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Flat Stanley
(Flat Stanley #1)
by
When Stanley Lambchop wakes up one morning, his brother, Arthur, is yelling. A bulletin board fell on Stanley during the night, and now he is only half an inch thick! Amazing things begin happening to him. Stanley gets rolled up, mailed, and flown like a kite. He even gets to help catch two dangerous art thieves. He may be flat, but he's a hero. This is the very first Flat
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Paperback, 96 pages
Published
December 23rd 2013
by HarperCollins
(first published 1964)
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Start your review of Flat Stanley (Flat Stanley, #1)

I think it is cool that Stanley is only 1 inch thick. It must be fun to slide under a door or be flown as a kite. He had to bring a sandwich with him when he was mailed. The envelope had to be very big. It cost Mr. Lambchop a whole sheet of stamps to mail Stanley. I hope he doesn't get into any. trouble being flat.You should read it to find out. I recommend this book and I look forward to reading more Stanley books. Ahku
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Flat Stanley has seen a resurgence of popularity as schools are using one of the initial stories of Stanley Lambchop being mailed to another location for a visit to family friends as a fun, creative associated activity to connect students to the story. Nash’s updated illustrations on nearly every page bring out the imaginative qualities and opportunities the original premise of these stories has to offer young readers.
This first book of the Flat Stanley series describes how Stanley became flatte ...more
This first book of the Flat Stanley series describes how Stanley became flatte ...more

For Stanley, being dressed as a girl is more horrifying than being flat, getting stuffed in an envelope and mailed across the country, or standing still on pegs for hours while staking out villains.
Both my daughter and my son deserve better than some dumb flat kid who disparages girl-stuff.
Maybe this was updated in later versions?
Both my daughter and my son deserve better than some dumb flat kid who disparages girl-stuff.
Maybe this was updated in later versions?

I don't think I ever read this as a kid, though I later heard about Flat Stanley and his adventures globetrotting around from classroom to classroom in an envelope. It was fun to read his original adventure with my kids. I might have been more into it when I was a kid as, while I appreciated a lot about it, it didn't totally wow me now (and, admittedly, while my kids seemed attentive during our read-aloud, neither of my kids asked for a reread, and they always do if they really like a book). Sti
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When my husband and I left our dear "grand girl" Marlee at a very young age, as her "step" grandmother I was pleasantly surprised to learn (for she came from a very large and very loving extended family), that she chose me to send "Flat Stanley", 750 miles away. It was early December, and I was in the midst of Christmas preparations; gifts to be chosen and sent far and wide. It was a delightful respite to delve into the children's section of our local library to find out who this "Flat Stanley"
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Kind of a cute book, def. written in the 1960's (when I was a child.) But the story is rather shallow. (See how I didn't say 'flat'?) More of a series of little vignettes in which Stanley gets flat, then can slide under doors, becomes a kite, and later is 'blown back up' with a bicycle pump. I think I expected more.
I'd taken this book from the library to read to my five-year old grandson, but I'm afraid he'd miss the point, too. And I think the point was this: sheer cleverness...
Though the mothe ...more
I'd taken this book from the library to read to my five-year old grandson, but I'm afraid he'd miss the point, too. And I think the point was this: sheer cleverness...
Though the mothe ...more

I didn't enjoy this book as much as the Mexican Adventure I just read, but I was curious to find out more about how Stanley became flat! The plot was not so great but there were important messages along the book, for instance not jumping to conclusions (based on first looks or what some situation looks like), not judging people for their "shapes, religion, or the color of their skin", the importance of family and working as a team.
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This is the original 1964 version of Flat Stanley, illustrated by French artist Tomi Ungerer, and what fun it is. The adventure starts when Mr. and Mrs. Lambchop discover that last night, a bulletin board fell off the wall of their son's bedroom and crushed the kid flat. This would be a tragedy outside the literary world, but here it's the beginning of something wonderful. Stanley is unharmed apart from the fact that he's now only half an inch thick, and he soon finds there are advantages to bei
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Jun 14, 2010
Robert Davis
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
children-s-picture-book
It should be noted that my review is for the original Flat Stanley with illustrations by Tomi Ungerer, not the revised (and much inferior) editions by Scott Nash. The original will always be superior.
This is a much loved book from my youth, one of the very first I learned to read. The story is whimsical and the pictures delightful. What I remember best was the imaginative idea of sending Stanley through the mail, and having him return from many far away places. This book not only was a stepping ...more
This is a much loved book from my youth, one of the very first I learned to read. The story is whimsical and the pictures delightful. What I remember best was the imaginative idea of sending Stanley through the mail, and having him return from many far away places. This book not only was a stepping ...more

