Stick Man [Hardcover]

Julia Donaldson (Author), Axel Scheffler (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2009 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Lexile Measure: 510L (What's this?)

From superstars Donaldson and Scheffler, a heartwarming holiday tale.

Stick Man lives in the family tree
With his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three.

But one day, Stick Man is carried off by a mischievous dog who wants to play fetch! Things go from bad to worse as Stick Man is carried farther and farther away from home. Lonely and lost, Stick Man desperately wants to get home to be with his family for Christmas. And when he helps Santa Claus out of a bind, he finds the perfect ticket home!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1–Stick Man is happy with his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three–until a dog finds him and snatches him for a game of fetch. This is the beginning of a terrible journey during which, Odysseus-like, Stick Man tries to get back but is taken farther and farther away from his home as he is used over the months for everything from a boomerang to a snowman's arm. Readers will feel his anguish and cheer his eventual return (by Santa Claus no less, who rescues him from a fireplace on Christmas Eve) to his loving family. Bouncy, repetitive rhymes make this a good choice for storytime, and the saturated color illustrations carry well (although Stick Man does tend to blend, chameleonlike, into his surroundings). A slightly surreal holiday choice.–Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library END

Review

Praise for Stick Man

*"Scheffler's engaging illustrations, Donaldson's irresistible rhyming text and repeated refrains make this a winning read-aloud." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

*"Donaldson and Scheffler's poignant, suspenseful profile....could become a December perennial." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"The easy cadence, with a rolling structure and uncomplicated rhymes, will make this endearing picture book a fun read-along." —Booklist

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0545157617
• ISBN-13: 978-0545157612
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,463 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #32 in Books > Children's Books > Holidays & Celebrations > Christmas

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love the Stick Man! November 13, 2008

By S. Archer

Format:Hardcover

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler have done it again with this wonderful tale of the perils of Stick Man! Both you and your child will love Stick Man's humorous adventure in the world and his eventual safe return to his wife and family. This is a great book as we head towards Christmas since it features Santa (aka Stuck Man) stuck in a chimney. If you enjoyed other books by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, such as The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child, or Room On The Broom, then this one is for you.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Stick with Family November 3, 2010

By Reflection Haiku

Format:Hardcover

A great book for youngsters to read during winter/X'mas time, STICK MAN from the artists of ROOM ON THE BOOM offers another unique story about the family tree dad who is content with his beautiful Stick Lady Love and stick children three, is one day chased away from home by a dog and hurls into worlds of danger. No one can see he is "a stick man" that is needed and loved by a family - the girl throws him into the river, the swan weaves him into nest, the man makes him a sandcastle flag, the children makes him into a pen, a bow and a boomerang. Poor stick man has suffered and loses his hope of returning home and as he finally gets picked up as a stick to be burned for the fireplace, only a miracle can save him. And miracle does happen on Christmas night! The Stick Man is in the right place to save the "Stuck Man"(the gift-delivering Santa stuck inside the chimney). Carrying home by a grateful Santa for his family reunion, this book ends with a heartwarming note that may teach children to use their imagination and extend their compassion and love to be gentle to all living things for even a twig may belong to a family. The readers will have fun looking at the stick family holding hands, carrying their baby for a picnic and enjoy quality playtime together just like all of us.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Favorite books... October 17, 2009

By PDXbloss

Format:Hardcover

We love all of the books by these authors, and this one does not disappoint. A great little story, despite the Xmas theme, that can be read no matter the time of year. I love the sing-songy writing of the book (which many of their books have) and the illustrations are so detailed and bright. If you have liked their other books, you will also enjoy this one.