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Flat Stanley #3
Stanley in Space
A Far-out adventure!
The President of the United States has chosen Stanley Lambchop and his family to become the first humans to fly in the Star Scout, a new top-secret spaceship.
Stanley's most exciting adventure is about to begin. He'll meet the Queen of England, have a birthday party in outer space, and save a whole planet of aliens from danger. Oh, that Stanley!
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
104 people are currently reading
739 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Brown
319 books123 followersLibrarian 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, Flat Again!," was published the year he died. All together, Stanley's tales have sold nearly a million copies in the United States alone. The character's life extended further, as schoolchildren mailed cut-outs of him to their friends. In translation, he traveled to France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan and Israel, among other places.
Jeff Brown was born Richard Chester Brown. Originally a child actor, he became Jeff Brown because Actors Equity already had a Richard Brown as a member. A graduate of the Professional Children's School, he provided a child's voice in a radio drama and appeared onstage.
In Hollywood he worked for the producer Samuel Goldwyn Jr. and was a story consultant at Paramount. Preferring to write himself, he sold fiction and articles to national magazines while working at The New Yorker, Life, The Saturday Evening Post, Esquire and finally at Warner Books, where he was a senior editor until 1980. The idea for Stanley came to him one night at bedtime when his sons J. C. and Tony were young and stalling for time. One asked what would happen if the big bulletin board on the wall were to fall on J. C., and Mr. Brown said he would most likely wake up flat. That led to speculation about what such a life might be like. After writing "Flat Stanley, " Mr. Brown went on to "Stanley and the Magic Lamp," "Stanley in Space," "Stanley's Christmas Adventure," "Invisible Stanley" and finally "Stanley, Flat Again!"
The Flat Stanley Project was started in 1995 by Dale Hubert, a third grade schoolteacher in London, Ontario, Canada. It is meant to facilitate letter-writing by schoolchildren to each other as they document where Flat Stanley has gone with them. The Project provides an opportunity for students to make connections with students of other member schools who've signed up with the project. Students begin by reading the book and becoming acquainted with the story. Then they make paper "Flat Stanleys" (or pictures of the Stanley Lambchop character) and keep a journal for a few days, documenting the places and activities in which Flat Stanley is involved. The Flat Stanley and the journal are mailed to other people who are asked to treat the figure as a visiting guest and add to his journal, then return them both after a period of time. In 2005, more than 6,500 classes from 48 countries took part in the Flat Stanley Project.
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, Flat Again!," was published the year he died. All together, Stanley's tales have sold nearly a million copies in the United States alone. The character's life extended further, as schoolchildren mailed cut-outs of him to their friends. In translation, he traveled to France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan and Israel, among other places.
Jeff Brown was born Richard Chester Brown. Originally a child actor, he became Jeff Brown because Actors Equity already had a Richard Brown as a member. A graduate of the Professional Children's School, he provided a child's voice in a radio drama and appeared onstage.
In Hollywood he worked for the producer Samuel Goldwyn Jr. and was a story consultant at Paramount. Preferring to write himself, he sold fiction and articles to national magazines while working at The New Yorker, Life, The Saturday Evening Post, Esquire and finally at Warner Books, where he was a senior editor until 1980. The idea for Stanley came to him one night at bedtime when his sons J. C. and Tony were young and stalling for time. One asked what would happen if the big bulletin board on the wall were to fall on J. C., and Mr. Brown said he would most likely wake up flat. That led to speculation about what such a life might be like. After writing "Flat Stanley, " Mr. Brown went on to "Stanley and the Magic Lamp," "Stanley in Space," "Stanley's Christmas Adventure," "Invisible Stanley" and finally "Stanley, Flat Again!"
The Flat Stanley Project was started in 1995 by Dale Hubert, a third grade schoolteacher in London, Ontario, Canada. It is meant to facilitate letter-writing by schoolchildren to each other as they document where Flat Stanley has gone with them. The Project provides an opportunity for students to make connections with students of other member schools who've signed up with the project. Students begin by reading the book and becoming acquainted with the story. Then they make paper "Flat Stanleys" (or pictures of the Stanley Lambchop character) and keep a journal for a few days, documenting the places and activities in which Flat Stanley is involved. The Flat Stanley and the journal are mailed to other people who are asked to treat the figure as a visiting guest and add to his journal, then return them both after a period of time. In 2005, more than 6,500 classes from 48 countries took part in the Flat Stanley Project.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
January 21, 2013
Talk about milking an idea too far. Flat Stanley is a truly fun book for kids. Stanley Flat Again is also pretty good. This one is just ridiculous, and takes the suspension of disbelief too far.
