Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Stanley at Sea
Illustrator: Bill Slavin
Picture Book Series
For ages 4 to 8
Kids Can Press, 2008 ISBN: 978-1554531936
Stanley the dog knows that he is not supposed to beg but he just can't help himself. His people are having a fantastic picnic feast, and they aren't giving him anything to nibble on. Eventually Stanley is told to "Get!" and so he goes down to the river where his friends are hanging out. All the dogs are hungry, so they are delighted when they find a trash can full of delicacies . Then, out of the blue a big truck arrives and it empties the trash can. Alas for Stanley and his friends, their feast is gone.
Next, the hungry dogs chase another food trail to ground, and this time the food is in a little boat. In seconds, Gassy Jack eats the leftover sandwich that they find in the boat. It is only when they turn around to get out of the boat that the dogs realize that the boat they are in is afloat.
In no time at all Stanley and his chums are swept out to sea in their little boat. Where are they going to end up?
In this delightful Stanley title, Linda Bailey and Bill Slavin once again collaborate to give their readers a deliciously funny picture book. Presented from the point of view of the dogs, the story is perfectly paced, and readers will find it hard not to chuckle when they see where the dogs end up.
