Stanley Paste

by Aaron Blabey

Stanley Paste is small. Really small. And he hates it. But when a new girl arrives at school, Stanley learns that perhaps being small is not so bad after all.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 2011

About the author

Aaron is an Australian author of children's books and artist who until the mid-2000s was also an actor. His award winning picture books include Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley, The Ghost of Miss Annabel Spoon and the best-selling Pig the Pug.

In the field of acting, he is probably best known for his lead roles in two television dramedies, 1994's The Damnation of Harvey McHugh, for which he won an Australian Film Institute Award, and 2003's CrashBurn, before retiring from performance in 2005.

Reviews

[Anne Forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Macie’s review.
“ I’ve got another book by the author of Pig the Pug. I love these books. The drawings are the best. I loved when Eleanor dressed up as a giraffe because she was really tall & won the competition”.

[Freddie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

The grass is always greener... or is it?

[Aubrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aaron Blabey is just gold.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story on finding friendship and how 'everyone wants what they don't have'.

[Andrea Damic · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Stanley Paste" by Aaron Blabey

Wow, what to say, I love it, my 4 year old daughter loves it, my husband loves it...I mean, definitely a must have in your kids library, even in your own, "grown ups" library:-).

There are times when we all feel inadequate, different, weird...maybe we are...and that is the whole point of this book. It teaches us and our children that it's ok to be different!

Honestly, this book should be read to every child as we are meant to teach our children these things while they are still young, before they even get the chance to become "the bully"; that it's ok to be who we are, with all our little quirks as that is what makes us unique.

Thank you Aaron Blabey, again, for another wonderful book I can share with my daughter.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explores the friendship between a boy and a girl who are very different but help each other out. It links to body image, friendship. Great for visual literacy just like all of Blabey's books. The boy is short and feels very self conscious, the girl is very tall. Both struggle with being teased. Also good for exploring empathy, issues of bullying , social skills training, and what else....emotions, exploring how we feel and managing our emotions, identifying with the characters and kids will easily be able to relate to the school situations that the characters face. Even as an adult it resonated with me, I could remember back to my school days and what it was like being at a new school and hating, absolutely hating lunch and recess time - that is until I made some great friends ;) :)
I love his work ! Timeless, Australian, and very beautiful pictures that are so expressive. The way he uses perspective to evoke a particular message is very powerful. for example showinghow lonely a character is by making them appear very small on the page and in a dark room. Full marks Mr Blabey and please keep creating your wonderful stories - we need them :)

[Dee-Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stanley is short and Eleanor is tall. Each wish they weren't as they did not fit in with their peers, but as friends they became invincible. A great story for all kids (and adults) to read when they feel as though they don't fit in.

[Emkoshka · Rating 2 out of 5]

A sweet story about the unlikely friendship between a small boy and a tall girl, drawn together by their peers' insults and mutual dissatisfaction with their respective states. The illustrations were a bit grim and gothic.

[Julie Grasso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just loved it. It's an unlikely choice of colours for a kids book but my toddler loved it at the first reading, so who can tell what captures a child's attention. We got this from the library again and the toddler recognized it immediately. We simply must own it

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was probably my least favorite so far. Though I could definitely empathise with Eleanor Cabbage.
I probably wouldn't rush to recommend this one either, if I didn't care much about the story as an adult, children probably won't care either.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lovely book by Aaron Blabey. Beautifully told, evocative illustrations, wonderful theme. Highly recommended.

[Shallowreader VaVeros · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlikely friendship between a small boy and a tall girl. Alone they are teased but together they are joyful and a force! Fabulous story and I adore the illustrations.

[Carrie Gelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply delightful!

[Addie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great children's picture book with interesting pictures and an interesting and moral story. Children will surely learn from this book and it may help them when they start school and make friends.

[Lucas Weeden · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a funny book and it touches me in the heart

[Cass A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children's picture book. A lovely, gentle story about being different and finding someone else in a similar situation with whom to be friends.