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November 16, 2018Read this aloud to my younger sisters today. I loved all the cute pictures! <3 Just a note, there are some fake swear words.
August 4, 2025
Okay but not as fun as Flat Stanley or A Lamp for the Lampchops. But kids love a series and we have been reading this at bedtime. The USA has recieved a message from another planet and need to send regular folks to go and meet with aliens. So the president himself rings up Stanley and asks him and his family to fly out to Tyrra to meet the aliens.
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December 2, 2015Title: Stanley in Space
Author: Jeff Brown
Illustrator: Scott Nash
Genre: Science Fiction
Theme(s): Space, family, adventure, savior, teamwork
Opening line/sentence: It was Saturday morning, and Mr. and Mrs. Lambchop were putting up wallpaper in the kitchen.
Brief Book Summary: The President of the United States calls upon Stanley Lambchop to help represent the Earth in a mission to save the Tyrrans before they become extinct. He is going to be the first human to fly in the Star Scout (top secret spaceship), and encounters experiences with the Queen of England. He also has a birthday party in outer space. This book takes us through Stanley’s adventures through space, and finds a way to save the Tyrrans.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Jane Harrington (Children's Literature)
Young Stanley Lambchop was first introduced in the 1960's, in the popular book, Flat Stanley. This installment of the Lambchop's adventures--one of six books in the series--finds Stanley again acting as hero in a far-flung, absurdly funny tale. A seemingly friendly message from extraterrestrials has been received by the President of the United States, so Stanley is asked to represent Earth on a mission to the planet Tyrra. The whole family decides to go, and after a long trip into space, they discover that the Tyrrans are in danger of extinction. Stanley comes up with a creative solution to their problems, and saves the day. Very well written, with cleverly imbedded grammatical lessons and vocabulary stretches. The humor is subtle enough for adults to enjoy, and, at the same time, plenty silly for young elementary readers of early chapter books. Cartoony illustrations are well done, and paced perfectly with the story. Originally published, with different illustrations, in Great Britain. 2003 (orig. 1990), HarperCollins, $4.99. Ages 6 to 9.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Dianna Geers for TeensReadToo.com
Stanley's life continues to be exciting, even as a round person again. In STANLEY IN SPACE, the President of the United States contacts Stanley and asks for Stanley's family to go into outer space. The Lambchop family travels to the planet Tyrra and meets the Tyrrans, who are very small indeed. The Tyrrans are having problems, but Stanley and his family know just how to help this distant civilization.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: These reviews speak highly of Stanley in Space. They both enjoy the adventure that he goes through, and how he takes his family along with him. Stanley figures out how to save a whole planet of aliens – with the help of his family. Through teamwork and new adventures, Stanley in Space is a great book to read.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: Dialogue is seen throughout the entirety of this book between Stanley and his parents, the president, the queen, etc. In addition imagery is shown throughout the pictures. We are able to tell more about the characters based on their facial expressions and actions in the images.
Consideration of Instructional Application: This book is a great example of a science fiction book. We could have a lesson on science fiction, what it entails, and we can create our own. We will talk about different ideas we may have and share them with the class. Students will have time to create their own science fiction story and create illustrations and we will share them with the class at the end of the week when everyone is finished.
Author: Jeff Brown
Illustrator: Scott Nash
Genre: Science Fiction
Theme(s): Space, family, adventure, savior, teamwork
Opening line/sentence: It was Saturday morning, and Mr. and Mrs. Lambchop were putting up wallpaper in the kitchen.
