When Stanley’s mom leaves on an overnight business trip, Stanley decides to take off on a trip of his own—to Mars. Traveling in a backyard spaceship fashioned from a cardboard box, he lands on Mars and sends a Martian home in his place. Both his dad and his older brother welcome the Martian, and quickly adjust to his habits, such as skipping dinner to make room for dessert, and not washing. The Martian sleeps in Stanley’s bed and even goes to school the next day, where everyone mistakes him for Stanley. When Stanley’s mom returns home, so, too, does Stanley. Cartoon pen-and ink and watercolor illustrations add humor to an already funny story about a boy using imaginary play as a coping mechanism. His wonderful family members are all wise enough to play along, letting Stanley work through his anxiety in his own way. (Ages 4–7)