Celebrating the humble ugly stick: New children's story emphasizes Newfoundland musicians

The ugly stick — an unusual musical instrument found at many a Newfoundland and Labrador kitchen party — is front and centre in a new book from local author Josh Goudie. 

Jack and the Magnificent Ugly Stick follows a young boy on a musical journey where he meets some of Newfoundland and Labrador's famous musicians and learns all about the ugly stick, a traditional percussion instrument made from household items such as boots, bottle caps and mops.

I don't know that there's a Newfoundlander who doesn't play something or sing something or can at least bang an ugly stick around.- Josh Goudie

"I don't know that there's a Newfoundlander who doesn't play something or sing something or can at least bang an ugly stick around," said Goudie, who teamed up with his father, artist Craig Goudie of Grand Falls-Windsor on his latest book.

It's the second time the father and son duo have worked together on a children's story. Jack and the Magnificent Ugly Stick follows their 2014 book, Jack and the Hurricane. 

"Because we identify so much with music, this just seemed like a natural followup," Goudie, who now lives in Toronto, said in an interview with CBC Radio's St. John's Morning Show. 

Goudie, who started off writing novels, said his books are for everyone — adults and children.

"When you set out to write something you don't really think, oh, I'm going to write this for a target audience," Goudie said. 

"I want to tell stories that I would like to read. Something that would connect with another person and make them happy, give them something to think about or just to laugh."

Jack and the Magnificent Ugly Stick will be available in bookstores and online on Oct. 1.