The Clever Stick by John Lechner - Revision history

Kieran at 14:58, 10 April 2018

2018-04-10T14:58:02Z

Sue at 17:22, 18 December 2014

2014-12-18T17:22:57Z

Keith: 1 revision

2009-10-24T17:35:37Z

1 revision

Keith at 09:26, 25 September 2009

2009-09-25T09:26:12Z

New review

{{infobox
|title=The Clever Stick
|author=John Lechner
|reviewer=Keith Dudhnath
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=Kids will get the slightly surreal idea of a stick that has wonderful ideas but has no way of expressing them. It's a sweet picture book that's well-worth a look.
|rating=4
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|format=Hardback
|pages=40
|publisher=Walker
|date=August 2009
|isbn=978-1406322231
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1406322237</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>1406322237</amazonus>
}}

The clever stick has all manner of wonderful ideas and things he wants to share with the world, but he has no mouth. He wants to write poetry, help others and tell roses how lovely they look, but he can't. With a heavy heart (I think sticks have hearts even if they don't have mouths) he drags himself home, and discovers that he does have a way of expressing himself after all.

I really liked the abstract nature of ''The Clever Stick'', and children will love the slightly surreal idea too. It's different to most children's books, but it's not too confusing for even the youngest book fans. They'll get it. Once they do and they run with the idea, they'll discover a sweet tale of trying to find your place in the world, developing, and discovering hidden talents.

You might think it difficult to make a stick look interesting, but John Lechner's illustrations are lovely to look at. There's plenty going on in the background to keep the interest levels up. Strange as it sounds, the stick's personality does come through. They aren't the sort of illustrations you'll rave about and insist everyone looks at, but if they hadn't been done as well as they are, it would be noticeably lacking.

''The Clever Stick'' is a gentle and delightful story that anyone who hasn't yet learned to read for themselves will love. The vocabulary is clear and understandable, yet not simplistic. The core idea is intriguing and well-executred. It's well-worth a look.

My thanks to the publishers for sending it to Bookbag.

[[Smile! by Leigh Hodgkinson]] also runs with an abstract concept to create a wonderful picture book. [[One True Bear by Ted Dewan]] shares ''The Clever Stick's'' gentle sensibilities, and is equally uplifting.

{{amazontext|amazon=1406322237}} {{waterstonestext|waterstones=6506104}}

{{commenthead}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clever Stick}}

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-{{infobox
+{{infobox2
 |title=The Clever Stick
 |author=John Lechner
@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 |date=August 2009
 |isbn=978-1406322231
-|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1406322237</amazonuk>
+|aznuk=1406322237
-|amazonus=<amazonus>1406322237</amazonus>
+|aznus=1406322237
 }}

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 |buy=Yes
 |borrow=Yes
 |pages=40
 |publisher=Walker
@@ Line 29: / Line 28: @@
 [[Smile! by Leigh Hodgkinson]] also runs with an abstract concept to create a wonderful picture book. [[One True Bear by Ted Dewan]] shares ''The Clever Stick's'' gentle sensibilities, and is equally uplifting.
-{{amazontext|amazon=1406322237}}  {{waterstonestext|waterstones=6506104}}
+{{amazontext|amazon=1406322237}}
 {{commenthead}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Clever Stick}}

← Older revision	Revision as of 17:35, 24 October 2009
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