Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Sticky Burr: Adventures in Burrwood Forest
Graphic Novel Series
For ages 6 to 8
Candlewick Press, 2007 ISBN: 978-0763630546
Meet Sticky Burr. Sticky lives in a village in Burrwood forest with a lot of other burrs. Sticky lives in a little house which is attached to the side of a tree and unlike the other burrs he loves to paint and play the ukulele. He does not like to do “prickly” things like “chase squirrels and stick in their fur.” One day a group of the other burrs begin to pick on Sticky because of his preference for art and music instead of “prickly” pursuits. They chase him into the forest where Sticky finally finds refuge in the company of his best friend Draffle the Dragonfly.
Unfortunately the two friends soon get into trouble. When they anger a hive of wasps they are forced to hide in a tunnel in the trunk of the legendary Maze Tree. Inside the tree they meet a group of fireflies who have been lost inside maze of tunnels for weeks. Together the fireflies, the dragonfly, and Sticky manage to find a way out of the tunnels. The leader of the fireflies – who happens to be a queen – is so grateful that she promises to come to Sticky’s aid should he call for her.
Worn out by his adventure Sticky goes back to his village only to discover something terrible has happened in his absence. Sticky has to save his village before it is too late!
In this delightful graphic novel type picture book the author not only tells the story of Sticky’s extraordinary adventure, but he also provides his readers with all kinds of fascinating information about burr life and lore. Readers will learn about Sticky’s insect friends, dangers to burrs, the Maze Tree, and more. They also get to read one edition of “The Burrwood Gazette” complete with its “Events” and “Advertisements” sections.
