Clever Stick

by Lechner John M.

The stick had always been clever: it solved difficult problems, enjoyed poetry, and pondered the music of birds and the beauty of a rose. The one thing it couldn't do was speak. And because of this, no one could see that the stick was clever; all they could see was a stick.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Writing

40 pages, Hardcover

First published July 28, 2009

Reviews

[Abigail]

There was once a stick who liked to solve complicated mathematical problems, compose poetry, and observe the natural world. "Ever since he had fallen off the tree, he had been sharp." But for all his smarts, the stick did not know how to communicate with others, and seemed doomed to remain alone. Until he realized that there was a way to make himself heard after all...

With simple but expressive ink and watercolor illustrations, John Lechner's The Clever Stick is a parable about the need for community. It is also a thoughtful exploration of the ways in which we communicate with others, how our individual modes of expression are often a reflection of who we are. Recommended especially for young children who are struggling to find their voice.

[Stacy]

I will never look at a stick in the same way again! This delightful tale of a stick that cannot communicate his ideas with the world and struggles with acceptance, finds his voice in a completely original and unexpected way. A great moral for any reader, and it's filled with loads of figurative language such as: personification, metaphors & similes. A clever stick indeed!

[Tina]

I liked it but the kids were like eh.

[Ashley Perry]

Summary: This book is about a really smart stick. The stick can easily solve all types of problems. The stick has one major problem: he cannot speak. Everyone around the stick see's just a typical stick. Even the stick starts doubting his cleverness because he cannot express his thought. Until he reveals a talent even he didn't know he had: drawing!

Evaluation: The illustrations in the book help readers easily identify what is happening in the story. The words in the story are easy for young children to understand.

Teaching Point: This book would be a great read-aloud at the beginning of the school year. The teacher could use the book to introduce using picture clues when reading.

[Amy Layton]

This was such a sweet book all about discovering your talents and finding one's voice.  It allows for creativity, patience, intelligence, and more to be respected and combined.  The drawings are fun and bright, and they certainly helped me relate much more than I thought I could to an inanimate(?) object.  Overall, a great book to add to one's collection, and a great book to read aloud to your little one.

Review cross-listed here!

[Jessica]

A sharp little stick falls off a tree. He enjoys the world around him, but cannot communicate with them to share his thoughts and ideas... Until one day, sadly dragging himself home through the sand, he notices that he can scratch lines into the sand. Then he creates the most magnificent mural the world has ever seen and draws all the animals attention to him.

[Todd Russell]

I thought this was a great play on the hurdles that some can have & the search to work through them to find your voice.. The vocabulary is a bit advanced & would need some pre teaching to assist readers.

[Alissa]

This book may be a little confusing for younger readers but it had a beautiful message! It explained that although the stick didn’t have a voice to use to share his cleverness, he would eventually found the best way to ‘speak’ in a way that works for him.

[KieraK]

A delightful tail about finding one's voice.

[Danielle]

When you don’t have a voice, how do you find yours? For a lonely stick who travels throughout the forest admiring the world around this is his one desire. He lacks a way to share his thoughts and enthusiasm, to reach out to the others in his world. It’s only by a happy accident that he discovers his voice by dragging his way through the sand. Once he’s discovered a way to share the Clever Stick never goes back, he’s forever changed. With new friends and an exciting new way to express himself he looks forward to a bright future.

This is such wonderful book. Especially for young readers trying to find their own voice. With a surge of new readers using picture books in middle grade and high school curriculum’s I could see this book being added to the list easily. It tackles an often tough subject for nearly every person. I know that even as a reviewer and blogger I’ve struggled to find the best way to express how I feel about books and the other things I write about. But what The Clever Stick shows is what truly matters is that you express yourself in the best way you know how, by being yourself and enjoying it. When you can accomplish that you discover a happiness just by being you. It’s fantastic! A message children especially will be able to relate to.

Coupled with the beautiful illustrations, John Lechner’s book The Clever Stick tackles a tough subject with grace. Showing readers that it may be difficult to find out who you really are, but in the end it is worth it. And more often than not, those that see you for who you really are will appreciate you that much more. A brilliant picture book that reaches beyond the young readers it was initially targeted for, nearly anyone who reads The Clever Stick will relate to this simple character’s journey.

Originally reviewed & copyrighted on my site, There's A Book.

[Storywraps]

Who would believe that an ordinary, unassuming stick could become the main character in a children's storybook? This creative, uplifting fable is perfect to share with your kids. Lechner's words and story are lyrical and feel just like a modern day fairytale. It is a wonderful read- aloud to share together.

The author writes: " Ever since he had fallen off the tree, he had been sharp. (that line got my attention right away, yes, a smart stick). He would sit in the sand and think up all sorts of clever things. He would float down the stream, making up poetry. He would listen to the singing of the birds and wonder what made it sound so beautiful." Stick was very observant, but his problem was he had no voice, he was mute, therefore he could not communicate with those around him much to his chagrin.

