Stanley's Secret

Starred review from October 31, 2022
“Stanley was a quiet boy. When he attended birthday parties, he hid in the corner and read. When he gave a book report, he spoke softly.” Quiet or not, Stanley dreams of tap-dancing on a big stage. But he doesn’t tell anyone except his pet mice, Squeaker and Nibbles, and he dances only after hours in his school’s empty rooms, while helping the janitor. Prose by Sullivan (Kitten and the Night Watchman) quickly establishes Stanley’s private way (“At lunch, Stanley quietly ate his sandwich with mayonnaise, even though he’d said, ‘no toppings, please’ ”), while juxtaposing artwork by Manbeck (You Are Here) sizzles with energetically charged lines and chalky, saturated shades, portraying Stanley in vibrant orange hues. In a satisfying twist, a visit to the principal’s office results in support, and a suggestion to sign up for the talent show: “Talent should be shared,” the principal says. The text pays careful attention to the way Stanley addresses his nervousness (“With the talent show quickly approaching, Stanley mustered the courage to dance for a classmate”) as he moves into his dream with grace. Ages 4–8.

November 15, 2022
Doing what you love can bring good things. Intensely shy and quiet, Stanley, a round-faced Black child, buries himself in a book at parties, speaks softly, and sits alone while his classmates play at recess. Stanley desires nothing more than to tap-dance on stage for an audience, but he tells only his two pet mice, Squeaker and Nibbles. When he helps the janitor clean the building after school, he changes into his tap shoes and dances around with the broom when he thinks no one is watching. Principal Reynolds, a Black woman, summons him to her office and tells him she has seen him dancing and is shocked. Stunned that he has been spotted, Stanley apologizes. "Sorry?" she says. "You're terrific!" She insists that he enter the upcoming school talent show. Over the next two weeks, he dances for his mice, the birds outside, and feral cats, attempting to conquer his shyness. He also plucks up the nerve to dance on the playground for Tom, a new, light-skinned friend, who encourages him heartily. Manbeck's blues, greens, and oranges give the illustrations a retro appearance, and the scribbly textures convey a sense of whimsy throughout. Blues that represent Stanley's quiet, shy nature turn to bright yellows as he overcomes his fear, speaks more boldly, and embraces his love of dance. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A vibrant story that encourages readers to follow their passions--and share them with the world. (Picture book. 4-7)

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November 1, 2022
Preschool-Grade 3 A quiet kid, Stanley shies away from the action at birthday parties, delivers oral book reports in a soft voice, and doesn't complain when his requests are ignored. But he has a secret longing (known only to Squeaker and Nibbles, his pet mice) to become a tap dancer. One day, when he's helping the janitor sweep the halls after school, he puts on his tap shoes and dances while he finishes the task. The principal has a secret too: she has seen Stanley dancing in the halls and recruits him for the talent show, saying, "Talent should be shared." After practicing in front of his mice and a classmate, he courageously takes the stage and triumphs. Near the end of the concise text, Sullivan suggests that Stanley's success comes because he has been practicing tap dancing repeatedly for the love of it. Manbeck's vivid illustrations use circles of often-brilliant color to spotlight Stanley within certain scenes. In the end, a more confident Stanley dances for his favorite audience: Squeaker and Nibbles. A satisfying picture book.

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