Stanley the Builder by William Bee - A new early literacy series (Review & Givaway)

Hardcover - $14.95
ISBN:  978156145801
Pages: 32, 8 x 8
Age: 3-7

 About the book:  Stanley is building a house. Will he make it just right?

When Myrtle buys a plot of land, she asks Stanley to build her a new house. He works step by step - from clearing the site with a bulldozer, to pouring the foundation, to painting the finished house in Myrtle's favorite colors. Luckily, Charlie helps out too. Building houses is hard work, but all three friends are happy with a job well done.

My thoughts:  Having raised two boys and three girls, we had our share of trucks, bull dozers, hammers, saws, and other stuff that makes for the building of boys.  But mind you, our three girls got their turn at sharing the tools of the trade that Stanley the Builder so enjoyed as he built a house for Myrtle.

I really miss seeing those yellow Tonka (and other brands) dump trucks, bull dozers, and other putter-putt-putt devices. Once they got to the "dirty" stage, they were relegated to yard building only. But until such time as they became encrusted in the red clay that is Piedmont North Carolina, they moved legos, Lincoln Logs, and other bits and pieces around the floor of the house.

Stanley first of all is engaged by Myrtle to build the house so the first thing to do is move  the dirt to level the area. Then comes the foundation.

I like that William Bee has in very simple story form and clear, enjoyable art laid the ground for children to understand the process involved in construction. Mom and Dad can take the child around to see their own home and talk about how the builder created the home in which the child lives.

Again, the illustrations aptly
portray what is used in building
Myrtle's House.

Between moving the dirt, laying the foundation, and Myrtle's house being finished there are pages that tell of building and finishing the home. Again, an opportunity for educating a young child in what it takes to get the roof over their head so they can have a comfortable home.

Stanley goes home after a day's hard work and relaxes at dinner before he goes to bed. 

This is sure to be good series for the young child because the illustrations are clear, pleasant, and the text is direct and simple. The book is fun, cute, enjoyable, and delightfully educational.

GIVEAWAY:  Peachtree Publisher has graciously agreed to provide one of Chat With Vera's readers their own copy of Stanley the Builder. Simply use the Rafflecopter entry form below. Begins August September 3 & ENDS September 25 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:  William Bee is an artist and commercial designer who has worked for renowned fashion houses, including Issay Miyake and Paul Smith. As well as writing children's books, he races a vintage sports car, is an international skier, and when at home tends his lawns and meadow. He lives in England.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy in exchange for this review but no paid compensation. Opinions expressed are solely my own and I was not required to give a positive review.