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Stick Dog Comes to Town: A Christmas Holiday
Last updated Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Author: Tom Watson
Date of Publication: 2021
ISBN: 006301422X
Grade Level: 5th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Dec. 2025
Synopsis:
Weird things are happening in Stick Dog's snow-covered neighborhood. Strangely shaped pinecones hang from trees. Humans sing merry songs all over town. And an odd man is making a list and checking it twice.
Mutt, Karen, Stripes, and Poo-Poo have tons of questions. And for the first time, Stick Dog doesn't have answers. But their good friend Lucy does.
So when the dogs learn all about Santa Claus, their hilarious quest to celebrate the holiday begins!
| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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This book is part of a series about a stray dog named, Stick Dog, and his friends who are also strays.
They have just leaned about all the various aspects of Christmas: Santa, decorations, gifts, etc. What
are some of you earliest memories of the holidays? What are some of your traditions?
Vocabulary:
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collection: a gathering of objects for study, comparison or as hobby.
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unique: being the only one; without a like or equal.
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magnificient: impressive, grand, exceptionally fine.
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rubbery: resembling rubber, elastic.
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gnawing: to chew or bite on something to break it down.
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Stick Dog and his friends have made a home for themselves in large drain pipe. What do you think of it?
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What do you think of the ways they look after themselves?
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Mutt, another of the dogs, has a collection of shoes. Do you collect anything? What is it/are they?
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What made you decide to collect them?
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Do you have a pet? What kind is it?
Note to Readers: The kids will want to finish the book to learn how the dogs go about preparing for
Christmas and how they work to make sure Santa know where they are.
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| Craft ideas: |
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Make paper pine cones! See 5 minute instruction video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tv0x0I86BFM You can get a head start on this by cutting out some of the layers before you go out and meet the kids!
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Make a Christmas or holiday card for someone.
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Draw a Christmas tree and decorate it. To be different draw a non-traditional Christmas/Holiday tree.
Use a Joshua tree, a poinsettia bush, a saguaro cactus, a tumbleweed, or small citrus tree as your tree.
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| Special activities: |
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Do the word search.
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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