Buy new:
$7.99
FREE delivery Monday, May 13 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$7.99
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Monday, May 13 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Thursday, May 9. Order within 15 hrs 34 mins
In Stock
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$6.43
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
This item shows wear including ex-library markings and moderate wear to edges and cover. This item shows wear including ex-library markings and moderate wear to edges and cover. See less
FREE delivery Tuesday, May 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

J. Brian Pinkney
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Max Found Two Sticks (Reading Rainbow Book) Paperback – Picture Book, June 1, 1997

by Brian Pinkney (Author, Illustrator)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 220 ratings
See all formats and editions

Purchase options and add-ons

It was a day when Max didn't feel like talking to anyone. He just sat on his front steps and watched the clouds gather in the sky.
A strong breeze shook the tree in front of his house, and Max saw two heavy twigs fall to the ground.
So begins this story of a young boy's introduction to the joys of making music.
Max picks up the sticks and begins tapping out the rhythms of everything he sees and hears around him...the sound of pigeons startled into flight, of rain against the windows, of distant church bells and the rumble of a subway. And then, when a marching band rounds Max's corner, something wonderful happens.
Brian Pinkney's rhythmic text and lively pictures are certain to get many a child's foot tapping, many a youngster drumming.
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    5 - 8 years
  2. Print length
    40 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Kindergarten - 3
  5. Lexile measure
    AD690L
  6. Dimensions
    8.5 x 0.2 x 11 inches
  7. Publisher
    Aladdin
  8. Publication date
    June 1, 1997
  9. ISBN-10
    068981593X
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0689815935
  11. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now

Frequently bought together

Max Found Two Sticks (Reading Rainbow Book)
Get it as soon as Monday, May 13
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin (Aladdin Picture Books)
$8.89
Get it as soon as Monday, May 13
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
I Know a Shy Fellow Who Swallowed a Cello
$7.95
Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Brian Pinkney has illustrated numerous acclaimed books for children, including Martin Rising; In Your Hands; On the Ball; The Faithful Friend; Duke Ellington; and In the Time of the Drums. His many awards include two Caldecott Honors, a Coretta Scott King Illustration Award, four Coretta Scott King Illustration Honors, and the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award. Brian lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife and frequent collaborator, Andrea Davis Pinkney. Visit him at BrianPinkney.net.

Brian Pinkney has illustrated numerous acclaimed books for children, including Martin Rising; In Your Hands; On the Ball; The Faithful Friend; Duke Ellington; and In the Time of the Drums. His many awards include two Caldecott Honors, a Coretta Scott King Illustration Award, four Coretta Scott King Illustration Honors, and the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award. Brian lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife and frequent collaborator, Andrea Davis Pinkney. Visit him at BrianPinkney.net.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Aladdin; Reprint edition (June 1, 1997)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 068981593X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0689815935
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 5 - 8 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD690L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.2 x 11 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 220 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
J. Brian Pinkney

J. Brian Pinkney

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

As a child, Brian Pinkney loved drawing pictures on every piece of paper he could find. He also loved watching his father, Caldecott medalist, Jerry Pinkney, illustrate books for children. Brian couldn't wait to grow up and do the same thing.

Today Brian Pinkney is a New York Times bestselling illustrator who has created numerous books for young readers, including two Caldecott Honor Books, The Faithful Friend by Robert D. San Souci and Duke Ellington by Andrea Davis Pinkney, his wife and frequent collaborator.

Brian has been awarded the Coretta Scott King Honor Award for illustration on three occasions, as well as the Coretta Scott King medal.

He is a five-time NAACP Image Award nominee, and winner of the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award, as well as the recipient of many American Library Association Notable Book citations.

Brian is also a writer who has authored several acclaimed picture books based on his own experiences and interests. These include The Adventures of Sparrowboy; Max Found Two Sticks, hailed by The Horn Book as one of the classic children’s books of all time. On the Ball; Cosmo and the Robot, and JoJo’s Flying Side Kick. Brian’s books have been translated into numerous languages, reaching a broad and diverse mix of children.

Brian has been named among the “25 Most Influential People in our Children’s Lives” by Children’s Health magazine. He has served on the faculty in the Master’s Degree of Illustration department at the School of Visual Arts. He is a former chairperson for the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show.

Brian Pinkney lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife and frequent collaborator, New York Times bestselling author Andrea Davis Pinkney.

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
220 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Peter Chordas
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book with a song in its heart
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2022
Verified Purchase
Lots to love with this book.

First off, the writer/illustrator is a drummer. So it's got a deep knowledge, appreciation, and love of drumming woven in, and it shows.

Second, the writing is clear and evocative, and the illustrations are fantastic.

One of the many things I love about this book is how the rhythms that Max, the main character, plays are all representative of things around him in the world — the sound of rain pattering against the windows, the wings of pigeons startled into flight, the wheels of the train his dad works on. It shows that, to quote a band my toddler loves, "Contained in music, somehow more than just sound, this inspiration coming and twisting things around."

This is a great one for music lovers of all ages.
Helpful
 Report
Coffee and Travel
5.0 out of 5 stars Music book for kids
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2022
Verified Purchase
Loved this book, I have been subbing longterm as a music teacher and read this book to the elementary school class! I even brought in two sticks from the yard and other "household" items! The kids loved it and quickly caught on to some of the catchy phrases!!
Helpful
 Report
C. A. Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for music teachers
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2016
Verified Purchase
I'm a music teacher. This is a great book to use in your music classes. I used it with bucket drumming and had my students echo the drumming pattern that Max did. They loved it. I did it with 4th and 5th grade. Every student got a bucket and every student got two drumsticks. When I finished reading the book, I had them echo some of our rhythms we had been working on in class. This book was a great way to reinforce what I had already been teaching.
6 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Dmuse
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2021
Verified Purchase
I used this when teaching elementary music. The students loved it.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
GroundhogMom
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book filled with music and urban life
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2015
Verified Purchase
My son is VERY into music. He particularly enjoys "drums and sticks." When I saw this book premise, I ordered it immediately. He's in love with it! In addition to the story itself and the musical language and sounds, I appreciated the beautiful illustrations of city life. It was lovely to see a world that closely reflects our urban surroundings: rowhomes, public transportation, etc. I appreciated that this book is a lovely story that features a black family. The marching band parade at the end was a huge bonus for my son, who is mildly obsessed with drum lines!
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Justyna Weirich
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story to use rhythm sticks with the kids.
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2021
Verified Purchase
Use it in Montessori classroom.
Helpful
 Report
Sheila J. Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars Hardcover
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2020
Verified Purchase
I was delighted to finally obtain this wonderful book as a hardcover.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
c.sarvey
5.0 out of 5 stars Great way to incorporate rhythm sticks in the music classroom
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2016
Verified Purchase
I am a music teacher. I was able to make this book a part of a substitute lesson plan that could be taught by an substitute, not just a music teacher. Great way to incorporate rhythm sticks in the music classroom. I love this book!
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report