STANLEY’S SCHOOL
From the Stanley series
by William Bee ; illustrated by William Bee
Stanley the hamster welcomes a cast of preschool rodents to his school as they enjoy a day of fun and learning together.
Hattie, Stanley’s assistant (also a hamster), rings the bell and ushers the children in. Stanley, wearing a green mortar board, takes attendance—Sophie and Benjamin (mice) and Little Woo (a mole?)—before reading a story, the children donning costumes to match the tale: Sophie’s a dragon, Little Woo’s a knight, and Benjamin’s a princess (in blue crown and tutu). During playtime, the three act out the story, but Benjamin, now equipped with a sword but still tutu-clad, changes the ending. In the garden, the children measure their beautiful sunflowers, but Little Woo’s forgotten to water his. Both his disappointment and Stanley’s empathy are plain. Lunch, nap time (for the adults, too!), and painting round out the day before Hattie rings the bell again and the students board the bus. Stanley heads home for the series’ typical ending: supper, a bath, and bed. The digital illustrations are done in a graphic style, with clean, sharp lines and solid, neon-bright colors. Bee isn’t afraid to break gender stereotypes, though Sophie does still sport a purple bow in her tail and Hattie, a flower in her ear.
Fans of the gentle hamster will want to know: What occupation will Stanley tackle next? (Picture book. 3-6)