The African Safari Discovery

Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures #6

by Josh Greenhut, Macky Pamintuan (Illustrator), Jeff Brown (Creator)

Stanley’s not the only flat one!
When a flat skull is discovered in Africa, Stanley Lambchop decides to travel there with his brother, Arthur, and their father, George. Maybe studying the skull will give them clues to Stanley's flatness. But once in Africa, the Lambchops are in for more adventure than they bargained for. From lions to zebras to elephants, it's the safari of a lifetime!

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Adventure, Chapter Books, Africa, Fantasy, Travel

112 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 21, 2010

Reviews

[Shelley · Rating 1 out of 5]

My husband likes going to the Little Library on our street. He seems to like to pick up children's books. We are new to being grandparents and he will pick up all levels of books. I've been reading them, then I will put them back. It's going to be years before Annie can get to them. I feel we shouldn't be hoarding them and let other children read them.

I remember when my children were into Flat Stanley. When they were in Kindergarten, they bought home a Flat Stanley and we had to take pictures of it with whatever we did over the weekend. It was a lot of fun! I guess somewhere along the years, the stories were written or maybe the stories were written first, and then then the cutout Flat Stanley came home with children?

Anyho, this was #6 in the series and well, the story was bad, really bad. It was so far-fetched parts didn't make sense and yeah, I know it's a children's book and it's supposed to be fun for children to read, but it didn't work for me. Boo!

Flat Stanley is, well flat and apparently Stanley got flatten by his bulletin board over his bed had fallen on him during the night. Oh dear. So, he's been going on other adventures in the previous 5 books, taking him all over the world because he is the only flat person until now. A flat skull has been discovered in Africa and he wants to see it because someone else was like him. He gets his wish and he is joined by his father, George, and his little brother, Arthur. Only two airline tickets are offered by the Famous Museum and poor Stanley is checked underneath the cabin with the passenger baggage.

Apparently Mrs. Lambchop, Stanley's mother is a grammar freak and is in the Grammar Society. I did not like her.

The best part of the story was at the end with, "What you need to know to go on your own African safari" and gave 7 facts about Africa.

[Claudia]

Stanley’s family heard of a flat skull found in Africa. Stanley wants to go and see what it is all about because if it really is a flat skull he might get some answers as to why he is flat. Stanley and his family get on a plane and go to Africa, they have to overcome challenges to finally get to the skull, will it hold any answers? This was a cute book. I like how Flat Stanley was excited to meet someone like him; it was cute.

[Goddess of Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Now this is an adventure!”

Stanley is off on another adventure, but this one is a family affair for the Lambchop men. It's a chance for the boys to see their father's human/mere mortal side, and for the three to face challenges together -- and best of all, discover if those challenges will push them apart, or pull them together.

[Aaliyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book! Nice story and set up good! ⚠️ WARNING SPOILERS ⚠️ Stanley, Arthur, and Their dad went on a trip to the savanna to see a flat skull like Stanley's. They met some people who would take them there. They rode a plane but had to jump out of the plane. They drifted down the river to find the skull. They went back home to live their lifes.

[Tisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

We are flying through this series. Fun to learn about Africa and follow Stanley through another absurd adventure. Poor guy!

[Suzanne]

Mrs. Lambchop needs to get over herself.

[Adithya Venkatraman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, must read

[V Adithya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book.

[Fenco Chen]

Lexile®: 620L, 6292W, 80%, 6y4m

[Jodi Escalante · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to love this series, but it’s pretty cheesy. The series is geared for 7-10 year olds, but I can’t imagine my 10 year old engaging with it.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures: The African Safari Discovery (1st-3rd Grade Students)

Stanley was not like anyone else he knew- he was completely flat! His bulletin board had fallen on him while he was sleeping one night, and since then he has been only half an inch thick. His unique shape had made it possible for him to go on all kinds of adventures, and in this story he flies in the cargo area of a plane to Nairobi, Africa in search of a flat skull! Along the way, Stanley, his dad, and his brother Arthur face a variety of new and scary experiences. They have to jump out of a plane, get face-to-face with lions, and meet a family from the Masai tribe. Through all these adventures, will Stanley find what he's looking for? Is it really possible that there could have been another human being with a flattened shape, just like Stanley?

Thinking Questions:

1. At the beginning of the book, Stanley feels discouraged because he doesn't know anyone else who is flat like him. Have you ever felt sad for being different than someone else?

2. While going on this adventure, Stanley has to do several things that are really scary. He jumps out of a plane without a parachute and lands in front of a hungry lion! Have you ever had to face your fears and do something really scary, just like Stanley?

3. When Stanley and Arthur are in the canoe, they start fighting over who should paddle. Have you ever been in an argument with a sibling or friend? How did you work it out? Do you have any advice to help Stanley and his brother in this situation?

4. There are a lot of things Stanley gets to do because he is flat. He can fly by air mail, find missing toys under the couch, be his own parachute, and act as a paddle for a canoe. Each one of us is unique in some way. What things can you do that make you special?

5. At the end of the book, Stanley returns home without finding out why he is flat, but he learns to be happy with the way he is. Do you think he will go on anymore adventures? What other things could Stanley do because of his unique shape?

Greenhut, J., & Brown, J. (2011). The African Safari Discovery. New York: Harper.

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once you get beyond the sheer improbability of the plot and the leaps in logic, this is a fun book. Flat Stanley is now in a series in which he travels all over the world seeing and doing interesting things. Sometimes he's mailed from place to place; sometimes he goes as an airplane passenger or other more usual method of transportation. This time he's off to somewhere in Africa, accompanied by his father and brother--unfortunately, they have seats in the passenger compartment while Flat Stanley is relegated to a boring ride in the baggage compartment. They arrive in Nairobi and gradually make their way south to the "somewhere in Africa," having all sorts of adventures while seeing wild animals along the way and meeting some helpful Masai people and some unhelpful others.

There are good illustrations to help push the story along.

This book and others in the series may well get kids interested in geography, travel, and adventuring. It's fun and funny. 2nd grade and up.

[Karen Arendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another choice for book club for 3rd grade- the books were only $1 through Scholastic Book club this month! Flat Stanley, his father, and his brother travel to Africa to look at a flat skull recently discovered there. As a Flat Stanley story, the adventure is most of the fun. Showing students a map of Africa, pointing out Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, and Lake Victoria before they begin the story will be fun. Students will enjoy the mishaps that befall them. The ending is a bit of a twist- at least I didn't see it coming- not that I was looking, though...

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the ONLY middle grade books set in Africa. It is fun and playful -- as always this series makes you laugh! And it makes you think -- about what it means to different, and how every kid just wants their parents to love them for who they are.
The descriptions of Africa and unexpected and not clichéd. Stanley meets different people who are all helpful -- except a certain character. I won't say more, don't want to spoil it.

[Andrea R.]

I really enjoyed reading the book, The African Safari Discovery. The thing that I most like about this book is the way the author describes every movement and conversation, with so many details. Also I think that this book isn't only for little kids, but also for teens or maybe even adults who want to have a little fun. I honestly don’t think that this book has any weaknesses. It a very adventurous book. I really enjoyed it.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another book from the Flat Stanley's Series. My students really enjoy these books and the imagination behind them. This book also can be used to teach about the landscape, environment, animals, and culture of Africa. I enjoyed this book, and can see where it would tie in with a unit on Africa.

[Jordyn Braun]

Audience: This would be a great book for students 4th-6th grade because the reading level is a tad more in depth and there are more words on the pages.
Appeal: This book would be a great tie along to a science lesson, possibly dealing with fossils and bones, because the book introduces a "scull" that Stanley finds.

Pre-class book

[Amanda S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not familiar with this series and was afraid that I would not know all the happenings of Flat Stanley, but that was not the case. From the very beginning of the book, the author tells a brief story of how Stanley became flat and discusses the multiple adventures that he has been on. Great book to get students reading.

[Michelle Bridges · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute book. Flat Stanley gets to go on an adventure to Africa to. See a flat skull. There are adventures and good messages about self worth and being happy with how he is. Also some good facts about Africa. It's a simple book for new readers of chapter books. Maybe 2-3rd grade level, or end of 1st.

[Juan-Diego · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the part when Stanley acted as parachute when he jumped off the plane that was funny too! How did Stanley becoame flat? Why did Stanley's dad use him as a paddle? How did Stanley get stuck in the earth if he was flat? What was animals name thst had the flat scull?

[z.diddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The safari seemed fun because they jumped out of a plane.

[Kindra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audience: 3-4th graders for boys or girls
Appeal: easy to read text. mentions safari animals so would relate to science or geography units. it gives facts in the back of the book.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

when stanley goes to africa he wants to see flat skull. he thought seeing it would help his discover the reason why he was flat. he doesn't find out the reason.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

We really enjoyed this whole series

[Hillvan]

620L

[Karen Dransfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

A news item in the paper has Stanley, dad and brother heading to Africa to investigate a flattened skull found in an archeaology dig. They are hoping for some answers to Stanley's condition.

[Chelsie Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story.

[Maurice Thomas]

it's a adventurous book,and I don't understand how he was able to live by being flattened by a bulletin board.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a lively story, about a boy who had been knocked flat by his bulletin board. Africa was well described, as were the animals. It was a lovely story of adventure, and learning.

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stanley uses himself as a parachute and paddle while on the way to Africa where they have found a flat skull!