What do you think?
Rate this book
Stick and Stone #1
Stick and Stone
New York Times bestselling duo Stick and Stone are STICKing together in this hilarious and heartwarming picture book that proves once and for all why best friends ROCK! From beloved picture book creators Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld, perfect for fans of Kelly DiPucchio and Jory John. When Stick rescues Stone from a prickly situation with Pinecone, a friendship is born. But when Stick gets stuck, can Stone return the favor? With simple rhyming text, subtle messages of kindness and compassion, and Tom Lichtenheld’s signature charm, this delightful story about making and helping friends will enchant readers young and old because it’s never too early—or too late—to stick up for your friends. Don't miss Stick and Stone's picture book Plus don't miss the young graphic
40 pages, Hardcover
First published April 7, 2015
131 people are currently reading
1791 people want to read
About the author
Beth Ferry
40 books138 followersBeth Ferry is the author of the picture books Stick and Stone and Land Shark. Her family has cared for myriad pets, including two land sharks, a hedgehog, a blue-tongued skink, and a heap of hamsters, but her absolutely perfect pet is an English bulldog named Winston. She lives in New Jersey.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 724 reviews
August 12, 2020
This is so, so short! There's barely any plot ... I mean, honestly, there is no plot. But it's cute for younger children. Not sure why I read this, to be honest.
July 12, 2025
خوبه باز از بچگی انقدر تو گوش بچهها از دوستی و رفاقت و... میخونیم!!!
December 3, 2021
A really fun book about friendship. Very happy that I was able to read several pages in Spanish without looking at the English translation. Hope to build on my growing vocabulary and start to get a better feel for very simple sentence construction. Nice book for those just starting to learn Spanish.
December 1, 2015
I know everyone probably says this after reading Stick and Stone, but it’s rather irresistible...
Friends who stick up for each other rock!!! :)
A simple story that says so much with so few words. Friendship and fun shine through in the words and pictures. There’s even a bubble page! :D Bubbles dancing and floating off in the wind! These bright, clear pictures and messages make this book a hit in my book.
Fun and easy to read for young readers. Inspirational words to live by for all.
Be sure to pick this one up at your local Library or bookstore.
Highly recommended.
September 12, 2016
This is such a sweet rhyming story. Light on text with a simple, fun illustrations, this story of friendship is well-suited for toddlers yet my seven-year-old asked me to take this out out of the library. "I love STICK AND STONE!" he said. So do I, bud...so do I. 4 stars.
December 5, 2017
So cute for kids
December 11, 2015
I've never wanted to hug two characters as much as I want to hug them and be her friend!
ADORABLE story
ADORABLE illustrations
ADORABLE characters
I'm sorry, I just loved it sooooooo much!!!
I must admit I was ready to cry when Stone couldn't find Stick. I may have been tempted to close the book, but shhh!
ADORABLE story
ADORABLE illustrations
ADORABLE characters
I'm sorry, I just loved it sooooooo much!!!
I must admit I was ready to cry when Stone couldn't find Stick. I may have been tempted to close the book, but shhh!
July 13, 2025
چه قشنگ بود
October 31, 2016
Despite having the fewest words, the story of the unlikely friendship between Stick and Stone was the best of the picture books I read during the October 2016 edition of Dewey's 24-hour Readathon. The spare text of Stick and Stone builds to a satisfying conclusion and I loved the illustrations by Tom Lichtenheld. This book would have been on frequent rotation it it had been available when my sons were in pre-school.
November 6, 2021
Read for my toddler’s bedtime. A story about a stick and a stone and somehow they found friendship in each other. Good illustrations!
Read from kindle unlimited.
Read from kindle unlimited.
March 5, 2016
Meh.
I was looking through children's books for presents, and the art made this one stand out. It also promised an anti-bullying message, which I can get behind.
It didn't really deliver, though. The rhyming choice was fine, but the rhymes were all overly simple. Grammar and natural language were occasionally left behind. And the story... Well.
Stick and Stone are both alone and lonely. Then they meet in a not very interesting way. Pinecone makes fun of Stone, but a single word from Stick makes Pinecone go away. Seriously, he just says, "Vanish!" If I could have gotten rid of bullies that way... Then Stick and Stone play some more in a BFF montage, and a tornado whisks away Stick and Pinecone. Stick turns up stuck in a puddle, and Stone saves him. The end.
I don't really see the anti-bully message here. Pinecone being a bully isn't really established, addressed, or even explained. And the storm bit just seems tacked on, like the book wasn't long enough. It could have been longer if it had committed to its anti-bully message. Still, the art is cute, so you can just ignore all of the words. Saying it's a picture book is no excuse. Piggies in the Pumpkin Patch is a picture book about prepositions, with a simple exploration-return-home plot. The writing in that book blows this one out of the water.
"Best friendship." Ugh. Not gifting this book.
I was looking through children's books for presents, and the art made this one stand out. It also promised an anti-bullying message, which I can get behind.
It didn't really deliver, though. The rhyming choice was fine, but the rhymes were all overly simple. Grammar and natural language were occasionally left behind. And the story... Well.
