READERS 2 2

    Deborah

    Lock 3.99 USA

    4.99 Canada

    Jacket images Front: Punchstock:

    Brand X Pictures (curtain); Keith Pattison

    (adult actors); Andy Crawford (child actor).

    DK READERS

    Stunning photographs combine

    with lively illustrations and engaging,age-appropriate stories in DK READERS, a multilevel

    reading program guaranteed to capture children’s interest

    while developing their reading skills and general knowledge.

    DK READERS

    Jake and his mom are going to the

    theater. Take a look backstage at

    all the scenery, props, and costumes.

    2

    With Dk reaDerS, children

    will learn to read—then read to learn!

    READERS READERS

    A trip to the theAter

    I S B N 978-0-7566-3490-2

    9 7 8 0 7 5 6 6 3 4 9 0 2

    5 0 3 9 9

    Printed in China

    · High-frequency words

    · Picture word strips, picture glossary, and simple index

    · Labels to introduce and reinforce vocabulary

    · High level of adult participation helpful

    · Longer sentences and increased vocabulary

    · Information boxes full of extra fun facts

    · Simple index

    · Occasional adult participation helpful

    · More complex sentence structure

    · Information boxes and alphabetical glossary

    · Comprehensive index

    · Simple sentences and limited vocabulary

    · Picture glossary and simple index

    · Adult participation helpful

    · Rich vocabulary and challenging sentence structure

    · Additional information and alphabetical glossary

    · Comprehensive index

    DK Publishing LocK

    Discover more at

    www.dk.com

    Beginning

    to read

    Beginning

    to read alone

    Reading

    alone

    Profcient

    readers

    Learning

    to readDinosaur Dinners

    Fire Fighter!

    Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!

    Slinky, Scaly Snakes!

    Animal Hospital

    The Little Ballerina

    Munching, Crunching, Sniffng,and Snooping

    The Secret Life of Trees

    Winking, Blinking, Wiggling,and Waggling

    Astronaut: Living in Space

    Twisters!

    Holiday! Celebration Days

    around the World

    The Story of Pocahontas

    Horse Show

    Survivors: The Night the Titanic

    Sank

    Eruption! The Story of Volcanoes

    The Story of Columbus

    Journey of a Humpback Whale

    Amazing Buildings

    Feathers, Flippers, and Feet

    Outback Adventure: Australian

    Vacation

    Sniffes, Sneezes, Hiccups, and

    Coughs

    Ice Skating Stars

    Let’s Go Riding

    I Want to Be a Gymnast

    Starry Sky

    Earth Smart: How to Take Care

    of the Environment

    Water Everywhere

    Telling Time

    A Trip to the Theater

    LEGO: Castle Under Attack

    LEGO: Rocket Rescue

    Star Wars: Journey Through Space

    Star Wars: A Queen's Diary

    MLB: A Batboy's Day

    MLB: Let’s Go to the Ballpark!

    Spider-Man: Worst Enemies

    Meet the X-Men

    ·Insectos! en espa?ol

    ·Bomberos! en espa?ol

    La Historia de Pocahontas en

    espa?ol

    Level 2

    Spacebusters: The Race to the Moon

    Beastly Tales

    Shark Attack!

    Titanic

    Invaders from Outer Space

    Movie Magic

    Plants Bite Back!

    Time Traveler

    Bermuda Triangle

    Tiger Tales

    Aladdin

    Heidi

    Zeppelin: The Age of the Airship

    Spies

    Terror on the Amazon

    Disasters at Sea

    The Story of Anne Frank

    Abraham Lincoln: Lawyer, Leader,Legend

    George Washington: Soldier, Hero,President

    Extreme Sports

    Spiders’ Secrets

    The Big Dinosaur Dig

    Space Heroes: Amazing Astronauts

    The Story of Chocolate

    School Days Around the World

    Polar Bear Alert!

    NFL: Whiz Kid Quarterbacks

    MLB: Home Run Heroes: Big Mac,Sammy, and Junior

    MLB: World Series Heroes

    MLB: Record Breakers

    MLB: Down to the Wire: Baseball’s

    Great Pennant Races

    Star Wars: Star Pilot

    Star Wars: I want to be a Jedi

    The X-Men School

    Abraham Lincoln: Abogado, Líder,Leyenda en espa?ol

    Al Espacio: La Carrera a la Luna

    en espa?ol

    Fantastic Four: The World's Greatest

    Superteam

    Level 3

    READERS

    Theater Facts

    The ancient Greeks performed

    their plays in large outdoor

    theaters called amphitheaters.

