Customer Reviews

Max Found Two Sticks (Reading Rainbow Book)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have used this book for several years in my music classroom. I've used it to introduce percussion family, marching band,self-expression and creative compositions. The story itself is wonderfully done, but the illustrations make the book a treasure. My students ask to read this one during Read Aloud Week.

I'm biased because of emotional ties to Brooklyn, but since we moved after my son was born, I was very happy to find and read him this book. It reminds me of the kids on our street there, playing games with what they find - and sticks are pretty harmless as far as city finds go. The illustrations are BEAUTIFUL.

Max consistently answers "what are you doing with those sticks?" musically, not verbally - which isn't necessarily how I want my son to communicate with me, but since we listen to and play a lot of music here, I think it's a good book to show the range of communication, and to show that it's ok to do your own thing without constantly explaining yourself.

While it might be strange to some that Max answers their questions with music, it's actually stranger that people ask absent-mindedly what he's doing when they can see and hear what he's doing - playing music!!
Max has his head on straight, and in the end is rewarded by a parade of musicians passing by, with one passing a pair of "real" drumsticks to him. It's a nice touch, that while his family doesn't get him, other musicians do. Again, I think this encourages kids to have confidence in doing their own thing. (Can you tell this is a resounding value with me?!)

While I'm writing about the plot, I think a serious asset to this book is with the illustrations. My 3 year old doesn't rush to turn pages, he really takes in the drawings. He is very verbal and communicative, but I think this book adds another dimension to his book collection.

This story is about a boy who loves music and rhythms. He has some drumsticks so he plays music. We loved his music the best! I think people should read this book because people get an idea to be in a band. We would too.

The story is about a boy who found two sticks and used them to play on things. We liked the story because Max played music on things. We didn't like this story because we didn't like the pictures. Many people should read this book because it's a good story.

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.

A boy named Max found two sticks and started to play drums on stuff like trash cans. Then a marching band came around the corner and the last man gave him two drumsticks. We didn't like when the twins were showing off their hats because they were boasting. Adults and children should read this book because it is a good book to read.

A boy named Max found sticks. He made alot of sounds and rhythyms. Then when Max was playing drums a band came over and the last drummer gave Max a real pair of drum sticks. I like the pictures in the book. I didn't like when he wasn't anwsering everyone. I think kids should read it with their families.

Max finds two sticks and does rhythms with them. We liked the book because Max gets sticks and plays them on many different things. What we didn`t like in the story was when everyone asked " what are you doing with those sticks?" too often. Anyone should read this book because it is a fun story to read. Lots of people should also read this book because it is exiting and surprising.

I really enjoyed this book. I read it to my early childhod music students. They loved the book and listened intently to every word.

The use of oil painting over scratchboard won't be to everyone's taste but I liked it because it is different. The various perspectives added to the excellent text. I also liked the positive portrayal of the father. I loved the ending! Definitely one we want in our collection