The stick has always been clever: it solves difficult problems, enjoys poetry, and ponders the music of birds and the beauty of a rose. The one thing it can’t do is speak. And because of this, no one can see that the stick is clever; all they can see is a stick. Follow the stick as he travels on a journey of self-discovery.

There was once a stick who liked to solve complicated mathematical problems, compose poetry, and observe the natural world. "Ever since he had fallen off the tree, he had been sharp." But for all his smarts, the stick did not know how to communicate with others, and seemed doomed to remain alone. Until he realized that there was a way to make himself heard after all...

With simple but expressive ink and watercolor illustrations, John Lechner's The Clever Stick is a parable about the need for community. It is also a thoughtful exploration of the ways in which we communicate with others, how our individual modes of expression are often a reflection of who we are. Recommended especially for young children who are struggling to find their voice. ( )

You wouldn't think a stick would make a proper character for a book. They are rather singular in nature and generally are not thought of as being all that active. And yet in the right hands sticks have shown me worlds of imagination I never dreamed of. Take "Not a Stick" by Antoinette Portis -- absolutely a brilliant book for youngsters (and the young at heart). It's basically a story about what a stick can be in a child's imagination. I highly recommend it.

So, having given this praise to one stick, why did it surprise me that another stick, "The Clever Stick", was going to equally amazing. But it is. John Lechner's book is a great read-aloud, and a wonderful book to share with children. And unlike the direct, simple prose of Portis, his words and story are lyrical, with that fabulous 'fairytale' feel.

Lechner writes: "Ever since he had fallen off the tree, he had been sharp. He would sit in the sand and think up all sorts of clever things. He would float down the stream, making up poetry. He would listen to the singing of the birds and wonder what made it sound so beautiful." Stick would also make other observations and therein lay his problem, for Stick, you see, hadn't found a way to communicate with the creatures of the world around him.

Lechner uses this isolation to tug on our heart strings, before he devises a pleasing solution for Stick. Highly Recommend checking this one out.

Talking Points :::
o The artwork fits this story perfectly. It is in gentle colors, attractively done.

o The story has a wonderful fairytale feel and is a good read-aloud.

o My children (currently 7 and 9; boy and girl) loved the story. I liked it as well, and liked that there were ideas to discuss. Stick allowed us to talk about the nature of communication, the importance of writing, and the importance of flexibility and serendipity. (Don't worry, younger children will just love Stick and his story)

o Accelerated Reading Level - 3.2

Pam T~
mom and reviewer at BooksForKids-reviews ( )

The stick that can't talk but discovers that it can create art and creates a lovely mural. ( )