Lost Stick

by Anoosha Syed

A delightful twist on a lost pet story that takes an adorable pup around the world to track down what he thinks is his best friend's prized possession--from the critically acclaimed creator of That's Not My Name!, Bilal Cooks Daal, and I Am Perfectly Designed.

Milo loves to make his owner Louise happy because she’s his favorite person in the world. While they’re strolling through the park one day, Louise picks a twig up off the ground and says to Milo, “This is Stick”. She throws Stick across the grass and Milo excitedly brings it back to her. Milo doesn't know why they do this over and over again, but he knows that he can put a smile on her face by running after Stick. So, when Louise throws Stick a little too far, Milo is determined to go the distance too.

Milo starts searching all over the neighborhood for Stick—while Louise simultaneously searches for Milo—but there's one all the sticks look the same! Which one is Louise's stick? Milo sets out on a grand adventure for a little pup, and while his quest takes him all over the globe, he learns that home is where he really wants to be. Anoosha Syed stretches her storytelling talents with this hilarious and tender friendship story.

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Animals, Childrens, Travel, Friendship, Humor

40 pages, Hardcover

Published March 26, 2024

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know what?!? This was stinking adorable and a joy to read. It’s perfect for those who love dogs, but even more perfect for those who want a heart felt story about companionship. This made laugh like crazy at the end. I’m a fan of Anoosha Syed so I’m not surprised that this was a hit.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Milo will do anything to make Louise happy. When she finds a stick that she loves, Louise throws it and Milo keeps bringing it back wanting her to have something she enjoys. But one time, Louise throws it too far and Milo has trouble finding it. He doesn't want Louise to be unhappy, so Milo sets off on an adventure to find the stick. His search takes him all over, but the whole time he misses Louise and wonders if she feels the same. In the end, his search is futile, but he's ready to go home. What he doesn't realize is while he's been searching for the stick, Louise has been searching for him.

LOST STICK is a cute and heartwarming story about a dog's loyalty to its owner. Milo's instinctive desire to see Louise happy is just like any pet and owner relationship. While we like to see our pets happy, they want the same and this book highlights that. I love how colorful and detailed the illustrations are. They even highlight different cultures as Milo goes on his adventure.


Final Verdict: I would recommend this to families with pets. It would be a great read aloud book for children to read to their pets. It's a sweet story for fans of dogs and adventure.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Milo the dog and his best friend, Louise, love to visit the park together. On one particular walk, Louise finds The Stick. Milo does not understand why Louise loves this stick, but she does. For some reason she loves to throw the stick away from her, but faithful Milo always brings it back. One day Louise plays a trick on Milo by acting like she threw the stick but she actually didn't. Milo, thinking Louise threw the stick way far away, charges after "the stick", determined to return it to his girl. But he can't find it anywhere. He travels farther and farther away and eventually realizes he just isn't going to find the stick. Meanwhile, back home, Louise thinks Milo is lost. She files a missing doggy report and looks everywhere for Milo, eventually giving up she'll ever find him. Imagine her surprise and delight when Milo returns and finds that Louise had the stick all along.

A charming tale that readers will want to read again and again, taking time to notice all the little details.

[Mr. Lowton · Rating 3 out of 5]

2024 Picture Book. Pakistani-Canadian Author/Illustrator.

Milo the dog likes to chase stick. But when stick is lost, Milo is worried his owner will be upset...but that's not what she's upset about losing!

What I liked: A cute storyline which allows kids to make inferences based on pictures that contradict Milo's reasoning.

What I didn't like: Something about the writing style was off. I'm not sure if it was passive vs. active voice, or the fact that sometimes the dog's thoughts were italicized and other times it was not? I can't quite put my finger on it, but I had to go back and reread several times to understand the story.

Overall, it's a maybe...I'd like to get another person's perspective on this one, because if it's "just me" I like the story and the fact that it's Canadian.

[Reem Faruqi · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOST STICK by @anooshadraws , in the words of my daughter- "Hilarious!" It's a sweet pet story with a twist.

If you liked HALAL HOTDOGS by @librarycatnyc and Parwinder Singh, you will like this one too. It's got humor and heart and a plot twist told via pictures, so make sure you are loooooking at each page very carefully, which is fun to do because the book is a visual treat!

@anooshadraws art is textured, colorful, and vibrant. Milo and Louise's expressions are varied and inviting, and this was a fun one to reread, especially at the plot twist part! And which kid isn't attached to a stick?

