Stanley's Wild Ride

Stanley

by Linda Bailey

Stanley's Party may have come to an end ... but our favorite party animal's back and ready to roll!

Stanley knows he's not supposed to leave the yard, but he's dog-tired of it. So when he discovers a way out ... he's gone! A few escapes later, five dogs are on the lam. And with Stanley in the lead, they're off to have the kind of fun you can't find in a yard --- chasing tomcats, sampling tasty garbage and soaking fire hydrants.

Then, late at night, atop the steepest hill in town, they come upon a mysterious wheeled ... thing. And before you can say “Hot dog!” Stanley's off on the ride of a lifetime!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Dogs, Humor, Adventure

32 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2008

About the author

I was born and grew up in Winnipeg —a daydreamer with her nose in a book. In my twenties, I traveled around the world, mostly by ship. Later, I moved to Vancouver, where I earned a B.A. and M.Ed. at the University of British Columbia. Among my jobs were travel agent, college teacher, instructional designer and editor.

For years, I dabbled with writing. But I didn't begin to write in earnest until I had two young daughters. My first book was published in 1992, and I have since written more than thirty others, including novels, picture books and non-fiction.

I live in Vancouver, a short walk from the sea. I write full-time and still love to travel, read and daydream.
- Source

Series:
* Stanley
* Stevie Diamond Mystery
* Good Times Travel Agency

Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Juvenile (1997): How Can a Frozen Detective Stay Hot on the Trail?
◊ Best Juvenile (2000): How Can a Brilliant Detective Shine in the Dark?

Reviews

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adventurous Stanley quickly goes from Bored Dog to the instigator of a wild ride, including additional dogs.

These happen to be dogs with great names, btw:

* Alice
* Nutsy
* Elwood
* and Gassy Jack

SKATEBOARD ADVENTURES ENSUE

Among others.

All in all, great adventuring erupts, plus a most happy ending.

FIVE STARS to Linda Bailey for her fun-loving, yet picture book perfect, words.
And those stars also go to Bill Slavin, creator of gorgeous illustrations that kept the liveliness rolling.

[Fatima Seraj Alam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stanley longs for an adventure and after the epic adventure he has, he is content at home. This is me after a journey. I enjoy travelling but I also enjoy coming back home. As for Hafsa, she enjoyed the awoooo sound dogs made throughout their wild ride.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stanley is a dog who escapes his yard in pursuit of adventure. He finds his friends and encourages them to escape their homes. The dogs run amok in the city and enjoy the night. Stanley discovers a skateboard and wonders at it. Then Stanley is taken on the ride of his life. Stanley turns to see all of the dogs on various wheeled things following with delight. A police car follows them to a crashing end in Stanley’s yard where all dogs are returned to their owners. This book is the 2009 winner of the California Young Reader Medal. It is a humorous tale of friendship and wonder. Children will love the story for the curiosity of the dogs when they discover a new object. The illustrations add to the sense of fun and adventure in this story. There is even an airplane illustrated in the background that resembles the skateboard of Stanley’s wild ride. This book is recommended as a read aloud for kindergarten and first grade.

[babyhippoface · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Stanley digs his way out of his yard he and explores the world with his doggie buddies and finds more excitement than he can handle in the way of a skateboard and one big hill. Bailey’s fun text is strengthened by her inclusion of little details that bring a story to life (the mutts declare the new-found skateboard “smells like feet,” and is “supposed to have a kid on it”). Slavin’s lively acrylic-on-gessoed paper illustrations of the bug-eyed dogs escaping, cavorting, and careening will leave kids howling with laughter.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stanley knew he wasn't supposed to leave the yard, but he was dog-tired of seeing the same side of the fence. Stanley finds a way out, and before long him and his friends, Alice, Nutsy, Elwood, and Gassy Jack are out on the town. They enjoy themselves chasing tomcats, eating tasty samples from trashcans, and soaking fire hydrants, but the best fun is when they find wheeled items at the top of a hill.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

K+ What a great read-aloud! The kids love it!

Stanley digs a hole and escapes from his back yard. He helps his four friends out of their yards and together they enjoy themselves doing things that they normally are not allowed to do. Then Stanley finds a skateboard and his friends, other wheeled conveyances, and they all have a wild ride. Very funny:)

[Kanani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great read-aloud book for preschoolers. It slowly builds to a wonderful climax, and it's lots of fun to read. I can picture the dogs on Akaka Place when I read this one -- especially since there's one at the top of the hill who really does ride a skateboard.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book highlights a dog's night when he gets out of his yard. He rescues his friends from their yards too and then they go for a joy ride (on a skateboard, bicycle, skate, wagon and shopping cart. Pretty funny!

[Lindsey Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really cute book about Stanley the dog. He is very tired of hanging out in his back yard. Once he gets lose he goes around the neighborhood helping his friends escape. Then they find a little trouble, putting Stanley right back in the backyard. So cute!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This made a great readaloud at a recent trip to an elementary school. Kids K-grade 4 all enjoyed it.

[Hillvan]

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[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dogs breaking out and taking a road trip as only dogs can. Just a really cute story that the kids will eat up.