By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
Flat Stanley (Stanley Lambchop) is the main character in the book “Flat Stanley” written by Jeff Brown, published in 1964. In the children’s book Stanley Lambchop has the unfortunate luck of being flattened by a bulletin board — from there on he becomes Flat Stanley, realizing that being flat really isn’t so bad because he can fit into an envelope and be sent all over the world where he has his picture taken at amazingly different events.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Debbie Sirois, left, and Jean Shaw, children’s librarian at the Caribou Public Library, brought their own special guests to the recent 10th annual Doll Tea Party held at the library. Joining Sirois and Shaw were two, very different-sized “Flat Stanleys.” Sirois received hers in the mail from her grandson Tanner, who lives in Arizona, while Shaw’s great nephew Casey sent his from Waterbury, Connecticut. The Flat Stanley Project, derived from a character in the 1964 book “Flat Stanley” by Jeff Brown, has become recognized by educators world-wide as a fun and interesting way for students (and adults) to learn about different locations and cultures.
Educators throughout the country (world) have included “Flat Stanley” in their language, math and social studies curriculums, providing students a way of being in contact with relatives, friends and students in other states or countries.
Individual Flat Stanleys are drawn and cut out (or purchased) then a face and clothing are colored to complete the character. From there, he is sent in the mail to wherever or whomever the student wishes.
Upon receiving a Flat Stanley, the chosen individual takes him to interesting places within their community, photographing him at specific events then by a specified date, Flat Stanley returns to his sender.
“Tanner calls me just about every night,” said Debbie Sirois, “he will ask me how Stanley is doing then wants to talk to him.” Tanner is Sirois’ 7-year-old grandson who attends Los Sendas Elementary School in Mesa, Arizona. Traveling approximately 3,000 miles to Caribou, Tanner’s Flat Stanley has been everywhere with Sirois, “I even have a picture of him attending the Doll Tea Party and ice fishing,” said Sirois who will be sending her grandson’s Flat Stanley back to him in the very near future.
Shaw’s Flat Stanley was sent to her by her 8-year-old great nephew Casey, who lives in Waterbury, Connecticut.
The children’s librarian is a member of a local group of ladies who call themselves the “Galloping Gourmets” because they frequently travel to area restaurants or even to each other’s homes for special dinners. “I have to have Casey’s Flat Stanley back to him at school sometime in April,” said Shaw, but already I have photographs of him here at the library and at church and I will bring him along when we go out to dinner.”
