Bill and Stanley

A very successful story about a little boy whose mother is too busy to play with him but who finds a companion in an untidy dog called Stanley. Stanley is the ideal friend; occasionally annoying, (he eats the sweets that are supposed to be for a game of Hunt the Sweet) but joining in every idea (for playing pirates or rolling about in the grass), with a truly child-like enthusiasm. Mum's comment at the end of the day, however, reveals the hidden depth of this simple tale. 'You can play by yourself,; she says. Does she know about Stanley? Is he Bill's dog or just a passing stray? Does he exist at all?

These questions opened up a long discussion on reality among my children, ending with Toya's comment, 'Well, I think he's true but he just isn't there.'

Easily read by quite early readers, beautifully produced on smooth paper with bold, black type and attractive, clear illustrations, this is a real book in every sense of the words.