Stanley at Sea,

Stanley is not allowed to beg and at the family picnic all his pleading overtures for food are ignored. In desperation he wanders to the river where he meets his other doggy pals, and together they go in search of something to eat elsewhere. After several disappointments the delicious smell of ham emanating from a small rowboat leads them to rush aboard to enjoy the feast. Suddenly they find themselves drifting out to sea. They are off on a huge adventure which takes them to the end of “Outside.” Needless to say, the story has a happy ending as they are rescued and fed delicious wieners, steaks, and sausages. Later they have an adventure to look back on and think about.

The story is comic with a delightful sense of the absurd, and the dogs each retain their distinctive doggy characters throughout. Stanley has a wonderfully expressive loveable personality, which never loses its canine qualities right down to his hangdog air of martyrdom or his sense of curiosity and occasional superiority.

The artwork is acrylic on gessoed paper and is truly delightful, each incident being reflected on a double-page spread so that the illustrations are large and sweeping. There are many subtle humorous touches that enrich and reinforce the text.

The combination of the exuberant artwork by Bill Slavin and the imaginative, lighthearted story are a perfect combination. This wonderful picture book is a must-read for all children and a necessary purchase for all libraries. Highly recommended.