Dear Friend or Relative,

You have been selected to participate in a book extension activity in connection with Flat Stanley a whimsical story of a little boy who is flattened by a bulletin board. Although he and his parents are initially dismayed by his condition, it turns out that being flat has some advantages. Stanley discovers that he can enter locked rooms by slipping under doors. His parents save money on air fare to California by merely popping him into an envelope and mailing him.

Your role in this activity is to take the flat figure along with you on your daily adventures - to work, to the market, to a restaurant, to a ball game, to a concert, etc. Introduce your flat friend to your friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Your new friend can travel in your pocket, backpack, purse, briefcase, or be pinned to your apron strings, wherever it is most convenient.

You don't have to book a trip to the Far East. Your flat friend will enjoy your everyday life, and we, will appreciate hearing about it! The hitch is - you need to document, in some way, the adventures with your flat friend. Your story can be written in the form of a letter, diary, poem or simply narrative. References to your particular geographical location (rivers, cities, lakes, parks, buildings) will be used to enhance our mapping unit.

Have fun with your flat friend. Be creative, be adventurous, and exaggerate as much as you'd like. Thanks so much for sharing this writing adventure. We look forward to Stanley's return.

Sincerely,

Mrs Poulin's Third Grade

P.S. Photos would be fun if you're so inclined.