Brief Book Summary: The President of the United States calls upon Stanley Lambchop to help represent the Earth in a mission to save the Tyrrans before they become extinct. He is going to be the first human to fly in the Star Scout (top secret spaceship), and encounters experiences with the Queen of England. He also has a birthday party in outer space. This book takes us through Stanley’s adventures through space, and finds a way to save the Tyrrans.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Jane Harrington (Children's Literature)
Young Stanley Lambchop was first introduced in the 1960's, in the popular book, Flat Stanley. This installment of the Lambchop's adventures--one of six books in the series--finds Stanley again acting as hero in a far-flung, absurdly funny tale. A seemingly friendly message from extraterrestrials has been received by the President of the United States, so Stanley is asked to represent Earth on a mission to the planet Tyrra. The whole family decides to go, and after a long trip into space, they discover that the Tyrrans are in danger of extinction. Stanley comes up with a creative solution to their problems, and saves the day. Very well written, with cleverly imbedded grammatical lessons and vocabulary stretches. The humor is subtle enough for adults to enjoy, and, at the same time, plenty silly for young elementary readers of early chapter books. Cartoony illustrations are well done, and paced perfectly with the story. Originally published, with different illustrations, in Great Britain. 2003 (orig. 1990), HarperCollins, $4.99. Ages 6 to 9.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Dianna Geers for TeensReadToo.com
Stanley's life continues to be exciting, even as a round person again. In STANLEY IN SPACE, the President of the United States contacts Stanley and asks for Stanley's family to go into outer space. The Lambchop family travels to the planet Tyrra and meets the Tyrrans, who are very small indeed. The Tyrrans are having problems, but Stanley and his family know just how to help this distant civilization.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: These reviews speak highly of Stanley in Space. They both enjoy the adventure that he goes through, and how he takes his family along with him. Stanley figures out how to save a whole planet of aliens – with the help of his family. Through teamwork and new adventures, Stanley in Space is a great book to read.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: Dialogue is seen throughout the entirety of this book between Stanley and his parents, the president, the queen, etc. In addition imagery is shown throughout the pictures. We are able to tell more about the characters based on their facial expressions and actions in the images.
Consideration of Instructional Application: This book is a great example of a science fiction book. We could have a lesson on science fiction, what it entails, and we can create our own. We will talk about different ideas we may have and share them with the class. Students will have time to create their own science fiction story and create illustrations and we will share them with the class at the end of the week when everyone is finished.
March 30, 2021
The President selects Stanley and his family to go into Space! He meets the Queen of England too.
I listened to this one on audio CD, and I honestly lost interest on this one. Not as good as the original, but if you like Stanley, then this is another adventure in the collection. I'm sure my son would like it if we picked it up in print!
I listened to this one on audio CD, and I honestly lost interest on this one. Not as good as the original, but if you like Stanley, then this is another adventure in the collection. I'm sure my son would like it if we picked it up in print!
April 24, 2012
The Lambchops are contacted by the President, who confides to them that the Earth has been contacted by an alien planet, Tyrra, and that the USA plans to send a normal American family on a mission of peace. When they arrive, the Lambchops find they have been borough to Tyrra under false pretenses, but decide to help the Tyrrans, who are not bad at heart, and only a few inches tall.
I read this to my kindergarten class, and found it even rougher going than the previous book, as Brown’s style of dialogue makes it hard for kids to follow what’s being said, and new concepts are glided over where they ought to be dwelt on a bit longer. Of course, the ideas are clever and the prose is amusing, with the Lambchops taking all the bizarre things that happen with the usual aplomb. But it’s perhaps just a bit too breezy in style for kindergarteners.
I read this to my kindergarten class, and found it even rougher going than the previous book, as Brown’s style of dialogue makes it hard for kids to follow what’s being said, and new concepts are glided over where they ought to be dwelt on a bit longer. Of course, the ideas are clever and the prose is amusing, with the Lambchops taking all the bizarre things that happen with the usual aplomb. But it’s perhaps just a bit too breezy in style for kindergarteners.
January 18, 2014
I am all for children's stories bending the laws of physics and ignoring certain rules of logic in order to tell the story, but the amount of silliness and lack of logic here just annoyed me. It is difficult to say why i breeze through a dozen volumes of astrosaurs, completely ignoring the impossibility of a stegosaurus being the captain of a spaceship, when the mention of what the crew in 'Stanley' had to get rid of and to what degree, in order to get the Tyrrans into their spaceship, totally annoyed me.
