Back to Front and Upside Down!
by Claire Alexander (Author)
Originally published: London: Gullane Children's Books, 2012.
It's the principal Mr. Slipper's birthday, and while the rest of the class gets busy writing cards for the occasion, Stan becomes frustrated when his letters come out all in a muddle. Stan is afraid to ask for help, until a friend assures him that nobody's good at everything. And after lots and lots of practice, Stan's letters come out the right way round and the right way up.
This delightful book deals with a common childhood frustration and will remind readers that practice pays off and that everyone has to ask for help sometimes.
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Publishers Weekly
The principal of Stan's school is having a birthday, and Miss Catnip, Stan's teacher, has a great thought: everyone is going to make a birthday card for Mr. Slippers. Stan, an adorable brown puppy with floppy ears and an expressive snout, immediately starts drawing an impressive picture--until he learns that Miss Catnip expects everyone to write a greeting as well. Writing is definitely not Stan's strong suit: "is letters came out back to front and upside down, and some didn't look like letters at all! I can't do this! Stan thought." When Stan hits rock bottom--"Even his name was coming out in a muddle"--he becomes a tiny, disconsolate figure at his desk (his legs don't even touch the ground), marooned in a black sea of despair. But good advice from his friend Jack ("We all have to ask for help sometimes") and compassionate help ride to the rescue. It's not a new idea, but Alexander (Small Florence, Piggy Pop Star) is such a caring and visually sumptuous storyteller that readers will happily travel down this road with her. Ages 4-7. (Aug.)
Copyright 2012 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 1--Stan, a small anthropomorphic puppy, faces a big problem-his class is making birthday cards for the principal, but he just can't get the hang of writing. He is despondent until a friend suggests that he approach their teacher for help. Gathering up some courage, Stan approaches Miss Catnip and discovers that he's not the only one having trouble. After "lots and lots and lots of practice," Stan's writing improves and he not only creates a great card, but learns that he should always ask for help when he is struggling. Alexander's mostly full-page illustrations of Stan and his animal friends are bright and cheerful. Though cartoonish, they expressively depict the change in Stan's emotions-from isolation and sadness to accomplishment and happiness. The story is a tad didactic, but it teaches a good lesson. Students should have no trouble sympathizing with Stan's learning difficulties and cheer for his success.--Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly at Chappaqua Library, NY
Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
A wonderful, warm, sympathetic book that addresses the common childhood fear of failure. . . . Provides the encouraging message that everyone needs help sometimes and it's okay to get the help they need.
Claire Alexander has written and illustrated Lucy and the Bully, Small Florence, and Lost in the Snow (all Gullane). She lives in England. Visit Claire's website at www.clairealexander.co.uk.
Schools
Dyslexia
