Flat Stanley finally hits pay dirt

U.S. News- Washington Whispers ^ | 02/10/03 | Paul Bedard

[Pokey78]

Do you know the story of Flat Stanley, the kiddie book about a boy who's flattened by a bulletin board, then makes the best of a bad situation by mailing himself to a friend? It's huge in grade schools, where kids mail paper dolls of Flat Stanley to big shots who have their picture taken with him and then mail it all back. Well, Flat Stanley has finally made it to the top: in President Bush's lap. The exclusive story: Marcy Ring, a teacher at Chicago's Henry Suder School, sent Flat Stanley to her White House pal Susan Ralston, Karl Rove's aide. Rove took it from there, taking the black Flat Stanley everywhere, even the Oval Office. "He had better access," says Ralston, "than the senior staff." But Rove did more. He spent hours at home preparing a 13-page, 25-photo package autographed by the prez. There's Flat Stanley with chief of staff Andy Card reading a top-secret report, and with national security adviser Condi Rice, who's lecturing Flat Stanley to obey his parents. What drove Rove? "He loves kids," we're told.

See Flat Stanley's visit to the White House

Hit the above link for all of the pics. #1 is below.

[just mimi]

Thanks -- brought back memories and brought a smile to my face.

[summer]

Governor Jeb Bush loved meeting "Stanley" while on Christmas vacation in Boca Grande, FL.

Miss McCurdy and Mr. Bennis's Fourth grade class
Fawn Elementary School
Natrona Heights, Pa.

[summer]

See my post above. :)

[summer]

See my post #62. :)

[summer]

See my post #62. :)

[summer]

See my post #62. :)

[metesky]

Bless George W. Bush! A man of humor and dignity, a man who can be an adult President to adult citizens in times of strife and still take time "for the children".

[MeekOneGOP]

LOL ! I love it...

[Rebelbase]

re:#2: Wow, I have ping list envy.

[Wphile]

Thanks for the ping. What a hoot!

[OldFriend]

If there's a Flat Stanley ping list count me in!!!

[A CA Guy]

That is just the cutest stuff.

I love it and it is the kind of basic thing people can do to reach kids that is effective and positive.

Thanks for the picture. This started my Sunday reading off with a big smile Summer.

Have a great day.

[RobFromGa]

Thanks, my son's Flat Stanley (he's first grader) just sent us a post card from Dublin yesterday. Way to go, President Bush!

[SuziQ]

I just saw all the pictures, and it's just the most adorable thing. What a great group there at the White House - not too stuffy to laugh a little...

Not only that, but Karl Rove spent the time to put this together for that teacher's class. Now THAT is a very nice thing to do!

[Teacup]

Oh my, how funny. This is really cute. Thanks for posting this. I need a good laugh.

[bootless]

I was happy to see that ... I have had my disagreements (from afar, of course) with Rove, but this expenditure of time and energy by him was heartening.