Welcome to Perfect Picture Book Friday, Everyone!

Today we have a very important matter to debate: which is better? Sticks or stones?

I know you can’t wait to find out what the answer is, so let’s jump right in to this delightful book!

Title: Sticks vs. Stones

Written By: Rosanne Kurstedt

Illustrated By: Agnes Saccani

Publisher: WorthyKids, March 12, 2024, fiction

Suitable For Ages: 4-7

Themes/Topics: childhood fight, differing points of view, likes and dislikes

text copyright Rosanne Kurstedt 2024, illustration copyright Agnes Saccani 2024, Worthy Kids

Opening:
“George and Georgina are friends.
“Let’s play with sticks. They’re the best,” says Georgina.
Really? I think stones are the best,” says George.”

text copyright Rosanne Kurstedt 2024, illustration copyright Agnes Saccani 2024, Worthy Kids

Brief Synopsis: [from the publisher] “When best friends George and Georgina disagree over which is better, their argument escalates to shouts of “I don’t want to be your friend!” “No, I don’t want to be your friend!”, until two new friends show them a better way.”

Links To Resources: Check out this fun activity supplied by author Rosanne Kurstedt!

In Sticks vs. Stones George and Georgina come to realize that building with sticks AND stones is better than just choosing one. So, here’s a fun activity for you.

Materials

1. A clean flat surface
2. A bag of marshmallows (large are easier)
3. A bag of thin pretzel sticks

What to do

1. Gather materials.
2. For practice, connect the marshmallows and pretzels to make a shape.
3. Now connect the marshmallows and pretzels to build a tower.
4. See how tall you can make it.
5. Measure the height of your tower.
6. Take a picture.
7. Email it to me (rlkurstedt@gmail.com) so I can share it with others.

Challenge: Build a thrown or a structure of your own.

text copyright Rosanne Kurstedt 2024, illustration copyright Agnes Saccani 2024, Worthy Kids

Why I Like This Book: George and Georgina are friends. Georgina suggest playing with sticks. George thinks stones would be a better idea. Their playdate goes downhill for a while after that as each insists that their choice is the superior one until they are finally so annoyed with each other that they decide they don’t want to be friends. If you have children, or have ever been anywhere near them, you will understand instantly why this book is so perfect! It’s a typical childhood fight complete with the high emotion that tends to accompany such disagreements. The text is composed of very few words, but they are just the right ones to both tell the story and convey the humor inherent in the situation. And in the end, George and Georgina realize that working together is more fun then being right. Why not play with sticks and stones?! Young readers will take away the idea that people can like different things and still be friends, and also learn that it’s important to consider other people’s point of view. The art has a clean, fresh look that allows the stick and stone structures to stand out, and the kids’ facial expressions show very clearly how they are feeling. A fun (and sneakily educational 😊) read!

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