Stick and Stone

July 1, 2021
When you search for family--and discover it's always been there. The pals introduced in Stick and Stone's first eponymous outing (2015) set out on a quest for Stick's literal family tree. From what kind of tree did he break off? Oak, spruce, willow? The duo ventures forth, determined to find Stick's origins, traversing bodies of water, forests, valleys, and mountains. Though surrounded by trees, Stick can't find his familial roots. Soon, things turn ominous: Darkness falls, shadows and strange noises become unnerving, and the terrified pair realizes they're lost. No fear, though. They eventually return safely, and Stone helps disconsolate Stick understand who his family is and always has been--and that differences don't matter. This sweetly adorable story, expressed textually through simple, jaunty verse, conveys the reassuring message that family and true friends always (ahem) stick by you when you need them. The bright illustrations, aptly set mostly in nature, are equally endearing, with the protagonists exuding optimism and cheerfulness (except during that scary forest adventure). They register a broad range of expressions, though their faces are created merely from dots and curves denoting broad smiles. Brownish Stick bears pairs of short, chunky projectiles connoting limbs; his tilted head resembles a wizard's cap. Stone is orange-brown and looks like a rotund meatball. Endpapers feature numerous smiling iterations of Stick representing branches from different trees; included labels and leaves show variances. Kids won't be stone faced and will definitely stick with this delightful story about friendship. (Picture book. 4-7)

COPYRIGHT(2021) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 1, 2021
Preschool-Grade 1 When Stick wonders about his family tree (in a literal as well as a genealogical sense), he and his buddy, Stone, set out on a quest to find his origins. Together, Stick (a stick with a face as well as stubby arms and legs) and Stone (a round stone with a genial countenance) explore mountains, valleys, and woodlands without success. Strolling and rolling through a darkening forest, they become lost and frightened until they encounter their friend Pinecone, who leads them home. When Stick gives up on finding his family, Stone informs him, "Your family's ME!" His revelation strikes home with Stick, who realizes that he can always count on his best friend. A sequel to Stick and Stone (2014), this story begins with curiosity, leads to adventure, and ends (like so many road trips) with a character gaining a new perspective on what really matters. Excellent for reading aloud, Ferry's light-verse text will engage and amuse young children, while Lichtenheld's pleasing illustrations feature rounded forms, harmonious colors, and lively, lovable characters. A rewarding picture book.

COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

February 2, 2015
Newcomer Ferry’s simple rhymes and Lichtenheld’s (Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site) pared-down art make fine partners in this testament to friendship. At the outset, reedy Stick stands moodily by the sea, while round Stone gazes at the moon (“Stick. Stone./ Lonely. Alone”). They meet at the playground, where a pinecone makes fun of Stone. Stick defends Stone (“ ‘Vanish!’ says Stick./ His word does the trick”), and a friendship is born. Ferry adds zip to the best-friends-forever theme with plenty of sly puns (“Stone whispers, ‘Gee,/ you stuck up for me!’ ”), and Lichtenheld conveys significant expressiveness through the characters’ dot eyes and small smiles. More subtly, he darkens objects when the story takes a discouraging turn and pours on the sunlight when things cheer up. Friends can help each other by capitalizing on their differences, he suggests, as when Stone rolls a path through tall grass for Stick as they travel. The use of instantly recognizable objects as characters gives the story universal appeal, and Ferry makes its moral unmissable. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Elena Giovinazzo, Pippin Properties. Illustrator’s agent: Amy Rennert, Amy Rennert Agency.

Starred review from January 1, 2015

PreS-Gr 1-This stick and stone would never break a bone, as they're too busy caring about each other. Round stone labels himself a "zero" and tall, skinny Stick is only a "one," as they are solitary figures until they come together to form "a perfect 10." Stick sticks up for Stone when bully Pinecone makes fun of the rock, and the two become close companions. Told in rhyming couplets, this warm and tender story of two BFFs is made even more enjoyable by the charming, textured tan and blue illustrations, highlighted with touches of green and red. The pictures range in size from double spreads to small vignettes and deftly convey the two companions' harmonious relationship. Endpapers reveal Stick's and Stone's origins, and the text, suitable for beginning readers, sweetly expresses what it is to be and to have a good friend.-Maryann H. Owen, Children's Literature Specialist, Mt. Pleasant, WI

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2015
Turning the sticks-and-stones adage on its head, Ferry and Lichtenheld create a story of friendship between Stick and Stone. At book's start, each character is alone, sad-faced and lonely. "A zero. A one. Alone is no fun." (The zero is, of course, the round Stone, and the one is the straight, upright Stick.) The two meet at the playground, and when Stone is teased by Pinecone, Stick, well, sticks up for its new friend. A leisurely paced friendship unfolds, until a hurricane strikes, blowing Stick away, and now it's Stone's turn to save the day. In the end, thanks to Stone's perseverance, the two are reunited asa "perfect 10." Preschoolers looking for a model of a good friendship need look no further. Kindness rules the day, and humor, rather than obvious lesson-teaching, moves the story along. Pastel illustrations in warm colors extend the uncomplicated rhyming text; facial expressions are cartoony but effective. Making friends has never been easier. robin smith

(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

February 1, 2015
A lonely tree branch and rock find friendship and strength together. Stick and Stone feel very alone. Isolated on separate pages, their solitary figures appear downcast, until a chance encounter leads Stick to stand up for Stone against a bullying pine cone. Now inseparable, the two explore and play. But when a storm carries Stick away, Stone must search for him and bring him back. Simple, rhyming text and visual puns keep this familiar-feeling tale light and snappy. Lichtenheld's illustrations, done in dry media on paper, possess their usual appeal. The paper's rough surface gives the natural objects a warm, organic feel that contrasts nicely with the bold, graphic drawing style. As always, details charm, from the trail of flattened grass Stone leaves behind him as the two explore to the miner's headlamp he wears during his search for Stick. With few words per page and visually expressive characters, there is much to keep young readers' interest. A light, enjoyable approach to a recognizable narrative about making-and helping-friends. (Picture book. 3-7)

COPYRIGHT(2015) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

November 1, 2014
Preschool-G Stick, a stick, is lonely. Stone, a stone, is too. They meet and become friends. The end! In the hands of debut author Ferry and unstoppable best-selling Lichtenheld, however, this nearly plotless affair becomes a thing of off-the-charts adorability. For starters, just look at them: Stone (described as a zero because of his shape) is a brown lump, while Stick (described as a one ) is a stubby-limbed fella with a tall twig head topped by a leaf. They both have dots for eyes and dashes for mouths, all of which go giddy after they meet. Ferry uses a minimalism that matches the art: Stick, Stone. / No longer alone. / Stick, Stone. A friendship has grown. Then: a hurricane! Stick is missing! Then he is saved by Stone! Okay, it's true, even this dynamic author-illustrator duo run out of things to do, but these two characters are a delight to know (at the end, quite cleverly, they form a perfect 10 ), and the irresistible cadence of the text should make this a repeat favorite.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: After such hits as Steam Train, Dream Train (2013) and Good Night, Good Night, Construction Site (2011), anything Lichtenheld touches will be gobbled up.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)