10 Ways I’d Love My Books To Be Like Flat Stanley

Flat Stanley at the Beach in Carlsbad

If you’re a North American parent with a child in 3rd grade or beyond, it’s a pretty sure bet you’ve heard of Flat Stanley. Just in case you haven’t, here’s a quick summary:

The Flat Stanley Project

In 1994, Dale Hubert began the Flat Stanley Project in Ontario, Canada. Hubert had the brilliant idea of having children create their own Flat Stanley paper cutouts and mailing them to friends and family around the globe, in order to foster authentic literacy activities for kids and get them excited to write about Stanley’s adventures.

Today, the Flat Stanley Project..encompasses more than 6000 schools registered in 88 countries around the globe, and is included in the curriculum for more than 15% of elementary schools in the US.

I’ve been emissary to at least two Flat Stanleys, helping them to move on to ever-wider circles of adventure. The one you see above is my nephew’s Flat Stanley that arrived in the mail from Kansas City, MO.

[Me being me, I immediately photocopied him and laminated him, just in case I lost him.]

Flat Stanley went all through Orange County, down to San Diego and up to ride the Metrolink in Los Angeles. Then one of my friends was kind enough to take him all over Washington D.C. Flat Stanley even met a girlfriend in D.C.

I’ve posted some pics below so you can see some of Stanley’s amazing adventures.

Flat Stanley at the doctor’s office in the O.C.

Flat Stanley with Hoshi, my first “Baby Girl.”

Flat Stanley with Writers In The Storm

I had tons of fun with Stanley and so did all my friends. My flat pal inspired this list:

1. Everyone passes them on to a friend.

2. At the end of their journey, I’ll know exactly where they went and what they did.

3. Everyone welcomes them at the table (or in the bath or the backyard, or their boat).

4. People want to be part of their story.

5. My books unite strangers around the world.

6. They can travel in any vehicle and provide people with a good time.

7. People can color them with tons of imagination.

8. They’ll be recognized with a single glance.

9. My books will bring a smile to your face.

10. You’ll remember my book long after you pass it on.

Have you ever met a Flat Stanley? What sorts of adventures did you have together? If you’re a creative person, what experience would you like your creations to give to others? Enquiring minds LOVE to know these things here at More Cowbell!

Jenny

p.s. DON’T forget to trot over to Natalie Hartford’s place today to see the big Missed Connections reveal from yesterday’s post. She’s giving the scoop on both her post and mine. 🙂

By the way, yesterday’s comments were stellar gems of beauty! Tons of Cowbell goes out to Stacy Green, Zack Kullis and Gloria Richard for the most side-splitting contributions. Go look, y’all…you’ll see what I mean.