Stickler Loves the World by Lane Smith
Published by Random House on 08/22/2023
ISBN: 0593649834
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

Stickler is a uniquely optimistic woodland creature, who sings the praise of all the overlooked & underappreciated wonders of the world, especially – you guessed it – sticks! Brown ones, knobby ones, and knobby brown ones alike!

While eagerly heading to show its jaded friend, Crow, some particularly impressive sticks, Stickler comes across a tin-can wearing alien, who must be freshly arrived on Earth and unaware of the beauty it contains! With gusto, Stickler takes on the challenge of showing its new friend the marvels its world has to offer – from the sunshine beaming down, to the wind rushing by, the flowers, the ocean, rocks and fish, the colors of the sunset – and of course, sticks! After Stickler’s tour de force, it’s revealed that our alien was Stickler’s good friend Crow stuck in the can all along. Stickler is afraid it has bored Crow by showing them things they’ve already seen, but Crow was thrilled to see the magic of the world as viewed by Stickler.

Natural, flowing illustrations don’t just jump off the page, they reach out and invite the reader to step into the story to take this journey right alongside Stickler and Crow.

An enchanting story with a wonderful message to enjoy the world around us ferociously & never stop sharing our enthusiasm, this book will be adored by preschoolers, elementary schoolers, & adults alike. Another must have from Lane Smith!

Reviewed by Paiten Price – Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth, ME