    The actors wore masks to

    represent their characters.

    Medieval plays were first

    performed on wagons in large

    outdoor marketplaces.

    Later, open-air playhouses were

    built. Audiences sat or stood on

    three sides of the stage. Hardly

    any scenery was used.

    During the 7th and 8th

    centuries, plays were performed in

    fully lit rooms. The stage had a

    decorative frame around it.

    Today, audiences sit in the dark,watching the performance on

    a lit stage. Plays may have lots

    of scenery and special effects.

    Some famous plays are made

    into movies.Series Editor Deborah Lock

    U.S. Editor John Searcy

    Senior Art Editor Sonia Whillock-Moore

    Production Editor Siu Chan

    Production Pip Tinsley

    Jacket Designer Sonia Whillock-Moore

    Photographer Andy Crawford

    Production Photographer Keith Pattison

    Reading Consultant

    Linda Gambrell, Ph.D.

    First American Edition, 2008

    08 09 10 11 12 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

    Published in the United States by DK Publishing

    375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014

    Copyright ? 2008 Dorling Kindersley Limited

    All rights reserved under International and Pan-American

    Copyright Conventions. No part of this publication may be

    reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any

    form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission

    of the copyright owner.

    Published in Great Britain by Dorling Kindersley Limited

    DK books are available at special discounts when purchased in bulk for

    sales promotions, premiums, fund-raising, or educational use.

    For details, contact: DK Publishing Special Markets

    375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014

    SpecialSales@dk.com

    A catalog record for this book is available

    from the Library of Congress

    ISBN: 978-0-7566-3490-2 (Paperback)

    ISBN: 978-0-7566-3491-9 (Hardcover)

    Color reproduction by Colourscan, Singapore

    Printed and bound in China by L. Rex Printing Co. Ltd.

    The publisher wishes to thank Cavan Day-Lewis,Caroline Day-Lewis and Stewart Cairns.

    The production of Flat Stanley featured was produced by West

    Yorkshire Playhouse and Polka Theatre in 2006–7. Based on the

    story by Jeff Brown with illustrations by Scott Nash and adapted for

    the stage by Mike Kenny. It was directed by Gail McIntyre, designed

    by Karen Tennent, lighting design by Ian Scott, animation by

    John Barber, composition by Julian Ronnie and sound design by

    Martin Pickersgill. The original cast were Ian Bonar, Stewart

    Cairns, Lisa Howard, and Robin Simpson.

    Flat Stanley is published by Egmont in the UK

    and by HarperCollins in the United States.

    With thanks also to all at Polka Theatre, Wimbledon, London,www.polkatheatre.com, including Chris Barham, James Cartwright,Anwen Cooper, Hélène Hill, Tim Highman, Paula Hopkins, Anne

    James, Kim Kish, Ben Powell-Williams, and Mary Trafford.

    Flat Stanley illustration ? Scott Nash

    The publisher would like to thank the following for their kind

    permission to reproduce their photographs:

    a=above, b=belowbottom, c=center, l=left, r=right, t=top

    Alamy Images: Frank Chmura 32. Flickr.com:

    vancouverfringephotos 24-25b. Kenneth A. Goldberg: 30t;

    All other images ? Dorling Kindersley

    For more information see: www.dkimages.com

    Discover more at

    www.dk.com

    LoNDoN, NEW YoRK, MUNICH,MELBoURNE, and DELHIA Trip to the

    Theater

    Written by Deborah Lock

    R E ADE R S

    PROFICIENT

    ALON E

    READING TO R EA D

    BEGINNING

    TO R EAD ALON E

    BEGINNING

    2

    3

    1

    4

    READERS

    DK Publishing

    All morning, Jake was

    very excited.

    “I can’t wait to see

    Uncle Stewart

    in his play today,”

    Jake told his mom

    for the third time.

    Jake’s uncle was an actor

    in a theater group.

    The group travels

    around the country,performing in theaters. 

    The Chi ldren’s

    After lunch, Jake and his mom

    went to the theater to meet Stewart.

    Stewart was going to take

    them on a tour of

    the backstage area,before they watched

    the play.

    As they arrived,Jake looked up at

    the theater’s large sign.

    All around the entrance,there were posters

    that showed the dates

    and times of the performances.

