It has been nearly 40 years since the debut of "Flat Stanley, " the story of how a bulletin board first fell on Stanley Lambchop, an ordinary boy, and transformed him into a flat hero. Finally, in this long-awaited sequel, the boy with two-dimensional tendencies embarks on all new adventures. Full color. ReviewsYoungsters will welcome the return of favorite characters in an array of beginning chapter books. Stanley Lambchop deflates once more in Stanley, Flat Again, the sixth title in the series by Jeff Brown, illus. by Scott Nash. Whereas the hero flew as a kite in Flat Stanley, here he serves as a spinnaker to win a sailboat race. When a building collapses, he slips beneath the wreckage to save a classmate just before it tumbles down. A paperback version of Flat Stanley, also with illustrations by Nash, is being released simultaneously. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information. Gr 2-4-Stanley Lambchop returns for another adventure that began in Flat Stanley (1964) and continued in Stanley and the Magic Lamp (1996) and Invisible Stanley (1996, all HarperCollins). Stanley has become flat again, and when his little brother tries to inflate him with a basketball pump, it hurts too much to continue. In the episodic plot, the boy is diagnosed by Dr. Dan, participates as a sail in a sailboat race, and executes a dangerous rescue in a collapsed building that only he in his flatness can attempt. Perky black-and-white cartoon art continues the humorous, upbeat tone set by the text. Given the appeal of this popular character, Stanley will expand early chapter-book collections.-Debbie Stewart, Grand Rapids Public Library, MI Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information. |