Wants the original story
Start with Flat Stanley, then read the six original novels in publication order.
Book Series · 6 Books
Flat Stanley Books
In order from Flat Stanley to Stanley, Flat Again!.
A funny children's-book world that begins when Stanley Lambchop is flattened by a bulletin board—and expands into original novels, global adventures, early readers, classroom stories, and a graphic adaptation.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read the Flat Stanley Books
New readers can begin with Flat Stanley, the first of Jeff Brown's six original novels, and read that line in publication order. The Worldwide Adventures continue Stanley's travels in a separately numbered series, while I Can Read and Classroom Adventures offer shorter stories for different reading needs.
The lines do not form one continuous numbered sequence. Choose the original novels for the classic story, I Can Read for beginning readers, Classroom Adventures for short STEM-centered stories, Worldwide Adventures for longer travel mysteries, or the graphic novel for a visual retelling of the first book.
Sources: HarperCollins publisher metadata for Flat Stanley, HarperCollins publisher metadata for Worldwide Adventures #1.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
The central joke treats Stanley's impossible flattening lightly. Stories include kidnappers, thieves, travel mishaps, historical mysteries, and children in mild danger, but problems are resolved with ingenuity and the tone stays playful rather than frightening.
Reading difficulty varies substantially across the umbrella. The I Can Read books use shorter text, Classroom Adventures pair stories with simple science and engineering ideas, and Worldwide Adventures are longer chapter books. A child does not need to complete every line to understand the others.
Where to start
Which Flat Stanley Books Should My Child Start With?
Pick the line that best matches your child's reading confidence and interests.
Is beginning to read independently
Try the shorter I Can Read adventures, which use familiar characters without requiring the longer novels first.
Likes travel and mysteries
Begin Worldwide Adventures with The Mount Rushmore Calamity and follow that line's own numbering.
Likes science and school projects
Choose Classroom Adventures for shorter stories built around STEM ideas and classroom situations.
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$674
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 1964
Flat Stanley
By Jeff Brown, Macky Pamintuan (Illustrator)
A boy wakes up one morning to find himself flat as a pancake after a bulletin board falls on him during the night.
96 pages· 4,363 words· Est. 49 min read
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Stanley Lambchop wakes up flat as a pancake after a bulletin board mishap. Now, he can be mailed, flown like a kite, and even help catch art thieves. Can this unexpected transformation turn him into a hero? Join Stanley on his whimsical journey, where being flat opens up a world of possibilities and challenges. Will his new shape be a blessing or a curse? Discover the adventures that have captivated young readers for generations in this delightful tale of creativity and courage.
Original novels
The Original Flat Stanley Books
6 books · Published 1964–2003
The six classic novels by Jeff Brown, beginning with Stanley's flattening and continuing through his family's unusual adventures.
#1
Sale price
$674
Flat Stanley
Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 1964
A boy wakes up one morning to find himself flat as a pancake after a bulletin board falls on him during the night.
#2
Sale price
$474
Stanley and the Magic Lamp
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 1983
A boy discovers a magic lamp and releases a genie who grants his wishes, but things don't always go as planned.
#3
Sale price
$674
Stanley in Space
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 1990
A family travels to a distant planet to meet an alien race.
#4
Sale price
$674
Invisible Stanley
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 1996
Stanley turns invisible after a storm. Can he return to normal?
#5
Sale price
$1639
Stanley's Christmas Adventure
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 1993
A young girl travels to a boy's house to ask for his help in saving Christmas
#6
Sale price
$674
Stanley, Flat Again!
Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2003
A boy who has the ability to become flat must navigate the challenges of his condition while also helping others in need.
Longer travel adventures
Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures
15 books · Published 2009–2018
A separately numbered chapter-book line that sends Stanley and his family to landmarks and countries around the world.
#1
Sale price
$674
The Mount Rushmore Calamity
Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2009
A family embarks on a vacation to Mount Rushmore, where they meet a cowgirl and get caught up in a mystery involving a gold mine
#2
Sale price
$674
The Great Egyptian Grave Robbery
Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2009
A boy is sent to Egypt to help with an archaeological expedition, but things take a turn when he discovers the true intentions of the expedition leader.
#3
Sale price
$474
The Japanese Ninja Surprise
Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2009
A young boy travels to Japan to meet his idol, the famous movie star Oda Nobu, and becomes his personal ninja, but things take a turn when Oda Nobu is kidnapped by a group of crazy fans.
#4
Sale price
$674
The Intrepid Canadian Expedition
Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2009
A boy and his brother go on a skiing vacation, but things take a turn when the brother gets injured and the boy meets a new friend who helps him navigate a series of adventures
#5
Sale price
$674
The Amazing Mexican Secret
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2010
A flat boy travels to Mexico to discover the secret ingredient of a famous chef's dish.