    The Chi ldren’s

    Jake eagerly pushed open

    the doors and stepped into

    the theater lobby.

    His mom went to the box office

    to buy two tickets for the play.

    Then Stewart came to meet them.

    “Hello, Jake,” said Stewart

    with a beaming smile.

    “Welcome to the theater.

    Let me show you around.”10

    “I’ll show you the auditorium first,”

    said Stewart, leading the way.

    “This is where you’ll sit to watch

    our performance.”

    “Wow, it’s big,” Jake gasped,as he looked at all the seats.

    “Yes, there are 300 seats,”

    explained Stewart.

    “At the top is the control room

    where the sound-and-lighting

    operator sits during the play.”

    Stage lighting

    Lights shine onto

    the actors on stage.

    Different shades and

    colors help change

    the mood of a play.1112

    “The stage is set up for

    my favorite scene,” said Stewart.

    “This is the park where my

    character flies his kite.”13

    “What are the trees, kites, and

    boats made from?” asked Jake.

    “Just painted wood and paper,”

    said Stewart.

    “Let’s go backstage and I’ll show

    you where they were made.” 14

    Stewart led Jake and

    his mom through a door

    into the backstage area.

    “This is the workshop,”

    said Stewart.

    “Our prop manager, Ben, makes

    the scenery and props here.”

    “What are props?”

    asked Jake.

    “They are the objects

    that actors use on

    stage,” said Stewart.

    Fake food

    Food props are often

    made from foam, clay,wire mesh, or paper,and then painted to

    look real.1516

    “Next, I’ll show you where our

    costumes are made,” said Stewart.

    They entered a room full of colorful

    clothes, hats, wigs, and jewelry.

    “This is Sue,” said Stewart.

    “She designs the costumes

    we wear in our plays.” 17

    “Would you like

    to try on this

    police officer’s

    costume?” Sue

    asked Jake.

    “Yes, please,”

    replied Jake.

    Jake laughed

    at his reflection

    in the mirror.

    Costume designer

    Costumes are based on

    sketches drawn by

    the costume designer.

    She chooses the styles

    and fabrics to suit the play.1819

    Director

    The director oversees

    every part of the play.

    He helps everyone

    work together to make

    the show a success.

    “Now let’s take a look at the area

    behind the stage,” said Stewart.

    As they walked downstairs,they met James, the director.

    “Hi, Stewart,” said James.

    “Are you ready for the show?

    The final rehearsal went

    really well yesterday.”

    “What’s a rehearsal?” asked Jake.

    “It’s a practice performance of

    the play,” explained Stewart.20

    Stage manager

    The stage manager

    makes sure everything is

    running smoothly during

    the performance, both

    onstage and backstage.

    It was very dark behind the stage.

    “This is Chris, the stage manager,”

    said Stewart.

    “What are you doing?” asked Jake.

    “I’m making sure that all the props

    and costumes are in the right

    place,” replied Chris.

    “We need to know exactly where

    they are so that we

    can find them quickly

    during the play,”

    added Stewart.2122

    “In this show, some of the actors

    play more than one character,”

    explained Chris.

    “They have to change quickly

    from one costume to another.” 23

    “The actor who plays the father

    also plays a doctor, a security guard,and a policeman!” Stewart added.

    “I’ll look out for him in the play,”

    said Jake.

    “If we hurry, we’ll have time to see

    the control room,” said Stewart.

    “Follow me.”,24

    “This is Abby, the operator,” said

    Stewart, as they entered the control

    room. “During the performance,she uses the control panel to

    change the lighting and create

    sound effects.”

    “I have to follow the script

    carefully so I don’t

    miss my cue,”

    said Abby.,25

    “It’s time for me to get ready,”

    said Stewart, checking his watch.26

    “Come and see my

    dressing room,” said Stewart.

    They entered a room filled with

    mirrors surrounded by bright lights.

    “I sit here to put on my makeup,”

    explained Stewart.27

    “We should go find our seats,” said

    Jake’s mom. “Good luck, Stewart.”

    “Sometimes people say ‘break a leg’

    instead of ‘good luck’ to actors

    before a show,” explained Stewart.

    “Break a leg,” laughed Jake.28

    “Now it’s time

    to get into

    character,”

    thought Stewart.

    He started to put

    on his makeup.

    “I think I need more color on

    my chin,” he said.29

    Next, he painted his lips

    and cheeks a rosy red

    and added black freckles

    with a thin paintbrush.