Stick and Stone are both alone and lonely. Then they meet in a not very interesting way. Pinecone makes fun of Stone, but a single word from Stick makes Pinecone go away. Seriously, he just says, "Vanish!" If I could have gotten rid of bullies that way... Then Stick and Stone play some more in a BFF montage, and a tornado whisks away Stick and Pinecone. Stick turns up stuck in a puddle, and Stone saves him. The end.
I don't really see the anti-bully message here. Pinecone being a bully isn't really established, addressed, or even explained. And the storm bit just seems tacked on, like the book wasn't long enough. It could have been longer if it had committed to its anti-bully message. Still, the art is cute, so you can just ignore all of the words. Saying it's a picture book is no excuse. Piggies in the Pumpkin Patch is a picture book about prepositions, with a simple exploration-return-home plot. The writing in that book blows this one out of the water.
"Best friendship." Ugh. Not gifting this book.
May 2, 2015
Sticks and stones can be used to make homes. Stones and sticks can be used to shape words in dirt or sand. Sticks and stones can be used to channel water. Stones and sticks can be used to bring imagined miniature worlds into reality in fields, woodlands or even backyards. With skill they can supply warmth through fire. They hold, hide, mark, filter, and form. They are indispensable.
Together they are better. Stick and Stone (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, April 7, 2015) written by Beth Ferry with illustrations by Tom Lichtenheld introduces us to a stick and a stone who discover the benefits of not being alone. They fashion a friendship, firm and true.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
April 1, 2015
Simple, warm, winning friendship story.
July 10, 2016
I'm sure there are plenty of other picture-books about friendship, but I'm also sure few are as adorable, fun, and relate-able as this one.
May 17, 2019
Loved the illustrations and the easy to read text. Super cute book.
July 16, 2023
Kids books keep coming up on my fyp and I’m here for it lol
September 18, 2019
My 6 year old son loves this book! He is aiming to memorize it (not a reader yet) and practices reading it to us almost every night and then listens intently as we read it to him. It's a sweet story and I am not tired of it yet which says a lot because we have read it and been read to from it every night for about 2 weeks. Today he pulled out some paper and began drawing a book called Tree and Friend where Ax Man tries to cut down Tree and Friend stops him. It's all based on how he sees the Stick Stone book. We picked it up at a used book store for only a few dollars and I'm so glad I said yes!
January 1, 2016
Great book for kids of all ages to show that "sticking" up for your friends "rocks" :-)
June 7, 2018
Opening:
[Holding book in lap] "Students when we think of characters, what are some of our favorite characters from books we've read?" [Allow students to respond] "Well what would you think if our main characters were. . ." [Reveal book from lap] "a stick and a stone? What kind of story could we have about a stick and a stone? Do you think they could be friends?" [Allow responses] "Sticks and stones are very different, but are all of our friends the same as ourselves?" [Wait for group response] That's right, we need many different people to make our life interesting, we don't all want to just spend time with ourselves right? Let's see what happens to Stick and Stone." [Begin reading]
Opening moves & rationalization:
Ask children to make connections to a previously read text
By asking students about their favorite characters from other books you can get students excited by remembering these tales from their past. This can lead them to look forward to the characters in the book they are about to read.
Raise questions to spark curiosity
Students will know what a stone and stick are, but what kind of adventure could they have? How can a rock and stick become friends? Allowing students to grasp with these strange questions can perk their excitement about learning how this came to be.
Lay the groundwork for children's understanding of diverse settings and people
Students will have some experience with seeing people with surface level differences. By pointing out how different a stick and stone are students can get excited to see how a friendship will develop.
[Holding book in lap] "Students when we think of characters, what are some of our favorite characters from books we've read?" [Allow students to respond] "Well what would you think if our main characters were. . ." [Reveal book from lap] "a stick and a stone? What kind of story could we have about a stick and a stone? Do you think they could be friends?" [Allow responses] "Sticks and stones are very different, but are all of our friends the same as ourselves?" [Wait for group response] That's right, we need many different people to make our life interesting, we don't all want to just spend time with ourselves right? Let's see what happens to Stick and Stone." [Begin reading]
Opening moves & rationalization:
Ask children to make connections to a previously read text
By asking students about their favorite characters from other books you can get students excited by remembering these tales from their past. This can lead them to look forward to the characters in the book they are about to read.
Raise questions to spark curiosity
Students will know what a stone and stick are, but what kind of adventure could they have? How can a rock and stick become friends? Allowing students to grasp with these strange questions can perk their excitement about learning how this came to be.
Lay the groundwork for children's understanding of diverse settings and people
Students will have some experience with seeing people with surface level differences. By pointing out how different a stick and stone are students can get excited to see how a friendship will develop.
August 18, 2019
Lonely Stick and solitary Stone become friends in this sing-song picture-book about friendship and loyalty. After Stick stands up for Stone against Pinecone the bully, the two become an inseparable pair. Then a storm sends Stick flying, and it is Stone's turn to come to the rescue...
