When selecting books for the toddlers in my care, I try to find books with easy-to-follow story lines, attractive and inviting illustrations, and concepts with which the kids can relate or that I know will interest them. A new set of books by William Bee have made it into our collection, and the adorable guinea pig Stanley has quickly become a new favorite. In Stanley the Builder and Stanley’s Garage, I’ve found engaging stories that not only entertain but also introduce real-world concepts in an easy to understand manner.
Each book opens with its own two-page spread of illustrations showing a variety of tools and materials that will be used in these “handy” stories, for Stanley is a guinea pig who gets work done. Before we even began the stories, my toddler friends were pointing out tools that they recognized from the work they’ve seen their own parents do around their homes, and after we finished the books, it was fun to go back to these opening pages and point out how some of the tools were used.
In Stanley the Builder, Stanley takes on a job to build a house for Myrtle the mouse, and he pulls out several big construction vehicles for the job. I have yet to meet a toddler of either gender that wasn’t interested in large vehicles that they’ve seen around their neighborhood, especially construction vehicles! As Stanley progresses through each step, all the way from clearing the site, to laying the bricks and placing in the roof, young readers can see the sequence and learn the process in a simplified manner.
With Stanley’s Garage, the focus turns to caring for vehicles that come into his shop with various problems. Most toddlers have likely experienced a stop at a gas station with their parents, so conversations during the story can include referencing those personal experiences. Just as when he’s building a house, Stanley works hard at his garage, being helpful to his customers and solving their automobile problems. Both stories end in the same way with Stanley returning to his own home at the end of the day, ready for dinner, bath, and (a reasonable 9:00 pm!) bedtime.
Stanley seems to be able to wear a lot of hats, as he will soon appear in more books including Stanley’s Diner and Stanley the Farmer. With an emphasis on community helpers and working hard, these books introduce simple social studies-themed concepts in a fun and engaging way. Did I also mention the cute factor with Stanley? Just look at that little guy up there! I have to also say how pleased I was with the description I received from the publisher that emphasized the appeal these books held for both boys and girls. Too often, I feel that topics are gender segregated, with construction jobs and the like being sorted as “boy” concepts. These are real-world ideas that can be universally interesting and appealing to young children, if we choose to introduce them to both boys and girls!
Enter to Win
We have a copy of each of these fun toddler books up for today’s giveaway. Please follow the directions in the widget below to enter. Contest open to U.S. residents only.
Would be great for my daughter
I love how cute they are and that they are good for boys as well as girls.
I would love to win these books for my son!
Thank You for the chance
These look great! I’d love them for our children.
These books look great! My friend is having her second child, another boy, so they have the gear and clothes they need, but this would make an awesome and educational gift!
My daughter would enjoy these. It would be fund to see how she pronounces “Stanley” lol.
I would love for my grandkids
Who doesn’t love a handy guinea pig? My daughter would enjoy these!
The little boy that I babysit would love these! Thanks for the chance.
My 1 year old loves books…especially the Bible
these books are something my nephew would really enjoy! these are so cute. thanks for sharing them!
I’d love this for my son!
These looks like cute books thanks for the chance to win.
I would love to have this for my 5 and 2 year old. God Bless
i entered to win the true story of the holacoust book giveaway thanks
my family loves to read books even my youngest and my grandson loves to be read to thanks for this chance
These look like delightful books!
I love board books
my son loves books
My little one would love these – thanks for the great giveaway!
Thanks for the helpful review.
My grandson would love this, thanks.
I would love to win these for my great nephew. He turns one in November. 🙂
Omg sooo cute! We looove board books at our house 🙂
My grandsons would LOVE these.
These look really cute!
these would be great for my neice! she has always been fascinated with books, but all the ones she has are the soft ones. i think she is old enough now to move onto board books.
These would be great for my niece
These are so cute!
These look so cute! Thanks for the chance to win! 🙂
My 3 year old would love this!
These books are just so cute. Our little one would just love it. Thanks for having the giveaway.
My niece Stella will love this book
I would like to read this book to my son Luigi!
My son is obsessed with builders and their equipment — he would love these books!
What a perfect little book for a snuggle up and read
my grandsons would love these books
Entered the scavengers
Would love these for my nephew
My son would love these!
My tractor crazed two year old would love these books.
These are fun toddler books!
These books sounds great for learning about various jobs in the community!
I’d love these for my friend’s son…or my own, when he’s a little older
Cute books
My niece would like these adorable books. Thanks.
My youngest son would LOVE these books thank you so much for sharing them!
We have at home 2 nice guinea pigs and it would be really great to win these books with guinea pigs in them!
would love those books for my daughters!
My son would love these books!!
These looks fun and engaging. 🙂
these would be wonderful for my grandsons.
entered the Burnt Toast Makes You Sing Good giveaway
too cute! these would be an adorable gift for my friend’s twins.
I know my niece and nephew would love these books.