Dad: So Eleanor, what did you think about the book?
Eleanor: I thought the book was awesome.
Dad: what do you think about the voice reviews?
E: I would give the book 5 stars.
Dad: but what do you think about the voice reviews?
E: I think the voice reviews are amazing.
D: This book was on the shelf at piano. So we just read it while we were waiting for Gwen. We've been reading it for the past three or four weeks. Since we don't have a computer here, we are recording a review into the phone.
So, what ...more
Eleanor: I thought the book was awesome.
Dad: what do you think about the voice reviews?
E: I would give the book 5 stars.
Dad: but what do you think about the voice reviews?
E: I think the voice reviews are amazing.
D: This book was on the shelf at piano. So we just read it while we were waiting for Gwen. We've been reading it for the past three or four weeks. Since we don't have a computer here, we are recording a review into the phone.
So, what ...more

My 5 yr old loved this book. A great story about a boy who gets flat after something falls on him and the advantages to being flat has. (Such as sneaking under doors) A colorful story with bright illustrations, it's probably somewhere around a level 2 reading book. A little too long and involved for my twin 3 yr olds, it's better suited for older children, but still interesting enough for a family read, especially if you keep your kids engaged by asking them questions about the book. Overall a n
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Mar 25, 2010
Lisa (not getting friends updates) Vegan
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
I just happened to see this because of Goodreads; I’d never heard of it before. I’m glad that the library gave me the edition they did.
This is a hoot. This is quirky, offbeat, clever, creative, and seemingly unique. I just loved it. And it’s another great museum story and sibling story too.
The illustrations fit the story wonderfully.
This has a much longer (text) story than the average picture book.
This is a hoot. This is quirky, offbeat, clever, creative, and seemingly unique. I just loved it. And it’s another great museum story and sibling story too.
The illustrations fit the story wonderfully.
This has a much longer (text) story than the average picture book.

I have a few concerns over the physics of this book, a boy gets flattened by what looks like a cork board, he lives... that part makes sense to me, my concern is how he is used as a kite, where has all his weight gone? Also any clothes he puts on suddenly become flat? hmmmmm might explain why my clothes are always too tight.
My daughter said she liked this, but there wasn't any laughter and usually we end up discussing every page, not this time though, I think it didn't capture her imagination en ...more
My daughter said she liked this, but there wasn't any laughter and usually we end up discussing every page, not this time though, I think it didn't capture her imagination en ...more

1. Book summary, in your own words (3 pts)
Flat Stanley is about a boy who becomes flat when a bookshelf falls on top of him. He goes to the doctor; they do nothing. He likes being flat at first because he could do things like go to the beach through the mail and be a human kite. Towards the end of the book, though, he is made fun of and no longer wishes to be different.
2. Grade level, interest level, lexile (1 pt)
This book good probably be read by students from 2nd-5th grade. It is very interest ...more
Flat Stanley is about a boy who becomes flat when a bookshelf falls on top of him. He goes to the doctor; they do nothing. He likes being flat at first because he could do things like go to the beach through the mail and be a human kite. Towards the end of the book, though, he is made fun of and no longer wishes to be different.
2. Grade level, interest level, lexile (1 pt)
This book good probably be read by students from 2nd-5th grade. It is very interest ...more

Flat Stanley is a classic, yet quirky children's book and one of my personal childhood favourites.
Stanley is a normal boy until one morning he wakes to find his notice board has fallen on him and he is now as flat as a pancake. As it turns out, things are not as bad as he first thought. So follows an entertaining and humorous adventure where he finds he is able to slide under doors, be sent on holiday through the post and even fly like a kite. However, his greatest moment comes when he manages t ...more
Stanley is a normal boy until one morning he wakes to find his notice board has fallen on him and he is now as flat as a pancake. As it turns out, things are not as bad as he first thought. So follows an entertaining and humorous adventure where he finds he is able to slide under doors, be sent on holiday through the post and even fly like a kite. However, his greatest moment comes when he manages t ...more

This book can be funny if you point out the ridiculousness of the situations to the child you are reading this too.
For instance, Stanley gets flattened by a bulletin board. His parents are a little bit upset, but, breakfast is already ready and they decide to go ahead and eat breakfast before bringing him to the doctor.
I mean, that's a bit ridiculous. Later in the book, his mother drops her ring down a storm drain and then lowers him through the grating to fetch her ring. I mean, sure, storm d ...more
For instance, Stanley gets flattened by a bulletin board. His parents are a little bit upset, but, breakfast is already ready and they decide to go ahead and eat breakfast before bringing him to the doctor.
I mean, that's a bit ridiculous. Later in the book, his mother drops her ring down a storm drain and then lowers him through the grating to fetch her ring. I mean, sure, storm d ...more

