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Stanley (2001 TV series) facts for kids

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Stanley
Stanley 2001 Title Card.jpg
Title card
Genre Children's television series
Educational
Created by Jim Jinkins
David Campbell
Developed by Jim Jinkins
David Campbell
Voices of Charles Shaughnessy
Jessica D. Stone
David Landsberg
Ari Meyers
Rene Mujica
Shawn Pyfrom
Hynden Walch
Philece Sampler
Khylan Jones
Candi Milo
Wallace Shawn
Theme music composer Peter Lurye
Opening theme "My Man Stanley" by Baha Men
Ending theme "My Man Stanley" (Instrumental) by Baha Men
Composer(s) Stuart Kollmorgen
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 3
No. of episodes 65
Production
Running time 30 minutes
Production company(s) Cartoon Pizza
Distributor Buena Vista Television
Release
Original network Playhouse Disney
Original release September 15, 2001 (2001-09-15) – November 26, 2004 (2004-11-26)

Stanley is a fun American animated TV show that aired on Playhouse Disney. It's based on a series of children's books by Andrew Griffin, also known as "Griff." The show was made by Cartoon Pizza and developed for TV by Jim Jinkins, who also created shows like Doug and PB&J Otter, and David Campbell.

Stanley helps young kids learn about many things they might face. These include understanding changes, growing up, following rules, and getting along with others. In each episode, Stanley learns about an animal that helps explain the problem he is trying to solve.

The Junkanoo and reggae fusion music group Baha Men, famous for their song "Who Let the Dogs Out?", sang the catchy theme song for the series, called "My Man Stanley."

Meet Stanley and His Animal Friends

Each episode of Stanley shows the main character, Stanley (voiced by Jessica D. Stone), trying to understand something new. He often talks about it with his pet goldfish, Dennis (Charles Shaughnessy). Then, Stanley looks for answers in his computer or in a special book called The Great Big Book of Everything. This book is like a super complete zoology guide for kids!

By watching how an animal deals with a similar situation, Stanley learns how to handle his own problems. It's a cool way to learn about animals and life at the same time!

Talking Animals and a Magical Book

In the show, Stanley and his friends can talk to his pet cat, Elsie (Hynden Walch), his dog, Harry (Rene Mujica), and of course, Dennis. Sometimes, other animals seem to react to what's said, but they don't actually talk back. Stanley and his friends try to keep this secret from adults, except for Stanley's grandmother.

The Great Big Book of Everything seems to have magic powers. Animals can come out of its pages, or the children can even go inside the book! Sometimes, they even turn into animals themselves. This isn't just pretend, because adults occasionally notice strange noises, and Stanley works hard to hide the animals. In one episode, Stanley's older brother sees a whale on the roof, but it disappears back into the book, and he thinks he imagined it.

In a special Halloween episode, Stanley's grandmother appears. It's hinted that she might be a witch! She shows that she can also use the book and was actually the one who gave it to Stanley. She even taught Harry and Elsie the book's theme song!

Whenever someone mentions "The Great Big Book of Everything," or even has the book nearby, Elsie and Harry will often wake up and start singing its theme song. This usually annoys Dennis, who often says, "Oh, not again!" after the first part of the song.

Main Characters of Stanley

  • Stanley Griff (Jessica D. Stone) - Stanley is a young boy with a big imagination. He has three pets: Dennis the goldfish, Harry the dog, and Elsie the cat. Stanley also has an older brother named Lionel, who loves playing his electric guitar. His dad stays home and draws cartoons, and his mom is a dentist.
  • Dennis the Goldfish (Charles Shaughnessy) - Dennis is Stanley's best friend. He's a smart goldfish who helps Stanley learn about animals to solve his daily problems. Dennis also points out when Stanley's ideas are a bit silly. He even talks to the audience sometimes, asking questions or encouraging them to have fun!
  • Lionel Griff (Shawn Pyfrom) - Lionel is Stanley's older brother. He loves rock and roll music and often wears headphones. Even though he's a teenager, he cares a lot about Stanley. He gives Stanley advice, helps with homework, and looks out for him.
  • Mark Griff (David Landsberg) - Mark is Stanley and Lionel's dad. He works from home as a cartoonist. He wears glasses, has short dark hair, and a beard.
  • Joyce Griff (Ari Meyers) - Joyce is Stanley and Lionel's kind and caring mom. She works as a dentist. She loves her family very much, but she is afraid of snakes (this fear is called ophidiophobia).
  • Lester Goldberg (Philece Sampler) - Lester is one of Stanley's friends. His parents are Mr. Goldberg (Wallace Shawn) and Mrs. Goldberg (Didi Conn). Lester is Jewish and celebrates Hanukkah instead of Christmas, getting a present for each of the eight nights. He also has a little sister named Samantha.
  • Marci & Mimi (Khaylan Jones) - Marci and Mimi are African-American identical twin sisters and good friends with Stanley. They both have black hair, but Mimi's is long with a purple bow, and Marci's is in a ponytail. They celebrate Kwanzaa.
  • Jane (TBA) - Jane is a Chinese-American girl in Stanley's class. She has pigtails and appears in several episodes.
  • Ben (Aria Noelle) - Ben is a boy who wears a hat. He appears in "Me and My Pal Fish!" and other episodes.
  • Teresa Kirby (TBA) - Teresa is a girl Stanley's age who appears in "Shell Game." She is shy at first, but she and Stanley become good friends. She has a pet turtle.

