Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Seattle, WA

Ever heard of Flat Stanley? I hadn't until recently, but now I'm hooked.

Flat Stanley is the main character in a series of books authored by Jeff Brown. The first was published in 1964, and the books tell the story of Stanley's adventures after becoming "flat". Just how he becomes flat is a story unto itself. Stanley and his younger brother, Arthur, receive a HUGE bulletin board from their father for their room to hold pictures and other trinkets. It is hung over Stanley's bed (obviously Stanley's dad wasn't thinking about safety!), where, not surprisingly, it falls on Stanley while he is sleeping. The impact flattens Stanley.Get it? FLAT.

All hope is not lost, however, as Stanley makes the best of his situation. He can enter locked rooms by slipping under the door, and Arthur flies him as a kite. He helps people, too, by catching thieves at an art museum by posing as a painting. The "best" benefit of his circumstances is the adventures he gets into because he is able to visit his friends by being mailed in an envelope.

You may have also heard of the Flat Stanley Project. It was started by elementary school teacher, Dale Hubert, as a way for schoolchildren to learn about the art of letter-writing. As part of this project, Flat Stanley has been photographed with some very famous people -  from Bill Gates to the Blue Man Group!

And now you can see Flat Stanley up close and personal. He's coming this weekend (Friday and Saturday) to the Moore Theatre with his show, The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley . Tickets are still available, and you will be treated to Stanley being stamped and mailed from Washington, DC to Europe and BEYOND.