Flat Stanley Phenomenon

“People should think twice before making rude remarks,” said Ms. Lambchop. “And then not make them at all.” Jeff Brown, Flat Stanley

Flat Stanley is a children’s book series. It’s about a guy called Stanley who was flattened by a billboard, and is now paper thin. As expected, being flat gives you many advantages and disadvantages, and the series is about his travels around the world, meeting people and learning. It is written for children of young ages, teaching them them about geography, and cultures of other people. Unfortunately, the author of the series passed away in 2003, so the events in the book are not quite up to date anymore, but it is still an impressive series, and a good starter book for beginner readers.

There is a school project in Australia based on this series. A bunch of Primary (elementary) school kids make their own Flat Stanley, using paper, cutting and colouring it. Then, they send Flat Stanley to other parts of the world or simply to other parts of Australia. They are mailed to relatives, friends, anyone that the person may know. Then, the recipients are meant to take it to important sites in their country/city, taking photos with the Flat Stanleys prominent, then sending the Flat Stanley’s back. This is to imitate the real adventures of Flat Stanley, while teaching about different countries.

This reporters family received one, from this reporter’s younger cousin. The Flat Stanley witnessed Singapore Zoo, Singapore National Day and other big Singaporean events. “I think that this project is very effective, teaching people about other countries,” said one of the recipients of the Flat Stanley phenomenon. This project should be carried out in other schools because of the benefits it brings to young children.

By Samuel