Stanley's Party

The uproarious story of a good dog who unleashes his inner party animal when his folks go away. Publishers Weekly It is truly a dog's life for the barrel-chested pooch Stanley, once he discovers that he can loll on the forbidden couch, crank up the stereo and raid the fridge with impunity-as long as he covers his tracks before [his] people return from their frequent late nights out. Knowing that readers will find parallels in their own covert episodes, Bailey and Slavin (previously teamed for the Good Times Travel Agency series) extol the heady liberation that comes from Stanley's pushing the bad behavior envelope. The couch was more comfortable than he'd ever dreamed.... He put his paws up on the cushions. He sprawled and squirmed and sniffed the leather trim. The couch was wonderful! Working in nubby and almost iridescent acrylics, Slavin captures Stanley in a state of illicit, legs-in-the-air ecstasy. His portrayals of dogs throughout offer a hilarious, knowing perspective. The lush life comes crashing down, however, when Stanley decides to share the fun with his canine friends (including the memorably named Gassy Jack), and word hits the doggie grapevine, bringing out Drooling dogs. Dainty dogs. Dogs that needed a bath. Yet readers will cheer that the lesson of the resulting canine mel e is directed not at Stanley, but rather his mildly neglectful owners. This is first-class entertainment all the way, with a last line-If you don't believe me, ask your dog-that's cheekiness itself. Ages 3-7. (Mar.) Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information. Harry, the dirty dog: When a white dog with black spots runs away from home, he gets so dirty his family doesn't recognize him as a black dog with white spots. Harry is a white dog with black spots who loves everything ... except baths. So one day before bath time, Harry runs away. He plays outside all day long, digging and sliding in everything from garden soil to pavement tar. By the time he returns home, Harry is so dirty he looks like a black dog with white spots. His family doesn't even recognize him! Stanley's people go out a lot. Stanley is a good dog, but one night, while they're away, the temptation becomes too great and he sneaks up onto the couch. What a wonderful experience! Soon he's also blasting the music, dancing around the living room and raiding the fridge. Stanley's never had so much fun! But after a couple of weeks something is missing, and Stanley realizes that partying alone has lost its thrill. Stanley's a good dog whose people go out a lot, and one night the temptation is just too much for him. Soon he's sitting on the couch, then dancing to music, then raiding the fridge! But things really go crazy when he invites all his friends over for a party. Grades K-3. 2003 Underwater dogs: Photographs and simple, rhyming text reveal what goes on beneath the surface as various dogs swim to fetch their favorite toys. Includes facts about the different dog breeds depicted Stanley the dog, having discovered he can get away with a lot while his owners are out, takes things a little too far when he decides to have a party that gets way out of hand Chewy Louie: A family may have to get rid of their new pet, a cute puppy that eats everything in sight, including toys, bowls, and porches Stanley's party: Stanley is a good dog, but one night when his humans are out, he can't help throwing a wild party When Stanley The Dog's Owners Go Out At Night, He Likes To See How Much Mischief He Can Get Away With.