#6
Sale price
$474
The African Safari Discovery
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2010
A boy travels to Africa to find answers about his flatness
#7
Sale price
$674
The Flying Chinese Wonders
Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2011
A boy is flattened by a bulletin board and becomes involved in a Chinese acrobatic performance
#8
Sale price
$674
The Australian Boomerang Bonanza
Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2011
A boomerang mishap sends Stanley on a wild Australian outback adventure.
#9
Sale price
$674
The US Capital Commotion
Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2011
A boy who was flattened by a bulletin board travels the world and becomes a national hero in the United States
#10
Sale price
$759
Showdown at the Alamo
Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2013
A mysterious truck follows Stanley in Texas, leading to a suspenseful showdown at the Alamo.
#11
Sale price
$674
Framed in France
Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2014
A flat boy goes on a secret mission to protect the Mona Lisa from being stolen.
#12
Sale price
$674
Escape to California
Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2014
A boy helps a girl in a wheelchair escape from Alcatraz Island.
#13
Sale price
$474
The Midnight Ride of Flat Revere
Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2016
Stanley faces a choice: stay flat or become a regular kid in Boston's historic adventure.
#14
Sale price
$759
On a Mission for Her Majesty
Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2017
A boy is tasked with finding a missing ring that is part of the crown jewels.
#15
Sale price
$674
Lost in New York
Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2018
Lost in New York, can Stanley find his way back before the big event?
Beginning readers
Flat Stanley I Can Read
10 books · Published 2009–2019
Shorter adventures designed for children building confidence with independent reading.
Sale price
$574
Flat Stanley and the Firehouse
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2009
A firehouse visit turns into an unexpected rescue mission.
Sale price
$574
Flat Stanley and the Haunted House
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2010
A boy and his brother attend a Halloween party at school and help a friend retrieve a stolen prize from a bully.
Sale price
$574
Flat Stanley at Bat
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2012
A boy who has been flat since a bulletin board fell on him tries out for a baseball team.
Sale price
$574
Flat Stanley Goes Camping
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2013
A boy's flatness helps him save the day on a family camping trip.
Sale price
$574
Flat Stanley
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2014
A missing ring turns show-and-tell into a mystery. Can it be found?
Sale price
$474
Flat Stanley and the Very Big Cookie
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2015
A flat boy helps a baker come up with a new idea to save his business.
Sale price
$574
Flat Stanley On Ice
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2015
Stanley skates on thin ice as the weather warms unexpectedly.
Sale price
$574
Flat Stanley and the Lost Treasure
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2016
Flat Stanley discovers sunken treasure but must choose between gold and saving a dolphin. Will he find the treasure again?
Sale price
$574
Flat Stanley and the Missing Pumpkins
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2017
A boy helps his uncle solve a mystery on his farm.
Sale price
$574
Flat Stanley and the Bees
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2019
Flat Stanley must outsmart bees to save his friends during a backyard game.
STEM classroom stories
Flat Stanley's Adventures in Classroom 2E
4 books · Published 2023–2025
Short school adventures that connect Stanley's unusual abilities with approachable science and engineering ideas.
#1
Sale price
$674
Class Pet Surprise
Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2023
A class pet escapes, sparking a STEM adventure to recapture it.
#4
Sale price
$1597
The Great Robot Race
Chapter Book · Ages 4–8 · 2025
Can Stanley and Marco win the robot race without breaking the rules?
Sale price
$1697
Riding the Slides
Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2023
Can Stanley prove his flatness isn't cheating in playground games?
Sale price
$574
Flat Stanley's Adventures in Classroom 2E #3: The 100th Day: A Fun STEM Adventure About Problem-Solving and Numbers for Kids
Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2024
Stanley must solve a math puzzle to bring the perfect treat to a school celebration.
Visual adaptation
Flat Stanley Graphic Novel
1 book · Published 2025
A full-color retelling of the original Flat Stanley story rather than a new installment after the novels.
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1498
Flat Stanley (Graphic Novel)
Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2025
A boy wakes up flat and discovers a world of unexpected adventures.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Flat Stanley series?
There are 6 books in the Flat Stanley series. It began with Flat Stanley in 1964, and the newest book, Stanley, Flat Again!, was published in 2003.
What order should you read the Flat Stanley books in?
Start with Flat Stanley and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #6.
What ages are the Flat Stanley books best for?
The series is best for ages 6–10, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
Which Flat Stanley book is the longest?
Stanley and the Magic Lamp (Book #2) is the longest book in the series at 7,450 words (115 pages).
Which Flat Stanley book is the shortest?
Flat Stanley (Book #1) is the shortest at 4,363 words (96 pages).
The people
The Creatives Behind the Books
The people who bring Flat Stanley to life.
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