Stanley's Wild Ride

Linda Ludke is a children’s librarian at the London Public Library.

Stanley the dog is bored staying within the confines of his backyard.
Yearning for excitement, he digs his way to the other side of the fence.
With his newfound freedom, Stanley feels “like a million dog
biscuits.” Four of his canine friends also go on the lam, and have a
great time chasing tomcats, soaking tires, and eating from garbage cans.
During their night of debauchery, Stanley discovers an abandoned
skateboard. After careful investigation (“smells like feet”), he
hops onboard and goes on an exhilarating ride of a lifetime. His cohorts
find their own modes of transportation, and together they explore the
wild side of town. When Stanley’s raucous adventure comes to an end,
he is “dog-tired” and reflective. He now knows that the world “is
full of ups and downs,” and there “is always a way past a fence!”


Bill Slavin’s textured acrylic illustrations capture the humour of
the text. The raucous scenes of the animals careening down the street on
a tricycle, grocery cart, red wagon, and a roller skate—all with their
tongues hanging out—are sure to elicit giggles. The pages are brimming
with close-ups of bewildered doggy facial expressions. Many details are
presented from the pooch’s perspective, so Stanley’s owners only
appear as the slippered feet that “tasted sleepy.”

This hilarious companion to Stanley’s Party (2003) is highly
recommended.