Flat Stanley's White House Visit
An early riser, Flat Stanley started his day at the White House by participating in a 7:15 a.m. meeting with Senior Advisor Karl Rove, left, and Communications Director Dan Bartlett, right. After receiving top secret clearance, Flat Stanley was shown a report by White House Chief of Staff Andy Card. Flat Stanley joined the Senior Staff meeting in the Roosevelt Room, where he "substituted" for National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. Because he substituted for National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice at the Senior Staff meeting, Flat Stanley decided to visit her office to give her an update. Instead she reminded Stanley to tell all children to study and listen to their parents. All of these meetings can make a flat tummy hungry. Flat Stanley stopped briefly at the White House Mess, where he enjoyed a healthy breakfast of oatmeal and juice.
Flat Stanley next joined a meeting with Senior Advisor Karl Rove and his directors. He received a briefing on the schools in his hometown of Chicago. Flat Stanley then visited the office of Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Bolten, who asked Stanley about an important legislative issue. Flat Stanley next visited the Press Briefing Room, where he helped White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer with the daily briefing. Ari appreciated Stanley's media savvy. "Where's the Vice President?" Flat Stanley wondered as he made a stop at the Vice President's Office, which is decorated with historical maps. Stanley learned the Vice President was in a meeting with his staff. A visit to the White House would not be complete without a stop in the Oval Office. Flat Stanley joined Senior Advisor Karl Rove and others in the Oval Office.
President George W. Bush welcomed Flat Stanley to the Oval Office and asked him to say "hi" for him to all the school children when he returns to Chicago. The President told Stanley he wants young Americans to learn to read and pursue an education so they can fulfill their dreams. After Flat Stanley's visit with the President, members of the White House press corps wanted to interview him. Ron Fournier, an Associated Press reporter, asked Stanley some tough questions. Flat Stanley stopped by the Roosevelt Room one more time. He admired President Theodore Roosevelt's Nobel Peace Prize, which Roosevelt won for helping to end the Russo-Japanese War. When Flat Stanley's visit to the White House was over, Jackie Lawson, a White House staffer, packed him in an envelope and returned him to Chicago. What an adventure Flat Stanley had at the White House!
For years children have colored, cut out and mailed Flat Stanley to places around the world. Flat Stanley was created by Jeff Brown, who has served on the editorial staffs of several magazine publications. The White House has received thousands of Flat Stanley letters over the years, and this photo essay features one of Flat Stanley's visit to the White House.