Do you know Flat Stanley?
According to Wikipedia: Flat Stanley is a 1964 children’s book written by Jeff Brown (January 1, 1926 – December 3, 2003) and originally illustrated byTomi Ungerer. It is the first in a series of books featuring Stanley Lambchop.
In 1995 Dale Hubert, a third grade teacher in Canada, started the Flat Stanley Project. The idea involved school children creating a Flat Stanley and keeping a journal with stories and pictures of Flat Stanley’s adventures. They would then exchange their Flat Stanley and journals with students in another class that had signed up for the project.
Since the original idea was formed, the project has undergone many evolutions, including sending a blank Flat Stanley to a location to be decorated in the customary or traditional costume of the area.
What the project meant to my daughters second grade class is that they each colored a Flat Stanley and mailed him off to the friend or family member of their choice and requested photos and a story in return. My daughter Alex chose to send her Flat Stanley to her brother Dom in college (after briefly considering sending him to a friend of ours currently living in China)
This is what Alex received back with her Flat Stanley:
November 2012
Flat Stanley visits Wittenberg University
Dear Alex,
I have always wanted to know what college life was like, so I was very excited when you sent me to Wittenberg University to visit your big brother Dominic.
The first thing I noticed as I left the mailroom with Dominic was that there are lots of very big, very old buildings, and giant pretty trees. The signs say that Wittenberg University was founded in 1845, so that explains its beautiful historic look.
As I looked around, I spied the tallest building on campus, and wondered what it was. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that it was the dorm where Dominic’s room is! It’s called Tower Hall, and Dominic’s room is in the “penthouse” – the top floor of the building.
Dominic took me up to his room, and I loved looking out of the window. I’m sure I could see all of Springfield, Ohio from there – and maybe beyond!! The photo I sent does not do the view justice.
Attending class with Dominic was a lot like going to school back in Chelsea. Only a lot more people in class, and Dominic doesn’t get recess.
When we returned from class, I got to meet Dominic’s roommate Colton, and I played video games with him for a while. It turns out that dorms are very social places. Dominic and Colton kept their door open, and people walking by would stop in and visit, or just say hi as they walked by. At one point Dominic put me on the bulletin board on the door, so I could watch the students and wave to them as they passed by.
Did I say that the dorm was full of football players? Well it is. Dominic and Colton play football too, and they took me down to the football field to see where they play. I was surprised to see how much it looked like the Chelsea High School Football field and stands – well, except for all of the red. There was even a hill on the sides of the field where kids can roll down with their friends!
I was having so much fun with Dominic and his friends, that I totally lost track of time, I’m so sorry that it took me so long to return to Chelsea. I had so much fun, and I can’t wait to go back. Or maybe next time you will send me to China? J
Love,
Flat Stanley
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| Flat Stanely with Dom’s roommate Colton, and The Tower where Dom and Colton live |
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| Flat Stanley looking out the window at Springfield, and hanging out on the door |
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| Flat Stanley visits Wittenberg University!! |
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Tressie Davis is a blogger and photographer located in Chelsea, MI.
Do you know Flat Stanley? 
