Tom Watson (5) (1962–)

I'm really not sure how I feel about this one -- on the one hand, I like the representation of neurodivergence and how Molly's friends and family just totally accept her. When something gets stuck in her head, they work to help her get it unstuck.

However, in this case the plan is to cause a disruption, lie to the principal and steal the candy jar. And I don't really feels satisfied with that on two counts -- first of all, couldn't they just ask to count the candy? Secondly, if they replaced show more the candy jar with a same-sized jar with the same amount of the same candy in it, why couldn't she just count her own jar? If that wasn't good enough because it wasn't the original jar, why doesn't the second one get stuck in her head, too? Did she count it before the bait and switch? And ok, so maybe this is a harmless wish-fulfillment sort of book, but frankly the disconnect gets stuck in -my- head. Anyway. It's an interesting story. show less

I was excited about the news that Watson was debuting a new beginning chapter book series and this fully lived up to my expectations.

Molly gets things stuck in her head. Like, she has to separate and eat her froot loops by color. And organize her pillows in a certain way. When she gets things stuck in her head, she just HAS to do them, like having to know EXACTLY how many skittles are in Principal Shelton's big glass jar! Luckily her best friends, Simon and Rosie, are happy to help her, even show more if it means getting into trouble.

They come up with a lot of crazy ideas and try out many wild shenanigans, but will any of them work? Will Molly be able to count and get that idea out of her head or not? A satisfying ending, with a supportive family and a surprisingly funny and non-moralistic conclusion, round off this delightful new beginning chapter series.

There is a lot of diversity here, but in the hands of Tom Watson and illustrator Marta Kissi, it's smoothly blended into the plot and characters and all feels completely natural, as it should. Adults may guess that Molly has some form of OCD, but it isn't named. She and her friends cooperate on various coping mechanisms and even though they might roll their eyes, they're perfectly willing to collect and organize all the leaves before they jump in them. Her teachers and parents have just the write blend of accommodations and challenges for her as well. Molly is biracial, with a white father and darker-skinned, possibly Hispanic mother. Her friend Simon is white, her friend Rosie is African-American. Her teacher is African-American, her principal has slightly darker skin and appears to be Hispanic.

Each chapter includes encouragements "look how far you've read!" and at the end there's a congratulatory note on completing the book and three activities, labeled "THINK, FEEL, ACT" to encourage further discussion.

Verdict: My only quibble is the struggle to decide how many to buy and where to put them! Do I buy hardcover and shelve with with Stick Dog? Paperback and with the beginning chapter series? I am leaning towards the latter, especially as I will then be able to purchase multiple copies. I can't wait to use this in book club and get the next books in the series, which promise to feature Simon and Rosie.

ISBN: 9780062953414; Published February 2020 by HarperCollins; Borrowed from another library in my consortium; Purchased two copies in paperback for the library beginning chapter series collection show less

A quick fun read, a solid choice for kids transitioning to chapter books who like a bit of soft humor and still want some cute illustrations in their reading life. And those young readers will likely enjoy that every so often the book congratulates you for how much you’ve read.

The title caper was entertaining and creative even if it did seem like there was a simpler solution the kids overlooked.

The extremely light tone of this one meant the book doesn’t really delve into Molly’s show more obsessive compulsive tendencies and what if anything her parents might be doing to get her help in managing the situation so that was perhaps an opportunity missed, but I did like that the parents and Molly’s friends show her nothing but kindness and patience throughout the story. show less

Usually I have no issue recommending books I haven't read. I've been recommending Stick Dog for years without having cracked one open. However, having finally picked up and read a title, due to an emergency lack of books during lunch (yes, I do work in a library) I have to admit that I have been recommending these all wrong.

Stick Cat is the start of a new series (although the author assures us that Stick Dog will continue) and features, wait for it, Stick Cat. The "author" of the books show more purports to be a kid, who happens to have a crush on a girl, who happens to like cats, and who happened to request a cat story. Hence, Stick Cat. In this first book we are introduced to Stick Cat and his friend Edith. They play exciting games that involve staring at each other, sleeping, and listening to Edith go off on weird tangents. They also enjoy listening to a piano tuner in the next building over play music. But when there's a nasty accident, can Stick Cat and Edith work together to save the day?

The book is a typical notebook novel, with hand-drawn sketches of cats, people, and other doodles and printed on a faux-notebook paper.

I found it unutterably boring. I am being truly honest here. I did not understand how kids think this is funny and I found Stick Cat's attitude towards Edith (and Edith's character) rather stereotypical as well. But you know what? I am not the audience for this book. And this is where I've been making a mistake - I've been recommending it as a read-alike for Wimpy Kid, which it is, but it's also much, much younger than I realized. I should have been recommending this to kids who aren't ready for Wimpy Kid yet.

Verdict: Despite my own disinterest, this series is perfect for younger kids who enjoy silly humor and easier chapter books and older readers who just want something to relax with for a little while. Recommended.

ISBN: 9780062411006; Published 2017 by Harper; Purchased for the library show less