Lechner proposes a brilliant solution for Stick, allotting him not only to discover his voice but to discover a deeper meaning to his life by being able to leave his mark on his world. The artwork is subdued and beautifully done. The book has many ideas and opportunities for you to discuss the importance of self-expression and the value of communicating and writing. You can also explore the significance of flexibility and providence. It encourages kids to enhance their gifts and talents and to have fun with the possibilities. It is a perfect book for the beach or for a snowy day...read... then introduce your child to his/her personal voice stick and have your child playfully respond to his/her world by writing in the sand or on the snow. Highly recommended.

[Rachel]

K-3rd-Follow the journey of a stick that tries to make his presence be known. Without a voice the stick is unable to share all the clever things that he comes up with. With his sharp skills he could solve any difficult math problem, write poetry, or help others with their problems. But who would even notice a stick? Unable to share his thoughts with the forest creatures the clever stick drags himself home. Soon he discovers that the lines that he has created make some interesting drawings. Check out a copy of The Clever Stick to see the magnificent masterpiece that he creates for the forest. - Review by Cindy Tran

[Jan Rue]

Written & Illustrated by John Lechner, 2009. This book was recommended to me from my 5th grader, Julia. It is a very clever book which makes kids think about simple everyday items possibly in a different way. The stick is very clever and has loads of ideas & thoughts but doesn't know how to tell others about them. He doesn't have a mouth to speak. However, he finally realizes he can express himself by drawing in the dirt, telling the other creatures what has been in his head all along. It is a great story about communication and to think about the many different forms there are which people can use to communicate. The art work is done in ink & watercolor. Cute book!

[Jack]

I drew a story of one who can't speak, finding a voice. The stick has much to say and is deep. Because the stick has no way to communicate the exterior world sees only a piece of wood, with no consciousness or identity. The story is a good start on multiple conversations with young children on perceptions and reality, on assumptions and truth, and on finding your own voice. John Lechner visits our local public library this summer and will discuss his books with children and parents.

[Maxwell]

The lonely stick has things to say but no one understands. Finally he breaks through when he figures out how to draw. This is a good book to read with Harold and the Purple Crayon or a book if you are talking about people without language. Something to help talk about a non verbal person who still has the same feelings and ideas but no way to show it.

[Jill Pickle]

This sweet (but not saccharine) fable tells the story of Stick, who is the most clever stick he knows. But nobody else knows it because, duh, sticks can't talk. How will he finally be able to express himself? Clue: the answer's on the cover! The Clever Stick is a great story for creative souls, those who are just figuring out how best to communicate, and stick lovers!

[Alice]

I like this book on many levels! It reminds me a quote that "It may take second for what it took you year to build...build anyway" That is what the stick is about...he/she/it? Finds out what he is best at, what his destiny is and he tries to fulfill it. I liked this book all the way around from story, message to pictures!

[Audrey]

The story of knowing one's own value, but having it go unnoticed until finally one finds her/his own inner voice is a classic. This book tells that story in a fun, clever way, and I think kids will appreciate the message.

[Kate]

Absolutely loved this story.....so much, I might ask for it for Christmas! As the title says, it really is a clever stick and such a clever story. This book had me laughing, and while the humor might pass over the head of small children, my 9 year old was right there laughing with me.

[Christen]

What a sweet story, it reminds me of the cartoon "The Dot and the Line: A Romance in Lower Mathematics". This would be a great school age storytime program, where you could get them to make up poems and draw them.

[The Brothers]

A clever stick discovers he has a big problem when he falls from his tree. He has so much to say to all the creatures and plants of the forest, but now way to say it. Eventually, because he is so clever, he figures out a way to have a voice.

Cute illustrations.

[Miss Kelly]

Nice feel good book about a stick who wants to talk but cannot talk. However the stick is a very clever and learns to communicate with others...read the book and find out how. Book with a moral. He also wrote A FROGGY FABLE which I want to read next.

[Samantha Hastings]

The name tells the story...it is a story about a clever stick who can't say all the great things he thinks. He eventually figures out a way to communicate. Fun. Pictures are good.

[Susan]

This felt very William Steig-ish to me...probably why I liked it so much!

[Marianna]

A simple story with a moral that isn't preachy.

[Heather Ledet]

A clever stick finally finds a way to express himself.
If your writer needs to find a "voice" is a nice introduction.

[Linda Costello]

Great book about how a stick expresses itself. Very creative.

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy)]

A stick has a lot to say but no way to communicate until one day he discovers that he can say quite a bit.

[Kendra]

The story of a clever stick who can't talk - but finds his own way to express himself. The kids and I all really enjoyed it. I recommend it.

[Bree]

Notes:
stick learns to draw in order to communicate
kids were impressed by the stick's 'tapestry' but not much else