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kitsuneheart's review against another edition
4.0
Miss Catnip's class is excited to make birthday cards for the principal, but when she asks students to write "Happy Birthday" on their cards, Stan is terrified. His letters all come out jumbled! But, with the encouragement of his friend, he asks the teacher for help, and finds he isn't the only student who has a hard time!
This book won the Schneider Family Book Award, which is given to books which portray people living with a disability. In this instance, while it is never stated explicitly, Stan has dyslexia. While the solution to his problem may be simple (simple enough that he is able to write "Happy Birthday" in one afternoon of practice), making it so is encouraging to children who also have troubles with their letters.
The artwork is soft and, quite frankly, adorable, and you really FEEL for Stan when he's on the playground, fretting over his card.
While I've not read many picture books which address dyslexia, I think this book needs to be the minimum starting point for bringing up the issue in a classroom setting. By reading this in class, hopefully at least some students who have a problem with reading and writing will feel more comfortable coming forward and getting the assistance they need. And, of course, this is a MUST for any household where a child has just been found to have dyslexia! Seeing themselves in a book will help them realize it's normal and that they can still do well in school.
This book won the Schneider Family Book Award, which is given to books which portray people living with a disability. In this instance, while it is never stated explicitly, Stan has dyslexia. While the solution to his problem may be simple (simple enough that he is able to write "Happy Birthday" in one afternoon of practice), making it so is encouraging to children who also have troubles with their letters.
The artwork is soft and, quite frankly, adorable, and you really FEEL for Stan when he's on the playground, fretting over his card.
While I've not read many picture books which address dyslexia, I think this book needs to be the minimum starting point for bringing up the issue in a classroom setting. By reading this in class, hopefully at least some students who have a problem with reading and writing will feel more comfortable coming forward and getting the assistance they need. And, of course, this is a MUST for any household where a child has just been found to have dyslexia! Seeing themselves in a book will help them realize it's normal and that they can still do well in school.
lilp8n's review against another edition
4.0
This book is relatable to kids who struggle with various things in life. It is important for kids to feel important and they should not let a struggle bring them down.
thewenzl's review against another edition
4.0
Adorable story about a puppy who writes his letters back to front and upside down and was scared to ask for help because he thought the other kids would laugh at him.
carolineinthelibrary's review against another edition
5.0
Stan struggles when asked to right a get well card for Mr. Slippers. It's alluded to that Stan might be dyslexic, but the key point of the book is that when Stan does ask for help, other kids in the class start asking for help too. A really important message that you're almost never the only one struggling and asking for help is so important!
lannthacker's review against another edition
2.0
Deals with learning to write properly and asking teach for help when something in class is a struggle.
cimorene1558's review against another edition
3.0
For a book obviously written with the intention of making kids feel better about having trouble learning to write, this is pretty good. But it is pretty obviously a book written with the concept first and the story later, and that's rarely the route to a terrific book. However, this is better than many of that kind!
arundlestl's review against another edition
4.0
This book has a strong message, but isn't preachy. I hope that it reaches Kindergarteners who are struggling with writing. It's okay to ask for help because we all learn at a different pace, but no one will tease you. And, hey, tell your teacher. That's why she's there.
daniellesalwaysreading's review against another edition
3.0
Very sweet book about a child who has trouble writing. It seems to be relevant only for kids starting school and learning to write but the pictures are very well done. Perhaps would also be good for children who are trying to overcome a fear of something.
racheldee1316's review against another edition
5.0
"Back to Front and Upside Down" Shows students that it is okay to ask for help when needed and not to be ashamed of their struggles.