The Stick Book Review

 Li'l Man loves to play outdoors. He has an incredible imagination, and there are moments when I watch through the kitchen window when I wonder what character he has become. Even if he is isolated in a small area, he can take the ordinary and find a new life for it while he sits. His favorite things are sticks. Any kind will do.

The stick has always been something boys (and girls) have gravitated towards. After all, it's natural. It's all purpose. It's free, and it's only limited by the imagination. As New York's Strong National Museum of Play pointed out when they selected a stick for inclusion in their National Toy Hall of Fame, 'It can be a Wild West horse, a medieval knight's sword, a boat on a stream, or a slingshot with a rubber band . . .

If the imagination doesn't propel you enough, Fiona Danks and Jo Schofield have created a book, The Stick Book, Loads of Things You Can Make or Do with a Stick. Inside its covers are suggestions, adventures, and creative play, all using a stick. There's woodcraft, conservation, music and more. Dozens of activities, games, and crafts with the spotlight on the stick!

I LOVE this book. First off, it has pictures--full-color pictures. We're talking about almost every activity highlighted with a color photograph! It sorta makes you want to squee, doesn't it!

In addition to the photographs, there's a page of instructions--but it's mostly just for inspiration.

The book also ranks the activities based on how many sticks you want to use...from one to three. Three is sorta of like the black diamond area, as these require adult supervision.

I'm packing this book in our camping bin for entertainment. The children can play (Winnie the) Pooh sticks or make a loom for outdoor weaving. We can set up camp with a sun clock, and if Jake comes along, we'll build him a one-string guitar!

This book will bring the outdoors to life as children discover the beauty in the outdoors at the heel of the stick!

Here are just some of the suggested uses for a stick:

• Make a fire
• Cook over a fire
• Build a den
• Make a DIY tent
• Make a staff
• Make a stick sword
• Make a catapult
• Make an ancient spear-thrower and a spear
• Make a bow and arrows
• Make a pea-shooter
• Magic sticks
• Make a star wand
• Make a wizard's wand
• Make scavenging sticks
• Make a witch's broomstick
• Make a wiggly snake
• Make shadow pictures
• Make stick characters

There are even more things you can do! Take a peek at the pages of The Stick Book and find your next adventure!

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”