Stanley's Party - Hardcover

Bailey, Linda

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1553373820 ISBN 13: 9781553373827

Publisher: Kids Can Press, 2003

Synopsis

Stanley's people go out a lot. Stanley is a good dog, but one night, while they're away, the temptation becomes too great and he sneaks up onto the couch. What a wonderful experience! Soon he's also blasting the music, dancing around the living room and raiding the fridge. Stanley's never had so much fun! But after a couple of weeks something is missing, and Stanley realizes that partying alone has lost its thrill.

About this title

About the Authors

Linda Bailey is an award-winning author of many books for children, including Goodnight Sweet Pig, Stanley's Party, the Stevie Diamond Mysteries, and the Good Times Travel Agency series. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Bill Slavin is an award-winning children's book illustrator with over 50 books to his credit. His works include Stanley's Party and The Bear on the Bed He lives in Millbrook, Ontario.

Reviews

PreSchool-Grade 3-With chuckles on nearly every page, this humorous story makes an ideal read-aloud. One night when his owners are out, a scruffy brown dog carefully climbs onto the forbidden soft sofa and discovers how comfortable it is. His "people" are rarely home before midnight, so he begins experimenting with other taboo activities: he turns on the stereo, dances up a storm, and raids the refrigerator. Wanting to spread the joy, he invites his canine friends over for some fun. The word spreads and soon Stanley's house is overrun with partying pooches. Unfortunately, his owners come home early and discover the revelry. Having learned their lesson, Stanley's people now take their pet with them whenever they go out for the evening. The breezy text brims with Stanley's inner thoughts and dialogue. Painted in acrylics over gessoed paper, the illustrations have a scratchy, terrier-furlike texture. Observant readers will find plenty to laugh about in the mostly full-page spreads, which are awash with cool, muted tones. Slavin captures the frivolity of Stanley's bash by portraying a pooch wearing a lampshade and a budding romance between a diminutive Yorkie and a brown-and-white bulldog. Dog lovers and party animals alike will howl with delight.
Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, WI
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

PreS-Gr. 2. In Hoe Baek Lee's While We Were Out [BKL Ap 15 03], a pet rabbit explores the house while her owners are out. This book has the same premise, but the pet is a dog, and his adventures turn raucous. The first night Stanley's people are gone, he timidly jumps on the couch. When he realizes that his owners haven't noticed, he begins taking larger liberties--playing music, eating leftovers from the fridge. Then, like so many teenagers, Stanley gets a bright idea: he'll have a party! He invites dogs from all over the neighborhood, and they tear the house apart. Then his owners return. The downside of Stanley's merrymaking is having to clean the house; the upside is being taken along whenever his people go out. A clever ending is a twist on the idea of a dog's tale. The artwork, executed in acrylics, is bursting with life, especially the last several scenes in which dogs of every shape and stripe cavort around the house. A well-plotted delight. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Kids Can Press
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1553373820
• ISBN 13: 9781553373827
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Slavin Bill
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32