Not a Stick

Oh, to be young again and find such joy and abandon in something as ordinary as a stick! Last year, we loved how Ms. Portis reminded us that a box is not just a box. Now, she delights us by reminding us that a stick is not just a stick. From the very first page, I was enchanted by the sweet-faced pig reaching out for a tree branch. Page after page, we are treated to the author's ingenious and creative notions of what an ordinary stick might actually turn out to be. As in "Not A Box" Ms. Portis again uses simple line illustrations (although the illustration on page 15 is anything but simple and quite a lovely surprise) and quiet text to transport us into her character's imagination. "Not A Stick" is not just another book; it is a wonderfully imaginative book and I only hope that there are more Not-A-Books to come.

If the the "Not a..." franchise continues to grow, that'll be fine by us. We're fans of both. For those enjoyed the first book, this is the sequel you would've hoped for. If you haven't already seen (the award winning) "Not a Box," no matter; This one is as good a place to start. (As far as the pig goes, I'm a fan.) For anyone who's had to slog through too many bedtimes with the all too standard fare of the genre, "Not a Stick" easily stands with the best of them. Great illustrations, too.

My little girls love, I mean really love, Not A Box, the perfect toddler book that came out last year. We read it OFTEN -- over and over. Mommy loves it too, but (whew!) I was ready for a change, just a little change (or my girls would never let me "out of the Box".) And then... Not A Stick arrived in our bookstore! Thank you! Thank you! Ms. Portis. The pig is adorable, my girls are happy, they yell "It's not a stick!" just like the refrain from Box. We're all enjoying the fun new drawings of the pig's imagination. Not A Stick, Not-A-Moment too soon!!!

I'm not sure what the literary grinch who wrote the previous review has against series books (especially one this well done). Children will appreciate that "Not A Stick" is at once familiar and yet different. This book is full of the same delightful humor and wonderful illustrations as the award winning "Not A Box"--your kid will love it.

I just love this little book! It's about me (or any parent) and my two boys (or any kid who fancies himself a swashbuckler at age four.) Every scenario's hero: the shark fisherman, the gallant knight, the he-man weightlifter, the caveman hunter, even the band leader -- is a role my boys have performed with gusto and aid of a stick at one time or another in their dramatic-play lives (with me advising "Don't poke anyone!" from the wings.) Antoinette Portis has obviously observed children at play or remembers that abandon from her own childhood. The steadfast surrender to one's imagination (as only kids can do) is celebrated with each reveal. Joy to look at, joy to read, joy to share (especially with boys, but, sure, with swashbuckler girls as well!) Cute piggy, fun book!