On reflection, it is because 'Stanley' is very poorly written. I won't be reading any more stories by Jeff Brown, to my children any more.
On reflection, it is because 'Stanley' is very poorly written. I won't be reading any more stories by Jeff Brown, to my children any more.
March 4, 2021
I am all for children's stories bending the laws of physics and ignoring certain rules of logic in order to tell the story, but the amount of silliness and lack of logic here just annoyed me. It is difficult to say why i breeze through a dozen volumes of astrosaurs, completely ignoring the impossibility of a stegosaurus being the captain of a spaceship, when the mention of what the crew in 'Stanley' had to get rid of and to what degree, in order to get the Tyrrans into their spaceship, totally annoyed me.
On reflection, it is because 'Stanley' is very poorly written. I won't be reading any more stories by Jeff Brown, to my children any more.
On reflection, it is because 'Stanley' is very poorly written. I won't be reading any more stories by Jeff Brown, to my children any more.
November 11, 2010
I wasn't very impressed with this book, but my son seemed to like it. It's an extremely cheesy, far-fetched adventure where the President of the United States calls up the Lampchops and recruits them for a mission to save a planet in space called Tyrra. I did think the naming of all the people on Tyrra was clever (Ap, Ik, Ot, etc.). Again, not one I would recommend, but my son liked it.
June 26, 2008
I liked the part about a planet that was really different from earth.
February 17, 2017
Silly without much actual effort from the titular Stanley.
January 13, 2019
Stanley and family get chosen to go into space with predictable results in this the third entry in the Stanley series. Average young people book, with enough to keep them entertained.
March 5, 2019
My kids enjoyed the creativity of this book, but it led to a lot more questions than answers about space travel.
June 23, 2008
Not as good as the 1st book but a good story.
May 18, 2023
On this Flat Stanley adventure, the Lambchops have been invited by the President of the United States to venture into space to meet with an alien race that has contacted Earth. Stanley and his family undergo space training and are launched into orbit on their way to Tyrra to communicate with the Tyrrans. This story had the least to do with Stanley once being flat and required an incredible amount of suspension of disbelief. As an adult, I found the initial preparations hilarious (Mrs. Lambchop making sure to outfit the spaceship with shades and venetian blinds for example). As the story progresses, we learn that the Tyrrans are in trouble as their land and water have been contaminated and it will take a year for their planet to heal. This concept was easy enough for my six-year-old to understand as I read aloud to her, but the conflict with the scientist and the general as well as some of the dialog towards the end got a bit confusing. The overall theme of helping the alien race in their time of need was good, and my daughter did enjoy thinking about what it would be like if her whole family travelled into space.
May 26, 2021
Read May 25, 2021
Genre: Fiction
Reading Level: 3rd-4th
I enjoyed reading this book because it was very action-packed. I could see a lot of students enjoying this read because there are many parts in the story that will make them want to keep reading to find out what happens next. I could see a student that enjoys reading about space also enjoying this book. The writer keeps the book interesting with a lot of detail, including a few pictures throughout. I also like that the book includes some challenging vocabulary along with the mom in the book making a few grammar corrections as the other characters speak. I think this would be a great book to teach about predicting, since the ending may not be what every student is expecting.
Genre: Fiction
Reading Level: 3rd-4th
I enjoyed reading this book because it was very action-packed. I could see a lot of students enjoying this read because there are many parts in the story that will make them want to keep reading to find out what happens next. I could see a student that enjoys reading about space also enjoying this book. The writer keeps the book interesting with a lot of detail, including a few pictures throughout. I also like that the book includes some challenging vocabulary along with the mom in the book making a few grammar corrections as the other characters speak. I think this would be a great book to teach about predicting, since the ending may not be what every student is expecting.
April 29, 2019
When a message is received from the distant planet Tyrra, the President of the United States selects Stanley Lambchop and his family to travel to the planet on board the top-secret spaceship “Star Scout.” What will Stanley and his family find when they reach the planet? And why were the Tyrrans eager to have visitors?
