Flat Stanley

Flat Stanley and the Flat Stanley project.  

What's it all about?  Flat Stanley is a children's book from the 1960s. The Flat Stanley project began in the mid 1990's, based on the book's storyline and main character.  Stanley.

Stanley has the misfortune, or opportunity, of having his bulletin board fall upon him in his bed, effectively flattening him. This proves to be the beginning of an adventure. Being flat, Stanley can now go into places too small to pass as a lad. After enjoying these adventures, Stanley is returned to his full self through the aid of his brother, and a tire pump.

The Flat Stanley project, inspired by the book, spreads Stanley's story much farther. After reading the book, third grade students make their own "Flat Stanley".  And he fits nicely in an envelope. And he can be mailed to other students, in other schools. And have his picture taken with new friends, in new places.

Over the years, Flat Stanley has been created, sent, and received, by thousands of school children. He has visited dozens and dozens of countries around the world. It's pretty amazing when you realize how widely traveled this idea, of Flat Stanley, has become.

An idea was directed to early Christian believers too, an idea based on faith. The early Christians had a message to share, a message of Good News. Jesus encouraged them to take this message, share it with others, and to travel, into all the world to preach the gospel.

Be encouraged by the Word of God:

From Mark 16

Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved."