First Stanley gingerly sits on the couch. “The couch was wonderful!”

Then Stanley does what he’s seen his people do – listen to music, get food from the fridge.

Stanley is having oh so much fun!

But Stanley’s people are still out all the time and he’s lonely. So while visiting the dog park one day, Stanley invites his friends over to share in his fun. First it’s just Alice, then Oscar and before Stanley knows it, he’s extended the invitation to Mabel, Digger and Gassy Jack as well.

Well, news of Stanley’s party gets out in the dog neighbourhood and not only do Stanley’s friends show up but also some strangers. “Stanley wasn’t worried. ‘The more the merrier!’ he said.”

It’s the “best dog-gone party a dog ever had!” That is until Stanley’s people arrive home early and find canine chaos in their home.

After two days of helping to clean up the house, Stanley has learned his lesson and so have his people – they never leave Stanley alone again.

But the legend of Stanley’s party lives on!

Linda Bailey’s engaging text and Bill Slavin’s playful and funny images are a perfect combination in Stanley’s Party.  You can’t help but laugh out loud at Stanley’s laying belly-up on the couch and dancing about the house.

Bailey’s description of Stanley’s first climbing up onto the couch will ring familiar with any pet owner as will his innocent greeting upon his owners’ return.

This is a book that adults will enjoy reading to children. The humor appeals to all ages as do the colourful and detailed images.

I highly recommend Stanley’s Party particularly for  kids in the 4 to 7 years old range. (And you’ll hope the lesson from the story sticks with your children through the teen years!!)

If you find that you become of a big Stanley fan, Linda Bailey and Bill Slavin have also published Stanley’s Wild Ride and Stanley at Sea.  (Stanley’s Beauty Contest is coming next month!!)

You can even print off Stanley stickers at the Kids Can Press site!

Lola the hamster wakes up with special words on her tongue. She wants to say them but Daddy is off to work, Mommy is too busy, the bus is too noisy and the teacher is holding another child. All day long the words build up in Lola, puffing up her cheeks as they try to come out.

Poor Lola gets more and more frustrated throughout the day as she can’t say her special words. By the time she’s back at home with Mommy and Daddy, she’s too annoyed to say anything. But when prompted by her parents, Lola bursts out with “I love you, I love you! I love you so much!”

The words work their magic and Lola receives hugs and kisses.

Snuggled up in bed, Lola is happy and contented and feels the words on her tongue ready for the next day.

Carl Norac does a really good job of expressing the frustration a small child feels when they have something important to say but lack the opportunity to say it. Claude Dubois‘ charming illustrations clearly show the emotions in Lola’s face – everything from sleepiness, dismay and annoyance, right to utter glee. (Nothing beats the scowling face of Lola as she is sulking though!)

I Love You So Much is a sweet little story that reminds us as adults that sometimes little kids need to say something that is very important to them. It also provides a good opportunity to say, “I love you” for no particular reason at all, just because you do.

50 Below Zero is a good example of this.  It’s written in a manner that is perfect for storytelling. You can’t help but get into it and sound out a silly “zzzzz-zzzzz-zzzzz-zzzzz-zzzzz” to show that Jason is sleeping or say an overly dramatic “craaaazy” as you’d imagine the little boy doing.

Jason is a little boy who is repeatedly wakened throughout the night by unusual noises. He gets out of bed to discover the noise was caused by his sleep-walking father who has gotten himself into some amusing predicaments.  Each time, Jason wakes up his father who jumps up and runs around three times before heading back to bed.

When Jason finds his father outside in the freezing cold, he comes up with very creative solutions to get his dad back inside and to prevent any further “episodes”.

Each page has some repetition that little kids get right into.  There’s also the perfect amount of silliness that will most certainly invoke laughter as will Michael Martchenko‘s illustrations.

I’d highly recommend picking up a copy of 50 Below Zero and any other Robert Munsch book for that matter. Munsch books lend themselves well to being read aloud and they make it a really enjoyable experience for both children and adults.

Right now, if you live in Canada or the USA, you can enter for your chance to win a  copy of 50 Below Zero signed by Robert Munsch! Please visit our contest page for more information and to enter.

William’s Doll is the story of a little boy who wishes to have a doll. His brother calls him a sissy, his father  buys him a basketball and train set but William’s desire for a doll doesn’t lessen.

In comes good ol’ Grandma who understands William, takes him to the toy shop and together they get the doll.

William’s father, upset by this, asks, “Why does he need a doll?” and Grandma kindly explains, “so that when he’s a father like you, he’ll know how to take care of his baby and feed him and love him and bring him the things he wants, like a doll so that he can practice being a father. ”

I like William’s Doll because it’s not preachy or harsh in its message. Zolotow gently challenges gender stereotypes through a story that reminds us of the individuality of children, their needs and desires. It also teaches children that they may not be understood by everyone but that is okay and there will be someone out there who will offer support.

The images are quaint and perhaps a bit “old-fashioned” in style but this doesn’t detract from the book in any way.  Newer editions also have brightened up the colours a bit.

I’m pleased that even after 36 years since publication, William’s Doll is still a popular title in children’s books.

(The Reading to Kids website has some great discussion questions and activities for this book. Check it out!)

The brightly coloured images  will attract, and keep, the attention of young children as will the simple rhyming.

Cowlick! is a story about two little boys who wake up with, you guessed it, cowlicks! While the little boys are asleep a cow sneaks into their room and plants a kiss…Sluuurrpp…Sluuurrpp…Cowlick! The cow sneaks off before she’s caught and the little boys wake up with “Once-flat hair now standing tall”.

I think there’s a bit of a missed opportunity within the story. The  “Sluuurrpp…Sluuurrpp…” is very popular with kids and they thrive on repetition so an additional slurp or two wouldn’t have gone amiss.

The reading level for Cowlick! is stated as Ages 4-8 but I’d say it’s more suited to very young children, in the 18 months to 3 years age range. The bright pictures and short story will hold their attention and the slurping will be sure to get a few giggles out of them.