Stick Man
Stick Man's constant, loud self-introduction is a fun hook that children will start shouting along with. It’s a charming, rhyming tale about a character trying to find his way back home.
Stick Man by Julia Donaldson is estimated to take about 9 minutes to read aloud (731 words, about 3 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 3-6.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 9 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 731Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 3Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 4/5repeat friendly
- Vocabulary level
- 3/5a few new words
- Best for
- Ages 3-6Our editorial fit
Our review
The humor comes from the various misunderstandings about what Stick Man is. This allows children to spot the "joke" before the characters do, making them feel quite clever.
It is a solid choice for the three-to-six age group. The rhythmic text makes it easy to follow, even if you’re reading it for the twentieth time.
Before you buy it
A significant portion of the story involves Stick Man being separated from his family and facing a fire. This middle section can be genuinely upsetting for some children.
Themes
- family
- seasons
- christmas
- rhyme
Books like Stick Man
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
The Gruffaloabout 8.5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Room on the Broomabout 10 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Are You My Mother?about 8 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
The Little Engine That Couldabout 13 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
The Night Before Christmasabout 6.5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read Stick Man aloud?
About 9 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 731. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is Stick Man actually for?
Ages 3-6 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 3 sentences a page and vocabulary at 3 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does Stick Man survive being read on repeat?
Yes. It survives a fortnight of nightly repeats, which is the real test.
Is Stick Man 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, and it asks the child questions to answer out loud. Those three features are what keep a wriggling toddler listening, far more than the subject matter does.
Will my child memorise Stick Man?
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 Man on their own?
Not yet. At vocabulary level 3 out of 5 and 3 sentences a page, it is a read-aloud book rather than a first solo read. Read it to them now, and hand it over in a year or two.
What themes does Stick Man cover?
We tag it with family, seasons, christmas and rhyme. 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.
Lists Stick Man is on
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- 8 reviewed booksBooks Like The GruffaloFind books like The Gruffalo featuring clever heroes, tight rhymes, and engaging plots. Includes word counts and estimated read-aloud times.
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