A Stickler Valentine

By Lane Smith

Hardcover

Published on Dec 2, 2025 | 32 Pages

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Ebook

Published on Dec 2, 2025 | 32 Pages

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Audiobook Download

Published on Dec 2, 2025 | 0 Hours 5 Minutes

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Grades Preschool – 3
Ages 4–8

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 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.

"Smith....continues to impress with artwork that’s both visually striking and unmistakably his own—cool, textured, and full of character. A whimsical holiday read." —School Library Journal

"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." —Booklist

ISBN 9798217025350 (Hardcover)
Published on Dec 2, 2025
Published by Random House Studio
Pages 32
Dimensions 11 x 8-1/2
Age Range 4-8 years
Grade Preschool - 3
Reading Level Lexile: 440L | Fountas/Pinnell: M

ISBN 9798217025367 (Hardcover Library Binding)
Published on Dec 2, 2025
Published by Random House Studio
Pages 32
Dimensions 11 x 8-1/2
Age Range 4-8 years
Grade Preschool - 3
Reading Level Lexile: 440L | Fountas/Pinnell: M

ISBN 9798217025374 (Ebook)
Published on Dec 2, 2025
Published by Random House Studio
Pages 32
Age Range 4-8 years
Grade Preschool - 3
Reading Level Lexile: 440L | Fountas/Pinnell: M

ISBN 9798217156900 (Audiobook Download)
Published on Dec 2, 2025
Published by Listening Library
Age Range 4-8 years
Grade Preschool - 3
Reading Level Lexile: 440L | Fountas/Pinnell: M

Lane Smith

Lane Smith is a five-time recipient of the New York Times Best Illustrated Book award and a two-time Caldecott Honor recipient. In 2012 the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art 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. He is the illustrator of many books, including The Stinky Cheese Man, and the author/illustrator of It’s a Book, Grandpa Green, and John, Paul, George & Ben, among others. He is married to book designer Molly Leach.