Looking for a children’s book that teaches friendship without preachiness? Stick and Stone (2015) by Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld nails it. This cozy tale introduces Stick, a twig with clumsy energy, and Stone, his grounded buddy. When Stick gets bullied by Pinecone (yep, a literal pinecone!), Stone steps in—a small act that sparks a lasting bond. Ferry’s rhymes have a casual bounce, almost like she’s chatting with kids rather than lecturing. Lichtenheld’s illustrations deserve a shoutout too; his wobbly pencil lines give Stick hilarious “bad hair day” vibes.

Parents report kids ages 3-7 begging for repeat readings, especially for scenes where Stick sweeps away leaves (with his branch-arms) or Stone rolls downhill. The book avoids cheesy morals, opting instead for subtle humor. A 2016 Parent’s Choice Award winner, it pairs well with Ferry’s later book Landslide or Lichtenheld’s Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site. Teachers sometimes use it for anti-bullying talks—notice how Pinecone isn’t vilified, just told to “leave them be.” Want a typo-free edition? Skip the 2019 reprint (some copies misalign pages 14-15).