Stick and Stone

Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry, Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld (Koala Books)

PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 978-1-74276-167-1

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Stick and Stone is a deceptively simple story about friendship and kindness which will delight young readers. Using few words, this picture book cleverly depicts the importance of friendship, celebrates difference and presents a subtle anti-bullying message without being at all moralising. The story is told well through both the text and illustrations.

The gentle, warm rhyming text is sprinkled with humour - “You rock, Stone,” says Stick. – often leaving the illustrations to tell the story. Friendship and fun shine through on all the pages.

The pictures have a softness about them, yet use lots of colour and boldness. The illustrator has captured the energy, emotion and personalities of Stick, Stone and Pinecone, which enables readers to relate to these normally inanimate objects and become involved fully in this adventure.

This is a fun, easy to read book with a clever numeracy twist and truly shows that ‘Friends who stick up for each other rock’!

I like picture books which make use of the end papers to subtly expand the story. This book is a great example, using black and white sketches to show the beginning of Stick and Stone.