I loved this book as a child about as much as my seven-year-old does now. I remembered this story some 25 years after my Papa read it to me, recalling the particularly imaginative things Stanley would do after he was flat. I remember thinking of all the cool things I would do if I were flat, as well.

This book is unlike so many others in that it encourages the kids to think 'what if' about themselves. I welcome the idea and ask my children what they would do if they were flat. How would you eat a banana? Would you be good at hide-and-seek? How would you keep from flying away in the wind?

The kids love this type of play and enjoy the story each time we read it.

Story Summary
Stanley is flattened by a bulletin board one night as he slept. He arose uninjured but flat as a pancake. After getting over the initial shock and tailoring his clothes to fit, Stanley discovers how different life can be when you are flat.

When mom lost her ring down a grate, Stanley tied his laces together and she lowered him through the opening.

When brother needed a kite, Stanley tied a string to himself and let fly.

When the curator at the museum needed to catch art thieves, Stanley posed in a painting and caught the crooks.

Humor
My children especially like the humor in this book. For example, when Stanley offered to pose in the painting to catch those crooks, he expected to be a cowboy, but instead had to wear a dress and bonnet.

Stanley's brother, jealous of the neat things he could do as a flat person, tries to flatten himself by stacking encyclopedias on himself.

One Point
I won't call it negative, but the story is a bit long. My children are 4 and 7, and although they both can follow, the reading takes about 40 minutes, which is too long for our allocated bedtime stories. I'm forced to read it over two nights.

The publisher recommends ages 9 through 12, but that is for solitary reading. My kids follow it just fine when I read it to them.

Conclusion
This story is harmless fun. Children ages 5 through 12 will enjoy it. It may be hard to find, but should be available at a used book store. Powells.com has it in stock for $7.95 in hardcover used (isbn#0606092854). While you're at it, order the sequel "Invisible Stanley" at the same store.



Recommended: Yes