Monday 9 November 2015

Happy Christmas 2015 from Stick Man (Children's Story by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler).

Stick Man is written and illustrated by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. They are a prolific pairing who have created over 20 of our best loved children's books together, including The Gruffalo, Zog, Room On The Broom and The Snail & The Whale.

Stick Man Gift Edition Book Review Julia Donaldson

Stick Man is exactly as old as my 7 year old and it really is a top 5 favourite book in our house. I was delighted to discover that this year Magic Light Pictures have created an animated film version to be the big BBC TV children's Christmas Story Of 2015.

Previous Christmas animated stories by Oscar-nominated film producers Magic Light Pictures have been beautifully done, including The Gruffalo starring James Corden and The Gruffalo's Child starring Shirley Henderson.

Stick Man BBC children's animated Christmas movie

Stick Man will star the voice talents of Martin Freeman, Hugh Bonneville, Jennifer Saunders, Russell Tovey, Rob Brydon and Sally Hawkins.

If you haven't yet read Stick Man, it is a festive story book and Christmas is important to the plot. A sad tale in parts, but it's a children's story and it ends well. Written mainly in rhyming couplets, it's memorable and repetitive, so it is a lovely book for younger children to 'read along' with you, before they can actually read the words written on the page.

"Stick Man lives in the family tree
With his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three."

Stick Man is going about his everyday life when he isaccidentally mistaken for a plain old stick, and finds himself on a string of adventures, meeting lots of different characters as he tries to find his way home. He even meets up with, and has a helping hand from, Santa Claus himself.

Stick Man BBC children's animated Christmas movie book review

Stick Man is a story about helping strangers, but it's mainly about family and home and all that it means to us personally. It is perfect for Christmas time and embodies the true spirit of Christmas for me. Suitable for anyone over around 18 months, I love to read this book snuggled with my children, and it's remained a firm favourite throughout the last 5 years or so.

To celebrate being the animated children's book Children's Christmas Story of 2015, Scholastic Children's Books have released a new range of Stick Man books including Gift Hardback Edition Book (£12.99), Sticker Activity Book (£3.99), Sound Book £14.99) and Cased Board Book (£6.99)

Stick Man board book gift books julia Donaldson Axel schefflerStick Man noisy gift books julia Donaldson Axel scheffler

We were sent a new hardback gift edition Stick Man book to review, with a great reversible poster cover. The gift edition is A4 sized, beautifully made with extra illustrations on the cover and glossy inside pages with nice bright images. The illustration is sensitive and full of animation, and the words are thoughtful and teach children (and some adults) empathy. The poster is a gorgeous bonus, although I'm loathe to actually put it on the wall!

Stick Man gift edition children's book Axel Scheffler illustrator

Available now priced £12.99, the gift edition of Stick Man is a beautiful book which hopefully will find it's way into the stockings of many children this year. Just be careful to check the logs before you light a fire this Winter...in case Stick Man is having a nap....

To find out more about Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler and all of the characters they have co-created, as well as Julia's other work, visit the Julia Donaldson website.

If you fancy the outdoors this Winter then Stick Man Trails are coming to Forestry Commission sites all over the UK from December - find out more on the Forestry Commission website.  

12 comments:

  1. This is one of our favourite Julia Donaldson books, too, and I am so looking forward to the Christmas show - I am, let alone the kids!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :D you and me both. Never mind the children, it'll be me sat on the sofa ready!

      Delete
  2. We're going to see Stick Man on stage this weekend - and I'm VERY excited about this film adaptation. I'm sure my children will love it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh, yes, the poster is a fabulous bonus to go with a fabulous book. Thanks for the review.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome. It is a lovely poster, I am scared to put it on the wall and subject it to blue tack and sticky fingers though! :)

      Delete
  4. My kids all love Stickman, especially my youngest son. Will definitely be adding these to his stocking this year xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's one of the few books we read again and again and none of us mind at all - usually at least 1 person says 'no' :)

      Delete
  5. This is also one of our favourites, such a lovely book. We're really pleased that Stickman will be the latest Forestry Commission trail too - so apt. A perfect book to give to any young child.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! I keep meaning to add a Forestry Commision link! Thanks Mary :D

      Delete
  6. We love Stick Man. I will certainly be recording the movie. The Gruffalo was on last year and I thought my little ones would wear it out

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww. We still have The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child on the Sky Box - they really were awesome :)

      Delete

Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I read every one and try my best to reply!