Counting down to Christmas with a new holiday book each day!

Stick Man by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler

This European import is lively, imaginative, and suspenseful — which is just what I’ve come to expect from this author-illustrator duo!  Stick Man is out for a jog, minding his own business, when suddenly he’s grabbed by a dog who’s eager for a game of fetch!  It’s one hardship after another as Stick Man struggles over the course of nearly a year (yes, it’s a mini science lesson on the changing seasons!) to return to his Stick Lady Love and their three stick children.

A spread from STICK MAN.

“Beware of the swan!” “Beware of the sand!” “Beware of the snow!” And most chilling of all, “Beware of the fire!”  Who can save Stick Man?  Why, Stuck Man, of course!

Enjoy the illustrator reading the book aloud:

There are many fun extras for this story, including a slew of guided reading worksheets, teaching ideas, and a Stick Man Song inspired by the book.

  p.s. My introduction to this talented team was by way of The Gruffalo and its sequel The Gruffalo’s Child.  I use these two books and the accompanying Gruffalo website faithfully every year in my library program, and I highly recommend them as read-alouds!