"Flat Stanley" by Jeff Brown and Rob Biddulph (Egmont Publishing)

I've always wondered how contemporary artists feel when they get to take on something of a 'dream gig'. The pressure must be immense, to not only do justice to a well-loved character, but to ensure that folk know it's your work as well as the author's.

"Flat Stanley" revives the classic character (who is nearly as old as me, wow, that's old!) created by Jeff Brown, with all new illustrations from a megastar in kidlit, Rob Biddulph.

Rob's trademark bright flat colours work perfectly for the story of a little boy who, one night, ends up the victim of an unfortunate accident. his bedside pinboard falls on him, flattening him out.

When Stanley wakes up the next morning, his little brother realises that he's as flat as a pancake! Eep!

Stanley is determined to make the best of his new-found dimensions, but soon realises that other kids can be pretty cruel if you're 'different' in any way.

But luckily little bro comes to the rescue with the aid of a bike pump!

It's a thoroughly original and hugely inspirational story that heralds from an era when children's picture books were going through as much of a golden age as they are now. The story still feels so fresh and fun, more so than ever now Rob's given it a new lease of life with superb detail and a ton of character.

Sum this book up in a sentence: A fantastic and welcome return to a well-loved children's character brilliantly reinvented for a whole new generation of kids.

"Flat Stanley" by Jeff Brown and Rob Biddulph is out now, published by Egmont Publishing (kindly supplied for review).