Stick Man: questions to ask and activities to try
Stick Man is carried further and further from his family tree, and keeps trying to get home. It's a gentle book for children who miss someone, at drop-off, a sleepover or when a parent is away.
What age is Stick Man for?
Stick Man is best for ages 3–6.
Stick Man (Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler)
- Age
- 3-6
- Best for
- Missing home or family, and being away from people you love
Only £1.00Stick Man activity sheet3 printable pages: questions to talk about, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the grown-up. Instant PDF.
Just want the questions? Get the free question card ↓
Use it to give missing someone a name. Ask how Stick Man felt each time he was taken further away, and what kept him going. Then talk about what helps your child when they miss you.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 3–6 (nursery to Year 1)
- What they'll enjoy
- Stick Man is carried further and further from his family tree, and keeps trying to get home. It's a gentle book for children who miss someone, at drop-off, a sleepover or when a parent is away.
- Helps with
- Missing home or family, and being away from people you love
- Buy or borrow?
- Borrow it from the library first if you can. If your child asks for it again and again, it’s one worth owning, and the questions and activities on this page work best with the book open next to you.
Why I like this one
Stick Man is the book I'd reach for when a child is missing someone: a parent who travels, a grandparent who lives far away, or just the long wait at drop-off. He keeps trying to get home and never stops believing he will.
It's a bit sad in the middle, and that's fine. I'd let the sad part be sad rather than rushing to the happy ending. A question like “What helps you when you're missing someone?” often brings out more than “Are you sad?”
Growing Wise
What it helps with
- Talking about missing home or a parent
- Drop-offs, sleepovers and time apart
- Keeping going when things keep going wrong
- Knowing that the people who love you are waiting for you
Comprehension and discussion questions for Stick Man
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “How do you think Stick Man felt each time he was carried further from home?”
- “What kept him going?”
- “Who do you think was missing him at home?”
- “When have you missed someone? What helped?”
- “What could you do if you felt lost or far from home?”
- “How did Stick Man finally get back to his family?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for Stick Man
All 6 questions for Stick Man on one printable page, each marked with the reading skill it practises. Enter your email and download it straight away.
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5-minute activities to try together
A stick family for goodbyes
Find sticks on a walk and make a small stick family together. Keep it by the door, so goodbyes and hellos have a little ritual.
A missing-you plan
Choose one thing for times apart: a secret hand-squeeze, a drawing in their bag, or a word you both say at drop-off. Practise it at home first.
Stick Man activity sheet: printable worksheet and questions
All the questions and activities above on a ready-to-print activity sheet: questions tagged by reading skill with space to answer, a drawing and writing page with a self-check, and notes for the adult with curriculum links and a 20-minute session plan. Pay by card, PayPal or Payhip and download straight away.
- Page 1, talk about it: questions about the story, each tagged with the reading skill it practises, with space to answer or tick
- Page 2, my favourite part: a drawing box, a sentence starter and a “how did I do?” self-check
- Page 3, notes for the adult: curriculum links, a 20-minute session plan, extension activities, and support and challenge ideas
- Read it togetherEnjoy the story first.
- Ask 2 or 3 questionsFrom the list above, while everyone is calm.
- Print the activity sheetAn activity sheet with questions, a drawing page and notes for you.
Christmas bundleChristmas activity pack + 5 activity sheets, this one includedThe 5 books:Stick ManThe Jolly Christmas PostmanHow the Grinch Stole Christmas!One Christmas EveSquirrel's Snowman£6.99🛒 Shop · £2.50
3 sheets for £2.50Stick Man + Monkey Puzzle + The GruffaloThe 3 books:Stick ManMonkey PuzzleThe Gruffalo£2.50 Pick your own books: build a bundle with this one, up to 15% off →
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Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to Stick Man, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about talking about missing home or a parent.
A 20-minute session for ages 3–6 (nursery to Year 1), for a class, a small group or one child at home.
- Warm up (2 minutes). Show the cover and read the title. Ask: “What do you think this story will be about?”
- Read aloud (6 minutes). Read it all the way through. Tip: Use it to give missing someone a name. Ask how Stick Man felt each time he was taken further away, and what kept him going. Then talk about what helps your child when they miss you.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “How do you think Stick Man felt each time he was carried further from home?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do A stick family for goodbyes. Find sticks on a walk and make a small stick family together. Keep it by the door, so goodbyes and hellos have a little ritual. Children who finish early can try A missing-you plan.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The Stick Man activity sheet has these questions with space to answer, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the adult.
If your child liked this, try
The Invisible String (Patrice Karst)
- Best for
- Being apart at drop-off, a sleepover or the start of school
- Age
- 4-7
Monkey Puzzle (Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler)
- Best for
- Getting lost, and asking someone for help
- Age
- 3-6
The Koala Who Could (Rachel Bright and Jim Field)
- Best for
- Handling change and unfamiliar situations
- Age
- 3+
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 1 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.
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