Stick Man

When Stick Man, who lives with his "Stick Lady Love and their stick children three", is mistaken for an ordinary twig in this humorous rhyming tale, he experiences a series of misadventures that take him far from home. Used by a dog in a game of fetch, by a series of children for such things as a pen or the arm of a snowman, by a swan as part of a next, Stick Man keeps insisting that he is who he is, rather than some sort of inanimate toy or tool. It is only when he crosses paths with Santa Claus that he is recognized as himself, and his wish - to return home - is granted...

Having enjoyed a number of British author Julia Donaldson and German illustrator Axel Scheffler's other rhyming picture-book adventures, from The Gruffalo to Room on show more a Broom, I picked up this holiday tale with a great deal of pleasant expectation. I was not disappointed, finding the narrative entertaining and the colorful artwork appealing. Stick Man, like so many of this duo's creations, was made for reading aloud, and is sure to amuse young audiences, even as it keeps them on the edge of their seats, wondering whether the eponymous Stick Man will get home in time for Christmas. Recommended to fans of Donaldson and Scheffler, and to anyone looking for fun, lighthearted Christmas (or any other time of the year) picture-book reads. show less

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler have come up with some deeply satisfying characters, like the Gruffalo and the Smartest Giant in Town, but Stick Man seems to self-aware, too tryhardy, trying and failing to be more than a Gingerbread Man knockoff that you can't even eat, but sanguine knowing that if he just repeats his name often enough--"I'm Stick Man, I'm Stick Man, I'M STICK MAN" goes the refrain--he'll fool some small proportion of the large number of kids to whom this book is distributed into thinking he's a cool guy. He's a kleiner pisher trying to pull up his Q-rating by its own bootstraps, and it makes his adventures sort of fundamentally dispiriting even as they're cute and fun. Also I hate it when Santa Claus shows up in show more shit that he has no right to show up in like he's some kind of everready trumpcard and now you have to have fun, like Kool-Aid Man. Again, it's all marketing. show less

Read to a small child to entertain while Dad was ringing on an outing. Read twice.
I like the introduction of jeopardy and the sense of self.
The illustrations are beautifully done, lots for a small child to become engaged with.
If I had a quibble it would be that I'm not sure some of the lines scanned in my reading.

Loved, loved, loved this book! But, is it a coincidence how much Stick Man reminds me of Norwegian author [a:Anne-Cath. Vestly's|5806864|Anne-Cath. Vestly|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1360422507p2/5806864.jpg] hero from the books about Little Brother and his stick man (and which I read over and over as a child)? Maybe part of my love for [a:Julia Donaldson's|103243|Julia Donaldson|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1224775572p2/103243.jpg] Stick Man indeed comes from those fond memories. But, the book is great. It might be somewhat scary for the youngest ones, but it has a happy ending, and it doubles as a Christmas tale. The prose is great, so much fun to read the rhymes. I think we even liked it better than show more the legendary [b:The Gruffalo|1013383|The Gruffalo|Julia Donaldson|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1329674496s/1013383.jpg|999507]. show less

He's not just a stick; he's Stick Man, who just wants to be "with his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three." Then one fine Spring day while out for a jog, a dog wants to play with him. Despite Stick Man's protests that he is more than just a stick, a sword, a bat, or a pen, no one will listen to him. And so it goes that the Stick Man finds himself on an unwanted adventure that takes him far away from home.

Months go by and Stick Man is tossed into the fireplace. Will he ever see his kids and his Stick Lady Love again? Just when he fears that all is lost there's a noise from above. What could it be? Why, it's a Stuck Man in the chimney who delivers a surprise holiday ending.

The Bottom Line: Stick Man is full of silly whimsy. show more Kids will love the bouncy rhyming, and there's plenty of repetition for early readers. Axel Sheffler's full-color illustrations are whimsical, festive, and sure to please the little ones. Plus, parents will appreciate the family theme. It's the perfect read-aloud for a holiday story hour; kids will love to chime in. Recommended for kids ages 3 - 7.

This review also appears in the Mini Book Bytes Book Review Blog: http://minibookbytes.blogspot.com/ show less

I am a huge fan of Julia Donaldson who is best known for The Gruffalo. All of the books by Julia Donaldson are brilliant for reading to small children as they are generally all written in rhyme and written very well. Due to the success of The Gruffalo a lot of people have jumped on the rhyming bandwagon but no-one does it quite like Julia. This is good for us Dad’s as it is really easy to read in a fun and rhythmic manner which draws the child into the story.

Stick Man is about a family of stick people and focuses on the Stick Dad who ends up going on a long adventure away from the family tree due to all sorts of mishaps and all he wants to do is get back to his family. It’s such a lovely theme as we all ultimately want to spend as show more much time with our family as we can and it will likely make even the most manly man go “aaah”.

Among other things Stick Man ends up being thrown across a park for a dog and used by children as a Pooh Stick, I won’t spoil it by telling you any more, suffice to say read it as its superbly written and superbly illustrated. If your kids love the Gruffalo they will love Stick Man and so will you. show less

The crew that brought readers the Gruffalo, Room on a Broom, and even Zog have a new creature to capture our hearts. Stick man just wants to get home to his family tree, but it will be a long journey. The cadence is spot on, the rhymes work. This silly story is sure to be a family holiday favorite.
#Wintergames #teamreadnosereindeer +26