Travel by envelope - the postage is cheaper than air-fares!! (Flat Stanley - Jeff Brown)

Member Name: rachelwestall

Product:	Flat Stanley - Jeff Brown
Date:	31/01/09 (376 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great story - quick read.

Disadvantages: None!

Flat Stanley By Jeff Brown

Amazing things can happen when you're flat!

I first came across this fantastic kids book over twenty years ago, when I was at teacher training college. In those days you could plan lesson around anything you liked, the National curriculum hadn't been invented and exciting learning was high priority. Our 'Creative Activities' lecturer got us making plasticine models of a boy. We were then told to put our models between two pieces of board and to jump on them. We were thus introduced to Flat Stanley and shed loads of lesson ideas all relating to this fictional character. I don't think I ever used one of those lesson ideas, but I have read the story many times over the years, and I still have my little plasticine model of Stanley, well preserved between two pieces of sticky back plastic.

Once upon a time Stanley Lambchop had been a normal healthy boy, but after an accident involving an extremely large notice board, he became, for want of a better word, FLAT!

This review is for the first book in the series and is plainly titled 'Flat Stanley'. It begins by introducing the Lambchop family and relaying the incident of how poor Stanley became flat. His mothers reaction is hilarious... After looking at her son she says "Let's all have breakfast... then Stanley and I will go and see Doctor Dan." Now she is an uber cool mother! No screaming, shouting, or panicking. No quick lets call 911. She is calm and controlled, a real example to all us mums in the 21st Century!

We quickly learn that Stanley is no ordinary boy. He does not sulk or moan about is plight, in fact he seems to love every minute, and all the adventure that being flat brings. You see being flat can have huge advantages... You can get into rooms without opening doors, just slide underneath! ( A skill that could be sooo useful?!!) My favourite thing is that you can avoid air fares. Stanley's friend invites him to visit him in California and Mr and Ms Lambchop hit upon the great idea of sending their son via the mail service. He gets put into a large envelope and sent to his friend.

"They had to put a huge amount of stamps on the envelope to pay for both the airmail and the insurance, but it was still much less expensive than a train or aeroplane ticket..."

I am just so relieved they insured their son for the journey!

Throughout the story you discover what a happy likeable boy Stanley is. He even allows is brother to use him as a kite. He helps police with a gang of art thieves and becomes a local celebrity. But is Stanley destined to stay flat forever? You will have to read the story to find out.

~My Opinion~

This lovely story is aimed at children aged about 6-8. It is a ridiculous notion that a child could be flattened by a notice board and continue to live, being the thickness of piece of cardboard! But this is what makes this such a great story, it captures children's imaginations. I have read it to classes of 6, 7 and 8 year olds, and without fail, they have loved it. It's easy to listen to, funny and has a simple structure (no complicated plots or subplots). It's lovely to watch the children sit with mouths open, half smiles on their faces, snorting or laughing as the story unfolds.

It's also great for those children who are just becoming fluent readers. It isn't too long a story (96 pages of medium sized print), but has good pace to it in order to keep the readers interest. The language is simple but engaging.

The book was written in the 1960's, but is still a great read. There are some 'twee' moments, but this only seems to add to the humour of the story. The book has five chapters and full page illustrations throughout.

If you enjoy this first story in the series then you can read more. Stanley's adventures don't end with this book....

Stanley and the Magic Lamp.
Stanley in Space
Stanley Flat Again!

You can pick up a paperback version of Flat Stanley in most bookshops in the children's section.

It is available at the moment on Amazon for £4.99

Summary: A classic childrens story.