A Stick Is an Excellent Thing

A paean to play from an award-winning poet and a New York Times best-selling illustrator. The trappings of childhood change from generation to generation, but there are some timeless activities that every kid loves. Marilyn Singer and LeUyen Pham celebrate these universal types of play, from organized games such as hide-and-seek and hopscotch to imaginative play such as making mud soup or turning a stick into a magic wand. Lyrical poems and bold illustrations capture the energy of a group of children in one neighborhood as they amuse themselves over the course of a summer day. At a time when childhood obesity rates are soaring and money is tight for many families, here is a book that invites readers to join in the fun of active play with games that cost nothing.

What magic can you find in your own backyard?

• Classic Childhood Games: From the thrill of hide-and-seek to the simple joy of hopscotch, these poems capture the universal games every generation knows and loves.
• Backyard Adventures: Discover how a simple stick can become a magic wand and a patch of dirt transforms into the perfect spot for mud soup.
• Perfect for Reading Aloud: Lyrical, rhythmic verses are designed to be shared, making this a wonderful book for parents and children to enjoy together.
• Outdoor Play: Follow a group of neighborhood friends from morning to dusk as they fill a summer day with laughter and imaginative fun that costs nothing at all.