“Stanley in Space” is the third book in the Flat Stanley series. This chapter book, written for children in grades two through four, takes young readers on the madcap adventures they have come to expect from a Flat Stanley story. Fluent readers at the late third grade level should have no problem reading this guided reading level P book independently.
Recommended.
“Stanley in Space” is the third book in the Flat Stanley series. This chapter book, written for children in grades two through four, takes young readers on the madcap adventures they have come to expect from a Flat Stanley story. Fluent readers at the late third grade level should have no problem reading this guided reading level P book independently.
Recommended.
January 15, 2025
My kids seemed to enjoy…They were asking me to read it aloud every day, so that’s a win. We shared some laughs, especially with the creative ideas about the tiny people on the planet Tyrra. The illustrations were appreciated and added to the storyline.
That said, I didn’t enjoy it as much. The character names and dialogue were hard to follow—lots of interruptions and sentences left hanging, which made it tricky to listen to it read aloud; however, I think it would’ve been even harder for my kids to read independently.
I was also hoping for more of a real outer space adventure, but it didn’t quite deliver. Overall, it fell a little flat for me—but not as flat as Stanley!
That said, I didn’t enjoy it as much. The character names and dialogue were hard to follow—lots of interruptions and sentences left hanging, which made it tricky to listen to it read aloud; however, I think it would’ve been even harder for my kids to read independently.
I was also hoping for more of a real outer space adventure, but it didn’t quite deliver. Overall, it fell a little flat for me—but not as flat as Stanley!
January 3, 2024
Stanley is invited by the president to go to space. They meet aliens who wqnt to attack them, but are only inches tall. Their world hqs no food or water due to a science experiment going wrong. Stanley and his family take them home.
He isn't even flat in this. I found all the alien characters the same, but they all spoke over the top of each other. My son liked it but couldn't say if he liked it more than the first one. The adventure in here was less interesting for me.
He isn't even flat in this. I found all the alien characters the same, but they all spoke over the top of each other. My son liked it but couldn't say if he liked it more than the first one. The adventure in here was less interesting for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2022
This is a book suggested to read by my boy's school. I tend to believe they could do better than that. The story might be appealing for some Yankees who love their president, but for me it was just silly.
I found terrible interaction with people from other planet.
The plot was driving me mad.
My boy doesn't like it neither. Prefers Horrid Henry.
I found terrible interaction with people from other planet.
The plot was driving me mad.
My boy doesn't like it neither. Prefers Horrid Henry.
July 1, 2022
This book is about a boy called Stanley who is flat, and the president of United states chose Stanley and his family to become the first humans aboard a new top-secret spaceship. How exciting the book is! The book is filled with unbelievable adventures such as, his birthday in outer space and a city full of aliens. I recommend this book for ages 7 - 10 , as they will enjoy this book very much.
June 24, 2020
A Far-out adventure! The President of the United States has chosen Stanley Lambchop and his family to become the first humans to fly in the Star Scout, a new top-secret spaceship. Stanley's most exciting adventure is about to begin.
February 19, 2021
This book was creative and Stanley didn’t think the people were friendly, but they were. He helps all of the people get to earth so they won’t starve or thirst to death and moves out all of the desks and other stuff from the spaceship so the tyrrans can ride.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2023
I read this book to my 4th grade class after it won a class vote for our next read aloud. I'd never read any books in the Flat Stanley series, and I can't say that this book inspired me to try another. But hey, I'm not the target audience. Most of the kids seemed to enjoy it.
September 21, 2017
A cute little story, but I didn't appreciate the dig against scientists and GMOs.
January 1, 2018
قشنگ بود
منم دوست دارم برم فضا
بعد از خوندنش به مامان گفتم من که کوچولوهستم تی رایی هستم و شما غولین
منم دوست دارم برم فضا
بعد از خوندنش به مامان گفتم من که کوچولوهستم تی رایی هستم و شما غولین
December 31, 2018
Cute story. My 8 year old loves Flat Stanley adventures. We can't seem to put them down.
July 20, 2019
This Is a really cute book, I read it to my daughter who laughed the whole time. It was great to see her smile!
December 23, 2020
I had people waiting for me and so I finished it fast.📚✏🙂🤗
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews