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Somebody Swallowed Stanley: an ocean plastic story
"Plastic bags don't belong in the sea!"
Everybody has a taste for Stanley, but he is no ordinary jellyfish.
Most jellyfish have dangly-gangly tentacles, but Stanley has two handles...
Other jellyfish have a magical glow, but Stanley has stripes...
A powerful message about plastic pollution from environmental expert Sarah Roberts.
34 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2019
3 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 10, 2023
Tem ilustrações muito bonitas e é uma história bem significativa, com pedagogia (bastante ) sem se tornar chato. Gostei bastante e embora as idades recomendadas sejam algo muito subjetivo, diria que por ser simples, com frases curtas e ainda por cima parece que acompanham o saco quando ele flutua por todo lado, é para idades entre os 6 e os 8 anos. Lógico que para quem como eu adora ler livros infanto-juvenis é também aconselhável dos 0 aos 100😁
Tomé é um saco que vai parar ao mar. Na sua viagem pelo oceano é engolido por vários animais marinhos. Mas, por sorte ninguém sufoca ...apenas quase, quase ...vale a pena e para mais novos ( e também mais velhos) é um alerta com desenhos tão engraçados!
http://magic70wolf.blogspot.com/2023/...
Tomé é um saco que vai parar ao mar. Na sua viagem pelo oceano é engolido por vários animais marinhos. Mas, por sorte ninguém sufoca ...apenas quase, quase ...vale a pena e para mais novos ( e também mais velhos) é um alerta com desenhos tão engraçados!
http://magic70wolf.blogspot.com/2023/...
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July 27, 2019Read to my three year old at bedtime, who cried out, frustrated, about three quarters of the way through “this is boah-wing to me! It’s yust Stanley gets swallowed again and again!”. We switched to something else, which she listened to for precisely 22 seconds before she was dead asleep. So I don’t think her review was legit. I really liked the illustration, myself. She sort of has a point about the story, but that’s just, like, her opinion, man. TL;DR: exhausted child irrationally hates everything.
Sorry, this is not really a book review, it’s more of an anecdote.
Sorry, this is not really a book review, it’s more of an anecdote.
April 7, 2020
On World Book Day our school was lucky enough to be visited by Sarah and she shared this book during assembly with the school. Despite being a picture book, every child in the school loved it and dare I say it, they were more engaged with this compared to usual assemblies. The messages that came from the book and the potential to go into fine detail about the animals involved within the story and the science behind plastic pollution was incredible.
Stanley is a plastic bag and the story follows his journey through ocean where he stumbles upon a number of creatures before eventually being reused. I read this book over FaceTime to my 5 year old niece and she absolutely loved the story, the characters and was able to relate to the moral of the book too which I think is testament to the clever way it has been written.
From speaking to Sarah, there are more books on the way and this 27 year old will unashamedly be first in line for the next one.
Stanley is a plastic bag and the story follows his journey through ocean where he stumbles upon a number of creatures before eventually being reused. I read this book over FaceTime to my 5 year old niece and she absolutely loved the story, the characters and was able to relate to the moral of the book too which I think is testament to the clever way it has been written.
From speaking to Sarah, there are more books on the way and this 27 year old will unashamedly be first in line for the next one.
July 6, 2020
This story is lovely and very thought-provoking. Stanley is a discarded plastic bag and he makes a very eventful journey through the sea. He is mistaken for a jellyfish and eaten by a number of unfortunate animals.
This story touches on sustainability and educates about the damage of a single plastic bag for wildlife and the natural environment. It could be the starting point for sparking a number of interesting conversations. It is also full of beautiful illustrations and is very current.
This story touches on sustainability and educates about the damage of a single plastic bag for wildlife and the natural environment. It could be the starting point for sparking a number of interesting conversations. It is also full of beautiful illustrations and is very current.
September 23, 2020
A beautifully illustrated book that shows the impact of litter on our seas and the creatures in them
February 4, 2025
Book 08 of my 2025 Goodreads Challenge
Danger lurks in the oceans and sky
Stanley is a little carrier bag that gets blown into the ocean. His adventure leads him through the seas where animals aim to swallow him because they don't know any better, and he really should not be in the ocean in the first place.
A story of environmental issues.
Miss Ruby Heart enjoyed it and gives it a 4 Paw rating 🐾🐾 = 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Danger lurks in the oceans and sky
Stanley is a little carrier bag that gets blown into the ocean. His adventure leads him through the seas where animals aim to swallow him because they don't know any better, and he really should not be in the ocean in the first place.
A story of environmental issues.
Miss Ruby Heart enjoyed it and gives it a 4 Paw rating 🐾🐾 = 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
June 15, 2020
"Stanley swept into the sea with a splash and a splish. 'Perhaps he's one of us?' thought the other jellyfish. But his stripes were too straight and his tentacles too few. He just floated in the sea, not sure what to do. You see, Stanley was no ordinary jellyfish."
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We follow Stanley the red stripy plastic bag as he floats in his new home, the ocean. Poor Stanley is often mistaken as a tasty meal by other sea creatures. He is swallowed by a whale, pecked by seagulls, and finally got a turtle choked. Luckily a boy found and saved the turtle, and repurposed Stanley into a kite!
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Environmental issues have always been close to heart for me, not only because it's related to my job, but also because of personal concern about what kind of world we will inherit to our children. So when the overwhelming problem of plastic waste is translated into an engaging story and adorable illustration for young readers such as this, I naturally love it. It tells the issue of plastic waste and its danger that we face today through a simple story suitable and relatable for kids. It is the perfect starting point to discuss this important issue, on the need to be mindful of our plastic use in daily life, on how our action can affect others, and on the importance of taking care of our environment and animal friends. It is also worthy to mention the rhyming wordplay on every page, which of course makes it all the more enjoyable to read aloud ❤
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It just so happened, my daughter spotted a plastic bag just like Stanley floating in the ocean during our boat ride a few months ago. My daughter exclaimed 'Stanley!' and asked why it didn't have eyes like Stanley in the book 😄 It's sad that the problem is so real though 😕
IG @booksandblocks.id
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We follow Stanley the red stripy plastic bag as he floats in his new home, the ocean. Poor Stanley is often mistaken as a tasty meal by other sea creatures. He is swallowed by a whale, pecked by seagulls, and finally got a turtle choked. Luckily a boy found and saved the turtle, and repurposed Stanley into a kite!
.
Environmental issues have always been close to heart for me, not only because it's related to my job, but also because of personal concern about what kind of world we will inherit to our children. So when the overwhelming problem of plastic waste is translated into an engaging story and adorable illustration for young readers such as this, I naturally love it. It tells the issue of plastic waste and its danger that we face today through a simple story suitable and relatable for kids. It is the perfect starting point to discuss this important issue, on the need to be mindful of our plastic use in daily life, on how our action can affect others, and on the importance of taking care of our environment and animal friends. It is also worthy to mention the rhyming wordplay on every page, which of course makes it all the more enjoyable to read aloud ❤
.
It just so happened, my daughter spotted a plastic bag just like Stanley floating in the ocean during our boat ride a few months ago. My daughter exclaimed 'Stanley!' and asked why it didn't have eyes like Stanley in the book 😄 It's sad that the problem is so real though 😕
IG @booksandblocks.id
August 17, 2019
Stanley falls into the sea and floats in amongst a swarm of shimmering jellyfish. At first glance, Stanley could almost be mistaken for just another sea creature, but:
“…his stripes were too straight and his tentacles too few. He just floated in the sea, not sure what to do. You see Stanley was no ordinary jellyfish.”
Stanley is a plastic bag and we all know what happens next—Somebody Swallowed Stanley. Stanley escapes from the first creature only to be swallowed by a series of other creatures. Stanley doesn’t mean to hurt anyone, but he doesn’t belong in the sea. (Who knew you could feel sorry for a plastic bag?) Eventually, Stanley is rescued from the ocean and put to better use where he can no longer be a danger to unwary sea creatures—a happy ending for everyone.
Hannah’s Peck’s illustrations are strikingly beautiful. I particularly love that she’s used a very dark blue, instead of the traditional cyan of picture books about the ocean—in contrast the sea life appears intensely vivid and luminous. The typography swoops and flows like water currents through the book.
The author, environmental expert Sarah Roberts, is well placed to deliver this important message about plastic pollution, but she has also created a poignant narrative with a deft lightness of touch that will charm children as well as educate them.
Somebody Swallowed Stanley is a gorgeously illustrated book with a critical message—highly recommended.
(Review first published in Armadillo Magazine, Summer 2019 Edition)
“…his stripes were too straight and his tentacles too few. He just floated in the sea, not sure what to do. You see Stanley was no ordinary jellyfish.”
Stanley is a plastic bag and we all know what happens next—Somebody Swallowed Stanley. Stanley escapes from the first creature only to be swallowed by a series of other creatures. Stanley doesn’t mean to hurt anyone, but he doesn’t belong in the sea. (Who knew you could feel sorry for a plastic bag?) Eventually, Stanley is rescued from the ocean and put to better use where he can no longer be a danger to unwary sea creatures—a happy ending for everyone.
