Once upon a time, in a small town called Willowville, lived a young boy named Stanley. Stanley was an ordinary boy with an extraordinary imagination. He had always dreamed of going on exciting adventures and discovering hidden treasures. One sunny day, while exploring the attic of his old house, Stanley stumbled upon an ancient-looking lamp. Excited by the discovery, he decided to give it a rub, just like in the fairy tales. To his astonishment, a cloud of smoke appeared, and a magical genie emerged from the lamp.
Rob Biddulph is a bestselling and award-winning children’s book author and illustrator. He won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize for Blown Away and was nominated for the Kate Greenaway medal for GRRRRR! His other books include Odd Dog Out (Aug 2016) and Sunk! (March 2017).
This is a reasonable book again given many new decent, digital illustrations for 2017 s new editions but previously we didn t have to settle for reasonable , we had really good. His level-headed parents demand he and his brother finish off their homework before making any wishes, but that happens, the family gains a pet, and then goes out for the day in the company of the genie, forever tweaking reality at their wishes command.
To his astonishment, a cloud of smoke appeared, and a magical genie emerged from the lamp. The genie introduced himself as Genaro and explained that he had been trapped inside the lamp for centuries, waiting for someone like Stanley to set him free. Genaro had the power to grant three wishes to whoever set him free, and as a token of gratitude, he wanted to grant Stanley three wishes.
Stanley and the Magic Lamp (Flat Stanley) by Jeff Brown and Rob Biddulph
It was far too recently that I picked up Flat Stanley and met with a character now fifty years old for the first time, and found out how he got to be flat and what happened as a result. Bizarrely, however, despite the success of that first book it was twenty full years before the author picked up the pen to give Stanley this sequel. Or perhaps it's not such a surprise – without giving too much away, the character had met with a certain change at the end of book one, and therefore wasn't exactly ready for more of the same. Well, over the decades there have been six official books by Jeff Brown, and this was the first instance where I could find out for myself if I was ready for more of the same…
Here, then, Stanley is – to point it mildly – not flat. He's just an ordinary boy, and demands extraordinary adventures to make him worth reading. This book revolves around him uncovering a genie in a lamp he'd found on a beach one day and that he was saving to be a present for his mother, Mrs Lambchop. His level-headed parents demand he and his brother finish off their homework before making any wishes, but that happens, the family gains a pet, and then goes out for the day in the company of the genie, forever tweaking reality at their wishes' command. But everything they ask for seems to have an unexpected side.
The unexpected here includes an extended scene riffing on the personality of then-prominent sportsman John McEnroe, which does show that where the gentle moralistic side to book one hadn't aged, this has – just for different reasons. The expected perhaps includes a return to the crime-busting adventures of the first book, as another gang of thieves has to be interrupted. And again we're back to square one for the conclusion.
As for my conclusion, it is that these short stories are too average to have ever stood out were it not for the renown of the title character, who – to repeat – is also now an average kid and not what he was known for. Take the flatness away from the lad and what you get is, paradoxically, flat. This is a reasonable book – again given many new decent, digital illustrations for 2017's new editions – but previously we didn't have to settle for 'reasonable', we had really good. Obviously Mr Brown had little idea at the time of writing his debut that he would regret making his character lose what made him special, but he did, and what we're left with is nothing special either. It's just reasonably good.
I must thank the publishers for my review copy.
Beards From Outer Space by Gareth P Jones is a read for the same age range we've enjoyed recently.
You can read more book reviews or buy Stanley and the Magic Lamp (Flat Stanley) by Jeff Brown and Rob Biddulph at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Stanley and the Magic Lamp (Flat Stanley) by Jeff Brown and Rob Biddulph at Amazon.com.
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I loved the book. It was funny and cool. I liked the book because it had magic in it. I love to read magic books. My favorite part is about the liophant. I think you will like this book too.
Without a moment's hesitation, Stanley made his first wish - to be transported to a faraway land filled with adventure and mystery. In an instant, Stanley found himself standing in the middle of a dense jungle. Everywhere he looked, there were lush green trees, exotic animals, and the sweet sound of chirping birds. With each step, Stanley felt a surge of excitement, knowing that he was finally living his dream. He came across a hidden treasure chest and couldn't believe his luck. It was filled with gold coins and precious gems. Overwhelmed by the sight, Stanley made his second wish - to have the power to bring joy and happiness to others. Suddenly, he found himself surrounded by children from all over the world. They sang, danced, and laughed together, creating a joyful atmosphere. Stanley realized that true happiness is not found in material possessions, but in the smiles and laughter of others. As his adventure continued, Stanley's final wish was for the magic lamp to be returned to Genaro, allowing the genie to be free forever. Genaro was extremely grateful for Stanley's selfless wish and promised to always watch over him, even without the lamp. Stanley returned home, forever changed by his incredible adventure. He learned the value of selflessness, the joy of bringing happiness to others, and the power of following his dreams. From that day forward, Stanley's boring old town of Willowville became an exciting place filled with endless possibilities, all because of the magic lamp and his extraordinary imagination..
Reviews for "The Mesmerizing World of Stanley and the Magic Lamp"
1. Jessica - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Stanley and the Magic Lamp" as I had heard great things about it. However, I found the storyline to be extremely predictable and lacking in originality. The characters were one-dimensional and had little depth which made it hard for me to connect with them. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Michael - 3 stars - "Stanley and the Magic Lamp" had its moments, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The writing style was quite elementary, making it feel more suitable for a younger audience. The pacing was off and the plot felt rushed, leaving important details and character development neglected. While I appreciate the author's attempt at creating an adventurous tale, it lacked the depth and complexity that I enjoy in a good fantasy novel.
3. Sarah - 2.5 stars - This book was a letdown for me. The concept of "Stanley and the Magic Lamp" seemed promising, but ultimately, it failed to deliver. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, making it difficult for me to stay engrossed in the story. Additionally, the story seemed to repeat tropes and clichés from other fantasy novels, lacking originality. Overall, I found myself struggling to finish this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. David - 1 star - I cannot express how disappointed I am with "Stanley and the Magic Lamp". The plot was confusing and poorly executed, leaving me with more questions than answers. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard to care about their journey. The writing style was also subpar, with grammatical errors and inconsistencies throughout. I regret wasting my time on this book and would strongly discourage others from doing the same.
5. Emily - 2 stars - "Stanley and the Magic Lamp" had potential, but unfortunately, it fell flat. The story was predictable from start to finish, with no surprising twists or turns. The writing style was average, lacking creativity and originality. The characters felt underdeveloped, making it hard for me to invest in their journey. I had high hopes for this book, but it ultimately left me disappointed and wanting more.