Oh so late tonight! But here nonetheless with a humorous book for our Christmas book journey. This is a read-aloud book for sure with lots of repetitive phrases for great participation. From the duo that made The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom, here is Stick Man by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler, 2008.
The best way I can think to describe this book is similar to “The Gingerbread Man” tale, but funnier and more clever. It all starts with Stick Man who lives with his stick family. One day he goes off for a jog and then the fun began. First a dog nabs him and he is caught in a rousing game of fetch.
“I’m not a stick! Why can’t you see,
I’m Stick Man, I’m Stick Man,
I’M STICK MAN, that’s me,
And I want to go home to the family tree!”
Thus is the refrain to repeat. Again and again Stick Man finds himself stuck in some task that works for sticks but not for Stick men. A water stick race, a twig in a nest, a snowman arm… so many many things he gets tangled up in until finally he ends up in the firewood pile by the fireplace. A dreadful thing that he thinks is the end, but then a boot comes into his face and person is stuck! Good old Santa comes down and Stick Man unsticks him from the chimney. He helps Santa with presents and then Santa gives him the best gift of all, returning him home.
This is a fun, silly, unique Christmas book for our pile. The repeated refrains are a thrill to our toddler and the different predicaments are so fun to follow. It is amazing how many things a stick is useful for!
Donaldson’s writing is clever and great with the rhyming. She and Scheffler make a great team with his fun, cartoony illustrations with many details to hunt down. The eyes of his characters always crack me up!
Here’s hoping you are having a joyous Christmas with your family, and remember to stick to your family, just like Stick Man!
Follow along our book adventure at 25 Days of Christmas Books 2014!
Three Books a Night 