Hannah’s Peck’s illustrations are strikingly beautiful. I particularly love that she’s used a very dark blue, instead of the traditional cyan of picture books about the ocean—in contrast the sea life appears intensely vivid and luminous. The typography swoops and flows like water currents through the book.
The author, environmental expert Sarah Roberts, is well placed to deliver this important message about plastic pollution, but she has also created a poignant narrative with a deft lightness of touch that will charm children as well as educate them.
Somebody Swallowed Stanley is a gorgeously illustrated book with a critical message—highly recommended.
(Review first published in Armadillo Magazine, Summer 2019 Edition)
July 7, 2020
Somebody swallowed Stanley is a brilliant and clever book that educates children on the dangers of plastic pollution. My daughter, who loves all things ocean was very moved by this book. Naturalist and conservationist Sarah Roberts tells the story of Stanley who is a plastic bag that is dropped into the ocean. Ocean Animals confuse Stanley for jellyfish and find themselves coughing and choking while trying to swallow him. In the end a child finds Stanley and recycles him into a kite. He does this as opposed to binning him which I thought was astute.
This is an engaging story with adorable illustrations that teach children about the dangers of plastic waste. It is important that we have conversations with our kids about environmental issues and how they can help make the world a better place. Highly recommended read!
This is an engaging story with adorable illustrations that teach children about the dangers of plastic waste. It is important that we have conversations with our kids about environmental issues and how they can help make the world a better place. Highly recommended read!
December 29, 2022
Whenever I spot a fellow shopper using reusable bags in a local store, I feel as if I've seen a unicorn. Clearly, the area in which I live needs some basic awareness and education about plastic bags and the alternatives to them.
This cute book raises the concept of plastic bag pollution in the ocean without being scary, overwhelming, or didactic. Stanley is a plastic bag who doesn't mean to cause harm, but he's wound up in the ocean where he doesn't belong. Sea animals keep mistaking him for food and trying to eat him!
While plastic pollution is a big issue that no one individual can tackle, STANLEY gives readers a manageable aspect of the problem that they can choose to do something about in their daily lives. This book will make a nice discussion-starter for young kids, as well as a useful, inoffensive read-aloud for classroom/library themes about the environment or oceans.
This cute book raises the concept of plastic bag pollution in the ocean without being scary, overwhelming, or didactic. Stanley is a plastic bag who doesn't mean to cause harm, but he's wound up in the ocean where he doesn't belong. Sea animals keep mistaking him for food and trying to eat him!
While plastic pollution is a big issue that no one individual can tackle, STANLEY gives readers a manageable aspect of the problem that they can choose to do something about in their daily lives. This book will make a nice discussion-starter for young kids, as well as a useful, inoffensive read-aloud for classroom/library themes about the environment or oceans.
October 13, 2019
Although the illustrations in this book are gorgeous and the message is very relevant, it just seems a little heavy-handed in its delivery. Picture books are aimed at small children, and although it's important to educate them about the environment and they are the future of our planet, I don't think seeing a turtle almost suffocating to death on a plastic bag is the best way to inspire the next generation (in fact, I think if I'd read this as a child it would have terrified the life out of me and I would have had nightmares, but I don't know if I really would have absorbed the moral). It's also very repetitive, which diminishes its impact further.
August 2, 2020
Questo libro riesce a introdurre tematiche ecologiste a bambini anche molto piccoli (secondo me anche un bambino di 2/3 anni riesce a seguirlo senza problemi). Non diventa una predica pedante ma il messaggio é trasportato da una storia interessante con un buon ritmo, che mantiene viva l’attenzione. Trovo anche che espona la realtá come é veramente, dato che gli animali davvero rischiano di soffocare per le buste di plastica e il libro lo dice chiaramente senza temere di impressionare i bambini. L’ho letto a bambini dai 3 ai 7 anni e ha riscontrato molto successo! La formula vincente sta nell’essere una bella storia prima di una bella lezione.
September 12, 2020
Just like the title of the book, the storyline is Stanley continuously being swallowed by animals. With the colourful images and facial expressions that are illustrated throughout the pages, this book expresses in a light yet teachable manner about pollution in the sea. It fits just right for younger readers to understand the environmental effects and the pain caused through our mistakes of using too much and misusing plastic. Comically and beautifully, the underlying issue that needs to be addressed and continuously made aware is shown clearly through this book. This book is for children aged around 5 to 7.
January 31, 2021
I give this zero stars, ok one for the illustrations. I was so excited about this book and saw it had loads of good reviews. However when I read it I was extremely confused and disturbed that everyone else was ok with making Stanley the plastic bag the character you are to sympathies with, not the animals that are choking and suffocating on Stanley. I know if I read this to my students they would be worried about the turtle that’s going to die! Very terrible messaging, this one missed the mark. I feel the writer was more concerned about making it rhyme then teach the lesson about how bad plastic bags are to the environment and animals. Positives, you’ll enjoy the rhyming and illustrations.
August 15, 2019
A picture book with a timely message behind it; the impact of single use plastics on our environment. Stanley is swallowed by lots of different animals and (although it is a bit repetitive) is fun to read but has a serious note at the end when one of the animals almost chokes. However, a child finds the animal and makes Stanley into a kite thus showing that single use plastics can be turned into fun things. In a classroom, this book would be great to show the impact of our choices on the natural world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2020
I am SO glad I bought this! 11/10!
Such a clever concept and hilarious at the same time! Cannot wait to read to KS1 classes - have already read it to most of the close adults in my life and they all think it's brilliant!
Wonderful rhyming and rhythm!
So topical as well - plastics in the ocean, overuse of carrier bags, marine life, recycling, promoting custodianship of our environment etc etc I could go on...
Such a clever concept and hilarious at the same time! Cannot wait to read to KS1 classes - have already read it to most of the close adults in my life and they all think it's brilliant!
Wonderful rhyming and rhythm!
So topical as well - plastics in the ocean, overuse of carrier bags, marine life, recycling, promoting custodianship of our environment etc etc I could go on...
February 7, 2022
A realistic look at what happens when a plastic bag is tossed in the ocean. Readers meet Stanley who doesn't fit in with the other jellyfish. He is eaten by several sea creatures but always coughed up until a turtle chokes and cannot remove the bag. A young boy comes and rescues the turtle. He does repurpose Stanley as well.
An environmental tale for young and not so young readers to think about.
An environmental tale for young and not so young readers to think about.
January 28, 2020
Good and useful to read with younger children when teaching Science or the topic of materials and using plastic and the effects it has especially on animals under the sea.- powerful message
about plastic pollution
lovely storyline and lovely illustrations throughout that children can engage with and understand
about plastic pollution
lovely storyline and lovely illustrations throughout that children can engage with and understand
February 5, 2020
Stanley is a plastic bag floating around in the sea; he gets into all sorts of trouble with many sea creatures and birds. Eventually Stanley is made into a kite after a boy saves a turtle from choking on Stanley. A warning against the rubbish that ends up in the sea with the anthropomorphised animals and bag make the issue more ‘real’ and understandable for pupils
July 26, 2020
An excellent concept in introducing young audiences to pollution and its environmental impact. A discarded plastic shopping bag is personified and causes all sorts of drama in the ocean before - thankfully - being returned to land and upcycled into a kite. It's well written, lots of fun and the illustrations are perfect.
September 6, 2020
A really good book to start a conversation with young children about pollution and why recycling and putting things into a bin is important. I recently read this to a 5-year-old and was amazed by how helpful a book could be in aiding a child in understanding climate change and the negative impacts of pollution.
February 20, 2020
My kids like this book a lot (2 & 5 years)! Interesting read with a good message + great illustrations. Extra kudos for being sourced from FSC-certified forests and other controlled sources too.
November 10, 2020
A book teaching children about the impact of water pollution.
May 19, 2021
Brilliant, lyrical, and fun.
April 27, 2022
A thought provoking book about the problems of plastic waste entering the sea. Nice personification and has great links to coastal and climate topics.
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December 13, 2022This book was a creative way to bring awareness to the pollution in the ocean and how it harms marine life.
May 28, 2024
一個日常生活的小行為， 也可能對地球生態造成極大負擔。史丹利是一個普通的購物膠袋，當他被胡亂棄置海洋後，險變成為海洋生物的殺手！ 讓我們齊齊動腦筋設計一下， 給史丹利第二生命吧！
July 27, 2020
Um livro maravilhoso para ler em família e abordar o tema da poluição do mar por plásticos. Uma mensagem importante a passar aos mais novos e que, feita com um livro tão bonito quanto este, ajuda a que a mensagem seja mais compreendida pelas crianças. Recomendo e já entrou para a lista dos nossos preferidos ❤️
June 4, 2020
This is a brilliant book for teaching KS1 children about the problems of plastic pollution in a very accessible way. My Yr ½ class loved using the beautiful illustrations to guess what Stanley was, which animal would eat Stanley next etc. We used this story to look at the use of adverbs and descriptive techniques and their effect on the reader, as well as plastic pollution in the oceans. Children really enjoyed reading this story. Lots of cross curricular learning resulted from reading this in science, music and topic.
September 10, 2020
Such a good picture book that I believe can be used across KS1 and KS2, maybe even a whole school project. Brings in learning about sustainable development in a creative and effective way. Makes many cross curricula links to Science, English, art and Geography.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews