“Mọc” is an educational project developed by RMIT University in collaboration with The Little Swing, created to introduce children to the idea of upcycling through care, play, and imagination. The project includes a storybook, a series of upcycled soft toys inspired by the characters, and a simple, informative guidebook that supports hands-on making.

The storybook shows children how upcycling can nurture positive qualities in people, and how those qualities, in turn, can help nature recover and grow. Vivid visuals and storytelling present upcycling as a simple, fun journey that encourages these qualities to develop naturally.

Alongside the storybook is an educational, mini guidebook with simple upcycling ideas. It is written in a friendly, everyday tone, making it easy for parents to follow and to guide their children through small, hands-on activities at home.

By combining storytelling and practice, “Mọc” helps families build an early connection with upcycling – one small action at a time.

The story follows Courage, a little mushroom living in a peaceful forest where mushrooms wake at night to care for the Sacred Tree, the ancient guardian of their home. One night, a strange storm scatters fabric scraps, threads, and  cotton from a faraway world across the forest, breaking the Sacred Tree into five  glowing seeds. Courage decides to set out and bring the seeds back.

Along the way, Courage meets Creativity, Knowledge, and Connection. Each mushroom brings a different way of thinking: seeing things differently,  having technical skills and working together. On the journey, they face challenges formed from discarded materials and learn that problems require their differentskill set to solve. In the end, all five seeds are returned to the mushrooms after their hard work. The Sacred Tree grows again, the forest is back to its beauty and all creatures cherish their green home forever after.