stick". Tree branch stick and pencil make it their mission to show popsicle stick that he belongs! I love how Alber uses color vs. black and white throughout this story as well. This is part of a series including I'm Not a Scribble, Snippets, Spots, Scribble Stones, Splatter, and a few more.
January 1, 2024
Charming story of a popsicle stick that doesn't know what to do after the treat melted and he was just a colorful messy stick. A nearby twig encourages him to try new things and figure out where he belongs. Some readers will figure out where the stick should go from the first illustrations if they study the details. Twig introduces Stick to other wooden objects who changed and found their purpose. Stick is afraid to try anything so gets help to travel to the place he belongs.
Empowering story for readers to encourage them to find their own paths.
Empowering story for readers to encourage them to find their own paths.
April 27, 2019
Such a Great Book for Kids
We loved this book! I was very impressed by the fully fleshed-out story in rhyme with a great message about being yourself. The rhymes are articulate and flow very well and the art is very cute. As a bonus there's a popsicle stick craft project at the end of the book. My kids (3 and 7) both enjoyed the story and the popsicle stick project will be fun to build later.
We loved this book! I was very impressed by the fully fleshed-out story in rhyme with a great message about being yourself. The rhymes are articulate and flow very well and the art is very cute. As a bonus there's a popsicle stick craft project at the end of the book. My kids (3 and 7) both enjoyed the story and the popsicle stick project will be fun to build later.
March 14, 2020
Another in the SEL series by Diane Alber, this rhyming book finds STICK upset because he was first a popsicle and then melts in the sun. He laments he can’t do anything like Brush or Pencil or Twig and he’s just a sticky stick.
The theme is about reinventing yourself and self worth. STICK ends up as a birdhouse and the end pages provide ideas for extending the story and directions on building a birdhouse of craft sticks.
The theme is about reinventing yourself and self worth. STICK ends up as a birdhouse and the end pages provide ideas for extending the story and directions on building a birdhouse of craft sticks.
April 27, 2019
Simple story and wonderful message.
My seven year old said she really loved the sun art especially. She really liked the pencil and paintbrush, she thought they looked so real. She liked the part about how to make the birdhouse, she's planning to make one now! Another wonderful story!
My seven year old said she really loved the sun art especially. She really liked the pencil and paintbrush, she thought they looked so real. She liked the part about how to make the birdhouse, she's planning to make one now! Another wonderful story!
February 11, 2020
Excellent
What an walkthroughs story!!! ...and more!!!
A memorable story for children and brown ups too of starting over and finding meaning and purpose after disappointment!!
But more than a story, the postscript has ideas for further discussion of the main point and even lays out a handy craft activity related to the story! Awesome!!!
Highly recommended!!!
What an walkthroughs story!!! ...and more!!!
A memorable story for children and brown ups too of starting over and finding meaning and purpose after disappointment!!
But more than a story, the postscript has ideas for further discussion of the main point and even lays out a handy craft activity related to the story! Awesome!!!
Highly recommended!!!
May 7, 2020
Providence at work
Our 3 1/2 year-old grandson worked with his grandmother to make his mom a flower pot of sticks to hold a small flower to give to his mom for Mother’s Day.
That night his dad read the sticks book to him. The Mothers Day gift and the book seem to me to have been Divinely timed for maximum effect.
Grandpa
Our 3 1/2 year-old grandson worked with his grandmother to make his mom a flower pot of sticks to hold a small flower to give to his mom for Mother’s Day.
That night his dad read the sticks book to him. The Mothers Day gift and the book seem to me to have been Divinely timed for maximum effect.
Grandpa
July 31, 2020
When a popsicle goes outside and melts to fast he believes he is useless. He sees himself as just a stained stick. I twig tries to tell him that he is and can be so much more. This is a book about many things. First it is a book about believing in yourself. Then it is also a book about recycling. What could you do with a popsicle stick? What could you make out of it?
December 2, 2020
This was a good book, it helps students understand that if they aren't fitting in that there are always people that love them and want to hang out with them. It shows students that there will always be people that care about them and that will help them. I like it because it showed the stick being low in confidence and a friend kept trying to boost their confidence.
February 27, 2023
My students and I definitely got a chuckle out of this rhyming book about a popsicle stick that is struggling for meaning after the popsicle part melts off. The illustrations are amazing and the way the other sticks pump him up is so sweet. Would have been a five star for me, but it was just a touch too long for some primary listeners.
April 26, 2019
She’s done it again!
Another great book from a great author! I can’t wait to read this to my daughter she has me read all the books as bedtime stories for her. It’ll be another great read to my preschool class as well!
Another great book from a great author! I can’t wait to read this to my daughter she has me read all the books as bedtime stories for her. It’ll be another great read to my preschool class as well!
April 27, 2019
Beautifully written and illustrated
This book made me smile while reading it and I am 36. Amazing story for kids to learn never to give up and try new things, then they will find their purpose. Highly recommend.
This book made me smile while reading it and I am 36. Amazing story for kids to learn never to give up and try new things, then they will find their purpose. Highly recommend.
May 2, 2019
Great story!
This awesome little story has so many lessons to teach children about self worth, not giving up, everyone is special and more. I love the creative way to use it with popsicles and how you can recycle the stick into a fun little craft.
This awesome little story has so many lessons to teach children about self worth, not giving up, everyone is special and more. I love the creative way to use it with popsicles and how you can recycle the stick into a fun little craft.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews