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Description
Stickler, the woodland creature from the mind of award-winning author-illustrator Lane Smith, returns to celebrate Valentine's Day by giving his friends his favorite gift: sticks. A humorous and witty friendship story that encourages kindness and empathy.
Stickler, a one-of-a-kind creature made of sticks, is giving his friends Valentine's Day sticks, but none of them are interested in Valentine's sticks. Crow says he prefers fine, shiny things, Beaver likes receiving funny cards, and Wolf doesn't care for Valentine's sticks - they're too small to chew on! When Stickler tries to offer Cat a Valentine stick, she does not want one. "Hmm..." he wonders, "Maybe Valentine's Day is not about what Stickler loves, but what others love."
Stickler has an idea: he will give Cat a gift he knows she wants.
Lane Smith, the award-winning illustrator of Giraffe Problems and The Stinky Cheese Man, presents a story about showing friendship and and being thoughtful with humor and wit. Featuring the return of the irresistible Stickler (first seen in A Gift for Nana), this lighthearted picture book celebrates the ways we show kindness and love in gestures big or small.
Publication date
December 02, 2025
Genre
Fiction
Page Count
32
ISBN-13
9798217025350
Lexile Measure
440
Publisher
Random House Studio
Series
A Stickler Story
Universe
Stickler
BISAC categories
JUV039050 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings JUV002000 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | General JUV017070 - Juvenile Fiction | Holidays & Celebrations | Valentine's Day
Booklist
A visual treat for readers. Once again, Stickler's irrepressible expressions and radiant joy, set within a softly rendered world, are sure to deliver tenderness at the right time of year.
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 2--Smith's signature illustration style shines in this sweet and quirky Valentine's Day tale. Stickler, "a one-of-a-kind creature," returns with his usual charm and earnestness. Hoping to share a stick for Valentine's Day, Stickler searches for another creature who might appreciate his gift. However, each animal he meets prefers something else like cards, jewelry, or flowers, leaving Stickler disheartened. When he comes across his friend Cat, she seems sad. He remembers that she likes flowers for Valentine's Day and realizes that giving something she would enjoy might be better than giving what he likes. With a heartwarming flourish, Stickler grows a flower from his head, much to Cat's delight. The story ends a bit abruptly, and readers may wish for an extended ending. Still, the humor, heart, and vivid visuals make this a worthwhile addition to holiday collections. It's also refreshing to see a Valentine's book that doesn't rely solely on pink, red, and hearts on every page. Smith's latest in the "A Stickler Story Series" continues to impress with artwork that's both visually striking and unmistakably his own--cool, textured, and full of character. VERDICT A whimsical holiday read with standout artwork, recommended for most collections.--Melanie Leivers
Copyright 2025 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Lane Smith is the award-winning author of 2012 Caldecott Honor book Grandpa Green, as well as It's a Book, and the middle-grade novel Return to Augie Hobble, among others. In 2012, the Eric Carle Museum named him a Carle Artist for lifelong innovation in the field of children's picture books, and in 2014, he was awarded the lifetime achievement award from the Society of Illustrators. In 2017, he was awared the Kate Greenaway Medal for There is a Tribe of Kids. He lives in an old house in Connecticut with the designer Molly Leach, pondering the goings-on in his own backyard.
