Just in time for National Poetry Month we have the picture book A Stick Is an Excellent Thing: Poems Celebrating Outdoor Play by Marilyn Singer and illustrated by LeUyen Pham. 
“School is done.
It’s a sunny day.
Goodbye, TV.
Let’s go out and play!”
Marilyn Singer’s poems are fast-paced, upbeat, and succinct. She effortlessly creates the rhythm and energy of children at play.
LeUyen Pham’s watercolors also capture the joy of children playing outdoors. All the children are smiling, laughing, moving.
It is easy to get caught up in nostalgia reading these poems. Remember the joys of blowing bubbles, playing with jacks or jumping rope? The reality is, however, that many children will never have the memories we adults take for granted because they don’t have many opportunities to go outside and play. Hopefully this book will inspire them to do just that.
Spring is a perfect time to read A Stick Is an Excellent Thing and then go outside and enjoy some of the activities pictured. When they come back inside, perhaps it will also entice children to read and enjoy poetry, and even write their own poems.
(Personal Note: Kudos to Singer for suggesting children release their fireflies after only a minute or two.)
Reading level: Ages 4 and up
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Clarion Books (February 28, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0547124937
ISBN-13: 978-0547124933
Nonfiction Monday is a blogging celebration of nonfiction books for kids. We invite you to join us. For more information and a schedule, stop by Booktalking to see who is hosting each week.
Today’s round-up is at Rasco From RIF.
I will be sure to seek this out and get it for my classroom kids…they will LOVE it. Thanks for sharing!