Author Beth Ferry, who made her picture-book debut with Stick and Stone, delivers a simple rhyming text - no more than a few words per page - that works quite well with illustrator Tom Lichtenheld's pencil and watercolor artwork. I liked the interplay here between word and image, as round Stone is described as a zero and narrow Stick as a one, but together they make a (perfect, one presumes) ten. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories about bullying, friendship, and loyalty for the younger picture-book set.
Author Beth Ferry, who made her picture-book debut with Stick and Stone, delivers a simple rhyming text - no more than a few words per page - that works quite well with illustrator Tom Lichtenheld's pencil and watercolor artwork. I liked the interplay here between word and image, as round Stone is described as a zero and narrow Stick as a one, but together they make a (perfect, one presumes) ten. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories about bullying, friendship, and loyalty for the younger picture-book set.
November 12, 2019
When Stick rescues Stone from a prickly situation with a Pinecone, the pair becomes fast friends. But when Stick gets stuck, can Stone return the favor?
Author Beth Ferry makes a memorable debut with a warm, rhyming text that includes a subtle anti-bullying message even the youngest reader will understand. New York Times bestselling illustrator Tom Lichtenheld imbues Stick and Stone with energy, emotion, and personality to spare.
In this funny story about kindness and friendship, Stick and Stone join George and Martha, Frog and Toad, and Elephant and Piggie, as some of the best friend duos in children’s literature.
Story about friendship
Friendship and fun shine throughout the pictures
Author Beth Ferry makes a memorable debut with a warm, rhyming text that includes a subtle anti-bullying message even the youngest reader will understand. New York Times bestselling illustrator Tom Lichtenheld imbues Stick and Stone with energy, emotion, and personality to spare.
In this funny story about kindness and friendship, Stick and Stone join George and Martha, Frog and Toad, and Elephant and Piggie, as some of the best friend duos in children’s literature.
Story about friendship
Friendship and fun shine throughout the pictures
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2017
This book was a sweet and "oh" so well written book about friendship, what it means and how it can change your life for the better.
The sentences are shorts and perfectly matched the illustrations, one page after the other. We absolutely loved reading it and cannot wait to add it to our own library!
The sentences are shorts and perfectly matched the illustrations, one page after the other. We absolutely loved reading it and cannot wait to add it to our own library!
March 8, 2018
I enjoyed this book a lot. I think the rhyming throughout the book, was my favorite part. The pictures in the book also were very well illustrated. I think this is a great book for children to understand what a rhyme is. It can also be a book for lesson also.
June 23, 2015
Super cute, and great book about friendship. I absolutely love the pictures. Can't wait to read this one to a group.
May 18, 2020
Simple and amusing. Didn't think it would work -- and it wasn't entirely successful -- but bonus star for carrying off the story of a stick and a stone as well as it did.
July 6, 2022
Super short bedtime story about friendship for little kids. Most pages have 1-2 words. No plot, but the art is calming and it's a good book to wind down with.
January 2, 2023
اگر بدون نوشته بود بهنظرم بهتر بود...
یا ایراد از ترجمه بود...
یکی از اینا و زیاد خوشم نیومد.
تکراری هم بود.
یا ایراد از ترجمه بود...
یکی از اینا و زیاد خوشم نیومد.
تکراری هم بود.
May 1, 2024
Really short with not many words per page at all
June 28, 2016
“Stick and Stone” is a brilliant picture book for students aged 4 - 7.
The book tells the story of Stick and Stone; both of them are alone. Along comes Pinecone, who makes fun of (“needles”) Stone. But Stick defends Stone, Pinecone leaves, and Stick and Stone become the best of friends.
This book will engage young readers and present many possibilities for discussion. Children will love the wordplay, for example, about Stick sticking up for his friend. The author also plays with language to make rhyme (Stick is in a puddle, stuck in the “muddle”). There’s also a lovely visual joke about stick and stone making a “perfect 10” when they are next to each other.
This book not only has a cute, engaging story, but can teach children about wordplay, rhyme, humor, and could even prompt a discussion about bullying and the importance of sticking up for friends.
The book tells the story of Stick and Stone; both of them are alone. Along comes Pinecone, who makes fun of (“needles”) Stone. But Stick defends Stone, Pinecone leaves, and Stick and Stone become the best of friends.
This book will engage young readers and present many possibilities for discussion. Children will love the wordplay, for example, about Stick sticking up for his friend. The author also plays with language to make rhyme (Stick is in a puddle, stuck in the “muddle”). There’s also a lovely visual joke about stick and stone making a “perfect 10” when they are next to each other.
This book not only has a cute, engaging story, but can teach children about wordplay, rhyme, humor, and could even prompt a discussion about bullying and the importance of sticking up for friends.
November 29, 2015
Stick and Stone is the perfect picture book for teaching children about using words that uplift versus words that hurt. It communicates how to look out for friends and take a stand and how friendship should be a balance of give and take. The simple language and rhyming words make it easy for young children to understand; yet the message is a very powerful one. Even though there are few words on each page, Stick and Stone introduces vocabulary such as "vanish, wander, explore, and laze" to a younger audience. This book exemplifies a story of true friendship, and helping one another. Even when a disaster occurs, the two friends find each other again. I would use Stick and Stone to start a conversation with my class about how to treat others, and teach new vocabulary in context.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 724 reviews