    Finally, Stewart pinned

    on his orange wig.

    “Perfect!” he said.

    He put on his costume

    and headed off to the stage.

    30

    Meanwhile, Jake and his mom

    were sitting in the auditorium,surrounded by chattering people.

    Suddenly, the lights faded,the audience stopped

    talking, and

    the music began.

    The play was about

    the adventures of

    a boy, who was

    played by Stewart.

    31

    Mom bought Jake some candy

    during the intermission.

    In the second half, Stewart’s

    character caught a burglar.

    It was very exciting.

    At the end, the actors

    bowed to the audience.

    Jake clapped very loudly.

    “That was fantastic!” he said.

    THE

    ENDA Note to Parents

    DK READERS is a compelling program for beginning

    readers, designed in conjunction with leading literacy

    experts, including Dr. Linda Gambrell, Distinguished

    Professor of Education at Clemson University. Dr. Gambrell

    has served as President of the National Reading

    Conference, the College Reading Association, and

    the International Reading Association.

    Beautiful illustrations and superb full-color

    photographs combine with engaging, easy-to-read stories

    to offer a fresh approach to each subject in the series.

    Each DK READER is guaranteed to capture a child’s

    interest while developing his or her reading skills,general knowledge, and love of reading.

    The fve levels of DK READERS are aimed at different

    reading abilities, enabling you to choose the books that

    are exactly right for your child:

    Pre-level 1: Learning to read

    Level 1: Beginning to read

    Level 2: Beginning to read alone

    Level 3: Reading alone

    Level 4: Profcient readers

    The “normal” age at which a child

    begins to read can be anywhere from

    three to eight years old. Adult

    participation through the lower

    levels is very helpful for providing

    encouragement, discussing storylines,and sounding out unfamiliar words.

    No matter which level you select, you

    can be sure that you are helping your

    child learn to read, then read to learn!actor 5, 10, 14,22-23, 27, 31

    audience 30, 31

    auditorium 10, 30

    backstage 6, 13,14, 20

    box office 8

    character 12, 22,28, 31

    control room 10,23, 24

    costume designer

    17

    costumes 16-17,20, 22, 29

    director 19

    dressing room 26

    intermission 31

    lighting 10, 24, 30

    lobby 8

    makeup 26, 28

    operator 10, 24

    performance 6, 10,19, 20, 24

    posters 6

    props 14, 20

    prop manager 14

    rehearsal 19

    scene 12

    scenery 14

    script 24

    sound 10, 24

    stage 10, 12, 14,19, 20, 29

    stage manager 20

    theater 5, 6, 8, 9

    theater group 5

    tickets 8

    wig 16, 29

    workshop 14

    Index

    My name is

    I have read this book ?

    Date

    READERSREADERS 2 2

    Deborah

    Lock 3.99 USA

    4.99 Canada

    Jacket images Front: Punchstock:

    Brand X Pictures (curtain); Keith Pattison

    (adult actors); Andy Crawford (child actor).

    DK READERS

    Stunning photographs combine

    with lively illustrations and engaging,age-appropriate stories in DK READERS, a multilevel

    reading program guaranteed to capture children’s interest

    while developing their reading skills and general knowledge.

    DK READERS

    Jake and his mom are going to the

    theater. Take a look backstage at

    all the scenery, props, and costumes.

    2

    With Dk reaDerS, children

    will learn to read—then read to learn!

    READERS READERS

    A trip to the theAter

    I S B N 978-0-7566-3490-2

    9 7 8 0 7 5 6 6 3 4 9 0 2

    5 0 3 9 9

    Printed in China

    · High-frequency words

    · Picture word strips, picture glossary, and simple index

    · Labels to introduce and reinforce vocabulary

    · High level of adult participation helpful

    · Longer sentences and increased vocabulary

    · Information boxes full of extra fun facts

    · Simple index

    · Occasional adult participation helpful

    · More complex sentence structure

    · Information boxes and alphabetical glossary

    · Comprehensive index

    · Simple sentences and limited vocabulary

    · Picture glossary and simple index

    · Adult participation helpful

    · Rich vocabulary and challenging sentence structure

    · Additional information and alphabetical glossary

    · Comprehensive index

    DK Publishing LocK

    Discover more at

    www.dk.com

    Beginning

    to read

    Beginning

    to read alone

    Reading

    alone

    Profcient

    readers

    Learning

    to read ......