The Superior Express -

Youngsters participating in Superior Public Library's summer reading program followed the adventures of Flat Stanley, a character in a popular book series for young readers. Jeff Brown, the author of the book series, wrote the first Flat Stanley book in 1964. He did not write another Flat Stanley book for more than 20 years. Then he wrote five more books. By 2003, almost one million books had been sold in the United States. Brown died in 2003. In 2006, Scholastic republished the original book. Other authors have since continued writing Flat Stanley adventures.

The series centers around the life of Stanley Lambchop, a boy who was accidentally flattened by a bulletin board while sleeping. He discovers being flat has advantages. He can fit in an envelope and travel around the world through the mail system. Being flat also makes it difficult for others to see him so he can help in all kinds of situations. The series encourages youngsters to read and write.

Twenty-six readers participated in the six-week program at the library with 19 readers reaching their reading goals. Each week Vicki Perrie, library director, lead the participants on a Flat Stanley adventure. Grab and go craft projects were available for all who wanted to make crafts at home. To kick off the adventures, students made their own Flat Stanley and a travel game so Stanley could go with each reader.

Week two Flat Stanley led the readers to Mexico. The group made Mexican mirrors. Mirrors in Mexico are a form of folk-art using color and tin. Mexican mirrors are known for the craftsmanship that creates them.

Elephant silhouettes were created after the readers studied Africa with Flat Stanley during week three.

For week four, Flat Stanley helped the group learn about Australia. Perrie, her assistants and parents helped students make and stuff their own snake. Australia has the most snake species in the world.

Flat Stanley introduced the group to Egypt during week five. Because Egypt is known for gold and jewels, they painted boxes with jewels.

Freya Bargen shows off her origami cat she made with Luka Perrie's directions. The activity was part of the grand finale of the Superior Public Library summer reading program when participants learned about Japan.

Week six was the finale. Participants learned about Japan. One of the crafts Japan is known for is the art of origami. Luka Perrie, a fourth-grade student at Superior Elementary School, lead the group in crafts. Luka received a book on origami for Christmas. Since then, he has taught himself how to make the folded creations. He shared his skills making a heart and a cat with those attending last Wednesday. The participants followed his directions and made their own.

After treats and drawings for prizes, the readers chose a book, provided by Horizon Bank, to take home. Then they gathered around the Flat Stanley map on the library bulletin board. Earlier readers who reached their goals placed a pin with their name on the map. Behind the map was a mark. Jake Trisler had the pin closest to the mark and received movie tickets.

Flat Stanley taught the readers this summer about several places around the world and encouraged creativity and reading. The 26 participants read more than 250 hours during the six weeks and found reading can take you on new adventures.