Mo's Stick

Mo's Stick is a simple but imaginative story of Mo, a small mouse, his stick and his huge imagination. The text is based on a dialogue between Mo and the author with the author asking Mo questions about his lost stick. This lovely dialogue explores how Mo used his stick in so many wonderful ways, which the reader will adore!

Mo is adorable and has an amazing imagination creatively illustrated by Fiona Lumber with gorgeous pictures, cutouts and shaped pages. As the story starts, Mo is sad because he has lost his favourite stick. However, the narrator encourages Mo to use another stick. Through gentle questioning and positive conversation, Mo shows the reader how fantastic his old stick was, taking him on a journey in space, gliding high in the sky, using it as a mast for his boat to poking a huge, fiery dragon! When Mo converses with the narrator again about the loss of his amazing stick, he realises that the stick is not amazing - it is Mo!!

Mo's Stick is the perfect book for every EYFS classroom to encourage creativity. With a simple stick, Mo has the most wonderful adventures and young children will love following these adventures and taking their own sticks on some new adventures too - or even using a rock or a box!

This book was shared with a class of 4-5 year olds who loved Mo and were keen to use their own imaginations to create adventures too! A wonderful book!

Picture book / Reviewed by Maria, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 3+

Mo's stick was very special. It could draw pictures, fly him really high, be a mast for his sail boat - but now it is gone and Mo is very sad. No other stick will ever be its equal . . . or will it?

Could this book be any more perfect?! Superbly capturing the joys of imaginative play and how simple things can have far more impact than the most expensive toys, Mo's Stick is everything a picture book should be! In a world driven by 'screen time' and costly 'must-haves', Mo's Stick reminds readers of the wonder and creativity which can happen when a child is allowed to imagine and explore the possibilities of imaginative play.

Mo's stick is central to his games (I have chosen to call Mo 'him' - there is nothing to suggest whether the mouse is a boy or a girl) becoming whatever he needs to facilitate his ideas and bring his games to life. The story is perfect for sparking ideas - a no-cost way of encouraging hours of play! Although there will be those who choose to become sharp shooters or sword wielding soldiers if handed a stick, this book offers other possibilities, other directions to explore. The ending also opens up the imaginative possibilities of other things to get creative with!

Not only is the book a fantastic celebration of the imagination, it is also beautifully presented. Cut outs and shaped pages add to the story telling, engaging readers and piquing curiosity in the story. The narrator's encouraging voice gently praises Mo's ideas, enabling him to see that it is him, not the stick, which is key in his creative games.

Mo is a very endearing little mouse, sure to become a firm favourite with adults and children alike! Essential for any pre-school setting, 'Mo's Stick' is a charmingly child-centred, warm-hearted, inspirational book! Simply brilliant- 5 stars are no where near enough!

Picture book / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 3+