Stick and Stone
A Stick and a Stone become friends in a rhyming story about standing up for one another. When a pinecone starts being unkind, the bond between the two shapes is tested and strengthened.
Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry is estimated to take about 3 minutes to read aloud (152 words, about 1 sentence a page), and it lands best with children aged 2-5.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 3 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 152Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 1Sentence per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 4/5repeat friendly
- Vocabulary level
- 2/5everyday words
- Best for
- Ages 2-5Our editorial fit
Our review
Written in short, rhyming couplets, this is a very accessible book for younger children. The simplicity of the language makes it easy to follow, even for those just beginning to read.
It is a gentle story about friendship and the importance of having someone in your corner. The short length also makes it perfect for toddlers with shorter attention spans.
Themes
- friendship
- standing up
- rhyme
- being alone
- shapes
Books like Stick and Stone
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friendabout 4.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Should I Share My Ice Cream?about 3.5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Frog and Toad Are Friendsabout 22 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Giraffes Can't Danceabout 6 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
The Bad Seedabout 6 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read Stick and Stone aloud?
About 3 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 152. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is Stick and Stone actually for?
Ages 2-5 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 1 sentence a page and vocabulary at 2 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does Stick and Stone survive being read on repeat?
Yes. It survives a fortnight of nightly repeats, which is the real test.
Is Stick and Stone a good book for a child who will not sit still?
It helps that it rhymes, and it has a refrain a child can join in with. Those three features are what keep a wriggling toddler listening, far more than the subject matter does.
Will my child memorise Stick and Stone?
Probably, and fast. The book leans on a repeated refrain, and at 4 out of 5 for re-read tolerance it survives the nightly repeats that get a book memorised. Expect your child to chant the pattern back before they can actually read.
Can a beginning reader read Stick and Stone on their own?
It is closer than most picture books. With 1 sentence a page and plain vocabulary (2 out of 5), a confident early reader can attempt it, though it is written to be read aloud first.
What themes does Stick and Stone cover?
We tag it with friendship, standing up, rhyme, being alone and shapes. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
