Stanley and the Class Pet - Hardcover

Saltzberg, Barney

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0763635952 ISBN 13: 9780763635954

Publisher: Candlewick, 2008

Synopsis

Uh-oh! Stanley learns the hard way not to bow to peer pressure in a gently humorous tale about responsibility — and the value of supportive friends.

Finally! It is Stanley’s turn to take the class pet home for the weekend. He can’t wait to show Figgy to his mother and spend some quality time taking care of the bird. But when Figgy flies the coop, Stanley is faced with a very tricky problem. What to do? And whose fault is it, really — his, for agreeing to open Figgy’s cage, which he knew was a bad idea, or Larry Finchfeather’s for suggesting it? In this third story about the lovably earnest Stanley Birdbaum, everyone’s favorite hamster once again finds a way to make things right — with a little help from his friends.

About this title

About the Author:

Barney Saltzberg is the author-illustrator of two other much-loved books about Stanley Birdbaum. He also created CORNELIUS P. MUD, ARE YOU READY FOR BED? and CORNELIUS P. MUD, ARE YOU READY FOR SCHOOL?, among many other titles. Barney Saltzberg lives in Los Angeles.

From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 2—In Crazy Hair Day (2003) and Star of the Week (2006, both Candlewick), Stanley landed in awkward situations, but all was happily resolved with the aid of his kind and insightful teacher, Mr. Winger. While this book follows the same formula, the result is problematic. Stanley finally gets to take the class pet home for the weekend. Persuaded by his friend Larry that the bright green bird needs exercise, Stanley opens the cage door and Figgy escapes, never to return. At first Stanley blames Larry, but he eventually accepts responsibility, and both boys apologize to Mr. Winger. At his suggestion, the children share a few fond memories of the bird and then the class replaces him with not one but four new pets. On the last spread, Figgy is pictured against a serene blue background enjoying his new life in a tree with other birds. First, allowing a pet to go home with a child who does not have a clear idea of how to care for it is tantamount to abuse. Second, domestic pets released into the wild rarely survive; Stanley's actions have probably killed the bird, and picturing Figgy enjoying his freedom is misleading. Third, the idea that living things are so easily replaced does not sit well.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ
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About this edition

• Publisher: Candlewick
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0763635952
• ISBN 13: 9780763635954
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Saltzberg Barney