Voice Cast

  • Jessica D. Stone - Stanley Griff
  • Charles Shaughnessy - Dennis the Goldfish
  • David Landsberg - Mark Griff
  • Ari Meyers - Joyce Griff
  • Rene Mujica - Harry the Dog
  • Shawn Pyfrom - Lionel Griff
  • Hynden Walch - Elsie the Cat
  • Philece Sampler - Lester Goldberg
  • Khylan Jones - Mimi & Marci
  • Candi Milo - Ms. Diaz
  • Wallace Shawn - Mr. Goldberg
  • Didi Conn - Mrs. Goldberg
  • Megan Taylor Harvey - Samantha
  • Lucy Hagan - Max

Episodes and Animal Adventures

Stanley aired for three seasons, with a total of 65 episodes. Each episode features Stanley learning about different animals and how their behaviors relate to his own life. Here are some examples of the animal topics covered:

Season 1 (2001) Highlights

  • "Up the Apple Tree / Kangaroo Clean-Up"
    • Stanley needs help getting an apple for his mom's birthday. He learns about Giraffes!
    • Stanley makes a huge mess and needs to clean up. He learns about Kangaroos and how they can help him think of a solution.
  • "Daddy Pride / Show-and-Tell Shark"
    • Stanley wants a lion for a dad. He learns that Lions are serious about playing.
    • Stanley wants to bring a shark to show-and-tell. He discovers that Great white sharks are not the best pets for school.
  • "Bearly Awake / The Eagle Has Landed"
    • Stanley is tired and learns why sleep is important from Grizzly bears.
    • Stanley builds a kite and learns about Bald eagles.
  • "Watch Out for Lionels / Growing Pains"
    • Stanley is annoyed by his brother Lionel. He learns about Armadillos and how they defend themselves.
    • Stanley's bed is too small. He learns about Crabs and how they grow out of their shells.
  • "Frog Legs / Whoo's Afraid of the Dark?"
    • Stanley is scared of the big pool. He learns how Frogs live both on land and in water.
    • Stanley hears scary noises at night. He learns how Owls see in the dark.
  • "Tiger Hunt / Monkey Bar Business"
    • Stanley wants to find Elsie dressed as a tiger. He learns about Tigers and how cats hide.
    • Stanley struggles with monkey bars. He learns about Chimpanzees and how they swing.
  • "Camel Commotion / There's Snow Place Like Home"
    • Stanley gets thirsty on a hot day. He learns how Camels survive in the desert.
    • Stanley gets cold playing in the snow. He learns about Polar bears.
  • "A Whale of a Song / Sloth for a Day"
    • Stanley has stage fright for a play. He gets inspiration from Humpback whales.
    • Stanley procrastinates on chores. He learns about the slow lifestyle of a Sloth.
  • "Busy Busy Octopus / Honest Ostrich"
    • Stanley tries to do too many things at once. He learns how Octopuses use their eight arms.
    • Stanley loses a soccer ball and is afraid to tell the truth. He learns surprising facts about Ostriches.
  • "Dolphin Talk / Whole Lotta Snakin' Going On"
    • Stanley needs to communicate secretly. He learns how Bottlenose dolphins use sounds and sign language.
    • Stanley doesn't want to take off his old pajamas. He learns how Reticulated pythons shed their skin as they grow.
  • "Platypus Problems / Rabbit Habit"
    • Stanley has a strange animal costume. He learns about the unique Platypus.
    • Marci and Mimi want a pet. They learn about Rabbits.
  • "Savanna-Speeders! / Tyrannosaurus Wrecks"
    • Stanley wants to be fast. He learns about Cheetahs, the fastest land animals.
    • Stanley wishes he was a T-Rex. He learns that it's better to be loved than feared, like a Tyrannosaurus.
  • "Hippo Helpers / Where's Stanley?"
    • Stanley and Lionel have trouble getting along. They learn about "symbiosis" from Hippopotamuses, where different living things help each other.
    • Stanley always loses at hide-and-seek. He learns about animal Camouflage.
  • "Penguin Party / Leave it to Beavers"
    • Stanley is afraid to skate. He learns about amazing Penguins who can't fly but are great swimmers.
    • Stanley and his friends want to build a clubhouse. They learn building tricks from hardworking Beavers.
  • "The Joker / Baby Pictures"
    • Stanley tries to tell a joke. He learns about the "laughing bird," the Kookaburra.
    • Kids bring baby photos to school. Stanley learns how long it takes for different animals like Cats, goldfish, and dogs to grow up.
  • "You've Got Pigeon Mail / It's a Prairie Dog's Life"
    • Stanley misses his mom. He learns about Pigeons and how mail works.
    • Stanley wants to move freely. He learns about Prairie dogs.

Season 2 (2002–03) Highlights

Season 3 (2004) Highlights

Special TV Episodes

  • "Little Dog Lost" (Christmas special)
  • "Grandma Griff's Mystery Guest" (Halloween special)
  • "A Turkey of a Thanksgiving" (Thanksgiving special)
  • "Stanley's Great Big Book of Everything Adventure"

Awards and Recognition

The show Stanley and its cast have received awards for their work:

Stanley's Movie Adventure

On January 3, 2006, a full-length movie based on Stanley was released directly to video. It was called Stanley's Dinosaur Round-Up. In this film, Stanley, along with Elsie, Dennis, Harry, Mimi, Lester, and Marci, work together to save his Great Uncle Stew's (John Ritter) dude ranch. A greedy character named Rockin' Rory (Randy Quaid) wants to buy the ranch and turn it into an amusement park.

Images for kids

  • Stanley 2001 Title Card

    Title card

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Stanley (serie animada) para niños

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