Beth Anderson, Children's Writer

 Title: It’s Only Stanley
Written and Illustrated by: Jon Agee
Dial Books for Young Readers, 2015 – fiction
Suitable for ages: 5-8
Lexile: AD370L
Themes/topics: dogs, invention, family

Opening:
The Wimbledons were sleeping.
It was very, very late,
When Wilma heard a spooky sound,
Which made her sit up strait.
“That’s very odd,” said Walter.
I don’t recognize the tune…”    

Brief synopsis: (from the jacket) It’s nighttime at the Wimbledons’, and everybody hears odd noises. Walter looks around and finds Stanley, the dog, hard at work. “He fixed the oil tank,” Walter tells his family. “He cleared the bathtub drain.” But Stanley is up to something far more impressive…(no spoilers allowed)

Resources/Activites:
See the Parent/Teacher Resource page or click here for Activities.

Why I like this book: This book is just pure fun. The rhymes flow, and the illustrations are lively and imaginative. Great for kids who love dogs. Writers, take a look at the page breaks.

Visit author Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Books for a plethora of picture books listed by title and topic/theme, each with teacher/parent resources.