Flat Stanley (A Trophy Chapter Book) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Steve Bjorkman (Illustrator) "Breakfast was ready..." (more)
Key Phrases: most expensive painting, sneak thieves, Stanley Lambchop

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Poor Stanley. He's a perfectly normal boy until one morning he wakes up flat. After his parents peel the incriminating bulletin board off of him, Stanley must adjust to life as a pancake. He is a boy who takes this kind of thing in stride, though, and soon he's enjoying the advantages of squashedness. Sliding under closed doors is fun, and it's gratifying to be of use to his mother when she drops her ring through a narrow metal grating. Expensive plane fare to California? No problem. Svelte Stanley folds comfortably into a brown paper envelope. There's even room left over in there for an egg-salad sandwich. But Stanley's true moment of glory comes when a gang of thieves begins stealing paintings from the Famous Museum of Art. The case seems hopeless--until our two-dimensional hero saves the day. Here is one boy who doesn't let his profile-challenged body stop him from living life fully--that is, until his brother finds a way to help him become well rounded again. Jeff Brown's matter-of-fact tone and Tomi Ungerer's witty and engaging drawings tickle the funny bone, making this 1964 classic a perennial favorite. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3–Based on Jeff Brown's original story (HarperCollins, 1964), this oversize picture book condenses some of the adventures of the ever-popular character who was flattened by a bulletin board. Ending up four feet tall, a foot wide, and half-an-inch thick, Stanley discovers that being flat is not only novel (he can slip under cracks), but also exciting. He is mailed off to California in a large envelope; he can be flown like a huge kite; and one night, disguised as a shepherdess, he hides in a painting in the art museum and foils some thieves. Full-page, cartoon illustrations in watercolor and crayon enhance the story while remaining true to the original. This version of an old favorite will introduce a beloved character to a new generation of younger children. It should have wide appeal.–Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: HarperTrophy; Revised edition (March 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064420264
• ISBN-13: 978-0064420266
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #76,060 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Flat Stanley, July 12, 2000

By A Customer

This imaginative story by Jeff Brown tells about the adventures of a young boy, Stanley, who is mashed flat by an enormous bulletin board that falls on him in the night. As being flat has its advantages, Stanley has quite a few exciting adventures, one of which includes being placed in an envelope and mailed to friends in California for a vacation trip. The story is filled with mystery, adventure, sibling rivalry, and family fun. Children will love reading about the antics of Flat Stanley!

Note to teachers: This book is great when used as a part of a social studies unit on America. Have children create a U.S. map. Find California. Practice letter writing. Send Flat Stanley to friends and relatives in other states. Locate those states on the class map. Gather information about those states through return letters and let children learn from each other.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly memorable, February 6, 1997

By A Customer

Finally I've found Flat Stanley!! I read this wonderful book when I was a small child and was thrilled by Stanley's situation. In fact, it is one of the only stories I can still vividly recall from my TV-infested childhood. (And it still affects me-- to this day I have NEVER put a bulletin board above my bed or anything big for that matter!!!). As I grew older, I lost track of my copy of the book-- but would always ask friends if they remembered it when the converstation turned to children's literature. Surprisingly, not many people had heard of the story-- which, of course, inspired me to find the book and bring back a classic to my friends, nieces and nephews. So, I scoured bookstores old and new to find it. And I was without luck-- until now. With the help of my computer and Amazon.com I have, again, found Flat Stanley. So, I'm ordering a bunch of copies-- for myself and my family-- and I'm thrilled that Stanley will find a place once again on my bookshelf -- and will hopefully remain there for years to come. I can't wait for him to get here!!!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm Hooked, March 16, 2004

By	ardnam "ardnam" (NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flat Stanley: His Original Adventure! (Paperback)

I had heard of Flat Stlanley before and although I thought the concept was cute I had never used this book in my second grade. At least not until this year. I am using it with one of my flexible reading groups. I'm absolutely hooked and the children are as well. We have posted the pros and cons of being flat and have joined in with the Flat Stanley project. This is providing so many enriching extension activities! We are now "hosting" Flat Stanleys from Ontario, Thailand, and Australia. The learning that is taking place (writing, reading, speaking, creating, geography, world cultures) is astounding. My students are constructing their own Stanleys who will be traveling around the world to be hosted in other states and countries. I will be buying more copies of this book so I can do this with my entire class next year. I purchased Stanley in Space for my reading group to move on to next. I can't believe I was not aware of how wonderful this book could be. I have been able to integrate it throughout my curriculum. HIGHLY recommended!