Unfortunately I was disappointed by this rendition of my childhood years, it's crude and the story lacked a sense of my determination to get through the difficult time. I shall overlook the lack of the ensuing lawsuit against the makers of the bulletin board, whose poorly fitted screws and bolts led to my horrific accident, as I understand that it would have taken up most of the book. I feel that the book misses the importance of my heroic and courageous actions when faced with the jewellery hei
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This children's book - first published in 1964 - is definitely not timeless. The writing style and dialogue seem pretty outdated throughout the whole story, which gives it an unbelievable (not fantastical) and boring quality. However, the scene in which Flat Stanley's parents mail him for a California visit has sparked the Flat Stanley Project in which people of all ages can make their own Stanleys and mail them around the world - great for classrooms and library programming. I'm interested in c
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It is an easy and fun read for early readers. It’s a sweet story of Stanley who becomes flat (when a bulletin board falls on him). He then has all kinds of adventures being flat until his younger brother fixes him back to being normal. Young children will enjoy this book; the bonus it has few pictorial representation!

Easy to read. A nice stepping stone book in my opinion, moving children on to more difficult texts. Could discuss the fact that people are different. Flat Stanley is good at things others are not, everyone is good at something. Those sprts of ideas can be addressed, particularly in situations where children are feeling envious of others/have low self esteem.

Mar 25, 2010
Krista the Krazy Kataloguer
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-childrens-books
I love this story! As a teacher or librarian you can do so much with it. A flat Stanley can have all sorts of adventures. None of the other books about Stanley match this one for firing up the imagination. Great story!

I read the newer edition this time. It skips the scene mentioned in another review, of going down the drain. All I remember from the old days about the book is that it's popular in classrooms, as children can mail their own Stanleys to pen pals, etc. This read did not impress me.
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Well... that was just flat out terrible (pun absolutely intended). Honestly though, this book is so weak and falls flat all around (okay, I’m done now...). But nonetheless, I’ll probably buy more copies because I know some students will love this book. However, I’m my opinion, this is a grade 2/3 reading level and parents wanting their children to be challenged in their reading skills would be wise to look else where.
I was once a teachers assistant for a grade 5/6 class and they read this book ...more
I was once a teachers assistant for a grade 5/6 class and they read this book ...more

I would give this book two and a half stars.
Flat Stanley is an inventively humorous story with a light touch to even the suspenseful scenes. Even while dealing in a strange world that clearly does not adhere to normal laws of physics, author Jeff Brown doesn't let the story get too silly, which might have muted the effect of the more tender moments. Reading Flat Stanley has me interested in the sequels about the Lambchop family. ...more
Flat Stanley is an inventively humorous story with a light touch to even the suspenseful scenes. Even while dealing in a strange world that clearly does not adhere to normal laws of physics, author Jeff Brown doesn't let the story get too silly, which might have muted the effect of the more tender moments. Reading Flat Stanley has me interested in the sequels about the Lambchop family. ...more

This is another example of an adventure story. This is suitable for both KS1 and KS2 children. The book is about a boy named Stanley who is flat. He goes on lots of small adventures to help other people. Although he doesn’t leave his normal world, I would still class it as an adventure book.
I also read this book to my class on placement last year. They really enjoyed the story.
I also read this book to my class on placement last year. They really enjoyed the story.
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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UEL Primary PGCE ...: Book Review #4 | 5 | 14 | Jun 22, 2015 10:52PM | |
Illustrations | 2 | 17 | Oct 23, 2013 10:10AM |
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Jeff Brown had worked in Hollywood and as an editor and writer in New York before creating Flat Stanley, a hero for the youngest readers whose adventures, with illustrations by Tomi Ungerer, were first published in 1964. Flat Stanley became the star of a series of perpetually popular books. The last, "Stanley, F ...more
Jeff Brown had worked in Hollywood and as an editor and writer in New York before creating Flat Stanley, a hero for the youngest readers whose adventures, with illustrations by Tomi Ungerer, were first published in 1964. Flat Stanley became the star of a series of perpetually popular books. The last, "Stanley, F ...more
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“People should think twice before making rude remarks," said Mrs. Lambchop. "And then not make them at all.”
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“. . . Mrs. Lambchop sighed and shook her head. "You're at the office all day, having fun," she said. "You don't realize what I go through with the boys. They're very difficult."
Kids are like that," Mr. Lambchop said. "Phases. Be patient, dear.”
—
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Kids are like that," Mr. Lambchop said. "Phases. Be patient, dear.”