Thank you @anooshadraws for an early copy! This would be a great read a loud too, especially with a younger audience, who I'm sure will delight in pointing out where exactly Stick is 🤣

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

     Milo loves his owner, Louise, so much so that when Louise's stick seems to go missing, Milo travels around the world to find it. This is a really cute story about the devotion of a dog who literally goes to the end of the world to find their owner's possession. I loved the bubbly illustrations, especially Milo in different outfits as he travels the world. I also think it is really sweet that Milo eventually figures out that perhaps he is more important to Louise than the stick and should probably go home. A great cute and fun story for dog lovers.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told from Milo's POV. Milo and his owner Louise enjoy an afternoon at the park. Louise finds a stick and continues to throw it away. Milo returns it every time until she throws it too far. He sets off on an adventure searching around the world for this stick. Readers will enjoy the humor and fun as they travel along. They will also appreciate the sadness as Louise searches everywhere for her lost dog. Humorous look at this game from the dog's view. The artwork is highly detailed and worth studying as the story progresses. So much happens in the background - don't miss it.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louise and Milo are playing fetch with a stick in the park. Milo thinks Louise must love Stick because she is so happy when Milo brings it back. One time, though, Louise tricks Milo and hides Stick behind her back. Milo just thinks Stick is lost and travels the world to find it. Louise is sad because now Milo is lost - but, not to worry! Milo misses Louise and after many adventures, makes his way back home.

A good book to help discuss misunderstandings. And Milo is simply adorable. Be sure to take a peek under the dust jacket for a preview - or recap - of Milo's many adventures!

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is delightful, from the super colorful, very detailed illustrations to the dog-logic that runs the plot. This would be a fun read aloud or a good lap read to especially check in on Louise's emotions. I'm always curious about picture books like this when I get readers advisory questions about lost pets. I can't decide whether I would recommend a book whose tone is very "don't worry! he'll be back!"
Separate from that, very cute.

[Lucy Kirby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost Stick is a beautiful picture book about a dog who wants to find the stick his owner threw, not knowing the owner faked the throw. Now the owner must look for the dog while the dog looks for the stick, never crossing paths around the world before finally coming back home to each other. Syed is a fantastic illustrator and this book reinforces her strength in this field.

[Sobia A Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved by Raya. She was obsessed with the page with the horse and thought the Milo illustrations on the inside cover were pandas.

A cute story told from the dog's POV about how the stick gets lost when thrown by the Louise. He searches the world for it. The illustrations are bold and detailed. But the a few of the pages get a bit busy with so many illustrations.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable. When Louise fake-throws a stick, her dog Milo is determined to find it - no matter how far he has to go. Told from Milo's perspective, we see his adventures and devotion to his Louise until he finally misses her so much he has to return. The illustrations are so full of information and funny touches (we see Louise's story play out there) - tops!

[Kara&Nanouk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. Gosh. Where do I even start with this? The story and art are so cute, how could you not love this book?! The author/illustrator did a wonderful job with this one. For sure one of the cutest kids' books I've ever read.

[Thomas Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun. Definitely got a bit silly, but it wasn't an immature stupid silly. It was a fun, happy silly. I love all the facial expressions (especially right at the ending), and I really love all the fun the dog has while they are looking for the stick.

[Isabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh!! New favorite picture book alert! I had been trying to find this book all summer, until I saw that one of my local libraries carried it and got it :) I love the mixed media, the humor, and of course the lesson. Anoosha has such an eye for design and color, it is truly a work of art!!

[fatima · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a whimsical book!! all the cut out textures were so fun to go through with my niece, loved the story and the illustrations so so much :D a 10/10 by Anoosha as per usual

[Karol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bright and energetic illustrations make Lost Stick come alive.

[Lake Shore Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

The narrator changing between Louise and Milo was hard to follow at times when reading to a group of kids.

[Lenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it a lot, it's so fun, sweet, and beautifully illustrated!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great illustrations!

[Haylee Blystone · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book! It was so funny, but also very heartwarming

[Emily Haage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable bond between a girl and her dog. Super detailed illustrations, so better shared in small groups or one-on-one to truly appreciate the colorful details. Sly humor at the end.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable illustrations in the story of a dog who searches the world for the stick it fetches-- the one his owner only pretended to throw!

[Michelle Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

elementary read aloud

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really am so obsessed with this book. the colors, the story, the everything. Milo is so funny

[Devin Elle Kurtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joyously silly, heartwarming story with absolutely dazzling cut-paper illustrations

[Ashley Leaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

My students absolutely loved this book. It’s been my favourite of our Bruce Spruce books we have read. The illustrations are so cute and the story is absolutely adorable!

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author's bright, cheerful illustrations are the star here, as Louise and Milo each set off on a mission to find what was lost. All ends well after a long and determined journey by Milo the dog.

[Theodore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good and sad book!

[Bia]

A children’s book, and I needed something quick to read, but the drawing was just so cute I couldn’t resist.