Jeff Brown's Flat Stanley: The Australian Boomerang Bonanza. Josh Greenhut

stopped in his tracks. ‘It’s – But you’re –’ he sputtered.

      Stanley stared at the man. He did look very familiar.

      ‘G’day, Arthur,’ the man said in an accent that sounded . . . British? ‘Do you have something to say to me?’

      Arthur looked at him blankly. ‘I haven’t had a chance to wash up,’ he blurted.

      The man’s thick eyebrows danced up and down with amusement. Then, very mysteriously, he said: ‘Isn’t there something else you should say, mate?’

      Arthur gulped. He opened and shut his eyes. He swallowed. He pinched Stanley.

      ‘Ouch!’ Stanley cried.

      ‘I’m not dreaming,’ Arthur croaked under his breath. Then, in a very loud, careful voice he began, ‘I JUST . . .’

      Suddenly, Stanley knew exactly who the man was!

      ‘JUMP . . . FOR . . . KANGA ROOS!’ he and his brother shouted together, hopping up and down in time with the words, just like in the Kanga Roos commercials.

      For the man standing before them was none other than Billy Wallaby, the Australian cereal magnate whose face graced the front of every box! This could mean only one thing: ‘Looks like Arthur and a guest are coming with me to Australia!’ Billy Wallaby announced.

      The living room went wild. The woman with the clipboard clapped. Arthur did a crazy dance. Harriet Lambchop started to cry. George Lambchop shook everybody’s hand. Mr Wallaby himself slapped Stanley on the back so hard that Stanley flipped over.

      ‘I can’t believe it!’ said Arthur. ‘I never thought when I cut out that form from the back of the cereal box –’

      ‘Never say never, mate,’ said Mr Wallaby. ‘So, who are you going to take with you? Your mum or your dad?’

      Stanley looked at the ground. He understood, of course. He had gone on so many trips without Arthur. It was only fair that Arthur got to have his own adventure for once.

      And then Arthur did something that surprised Stanley even more than an Australian billionaire showing up in their living room and giving away a trip to the other side of the world. He said, ‘Can Stanley come?’