Review: Flat Stanley
The restrained yet humorous writing style enhances the over-the-top adventures. Kids will enjoy (the somewhat dated) illustrations of Stanley in his silly situations.
What Parents Should Know
The restrained yet humorous writing style enhances the
over-the-top adventures. Kids will enjoy (the somewhat dated)
illustrations of Stanley in his silly situations.
Common Sense Media Review
The opportunistic Stanley uses his flatness in his
escalating quest for attention: He moves from saving his mom's
ring from the sewer to being the only kid able to fly like a
kite to catching art thieves in the act of stealing the most
expensive painting in the world!.
Stanley relishes his new-found fame, but he learns that it doesn't last for long, because "people had other things to think about." The lesson about the perils of going to extremes for attention is subtly conveyed, as Stanley is teased and rejected by his peers and Mom delivers a heavy-handed lecture about accepting other's differences, including racial and religious ones.
Younger siblings can relate to Arthur's jealousy: "It's not fair that my older brother can do so many things that I can't do!" But Arthur gets his moment to shine--it's his idea to blow Stanley back to his original shape with a bicycle pump. Grateful Stanley makes sure that his little brother gets the credit.
Brown's understanding of childhood emotions is as highly tuned as his humorous, understated writing style: "Mr. Dart stood back a few feet and stared at him for a moment. 'Oh well,' he said, 'it may not be art, but I know what I like.'" Bjorkman's updated illustrations are more colorful, but some may find that they lack the wit and charm of Tomi Ungerer's originals.
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