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readingthroughtheages's review
4.0
Great book for kindergarten and 1st grade! Writing is hard for little ones, and forming the letters can make it even harder! I love that Stan learned to ask for help and that his teacher used a kinesthetic approach to working with her students!
daisycakesco's review
3.0
A boy is afraid to ask the teacher for help with writing letters (his go back to front and upside down) because he thinks everyone will laugh at him. A friend finally convinces him, and with teacher's help, he improves. In the story it seems like they practice for DAYS, but it turns out to be only one afternoon. Not sure that would make THAT much of a difference. But glad Stan finally asked for help! And I liked the message that EVERYONE needs help with SOMETHING.
lalunasecreta's review
A story that teaches it's okay to ask for help. Also a good story for little ones who are just starting to write or are struggling to do so. There is a listening ear willing to help!
wordnerd153's review
3.0
Good book to read to elementary students at the beginning of the year to encourage them to ask for help when they struggle and to teach them about dyslexia.
24hourlibrary's review
4.0
Alluding to dyslexia, Back to Front and Upside Down finds Stan in his classroom trying to write a birthday card for his principal. When he struggles while other students seem to easily find their way around writing, a classmate convinces him to speak with their teacher where he receives additional help and discovers he's not alone before he is eventually successful.
Alexander throws in the occasional rhyme and uses basic language throughout. The word "dyslexia" (nor any other specific indicator) is never mentioned in the course of the story, but this would provide an excellent example for younger students struggling to overcome learning challenges. Meanwhile, the story is paired with a playful and rounded illustration style.
Alexander throws in the occasional rhyme and uses basic language throughout. The word "dyslexia" (nor any other specific indicator) is never mentioned in the course of the story, but this would provide an excellent example for younger students struggling to overcome learning challenges. Meanwhile, the story is paired with a playful and rounded illustration style.
katiekeeler's review
4.0
Alexander, C. (2012). Back to front and upside down! Grand Rapids MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.
Summary: The young student, Stan, and his classmates have the opportunity to write birthday cards for Mr. Slippers, the principal. The only problem is that Stan becomes frustrated with his inability to write letters properly. After encouragement from a friend, he finally decides to ask his teacher for help. He even found out that his other classmates needed the same help, which made him not feel as embarrassed. In the end, Stan was confident and proud to share with Mr. Slippers the card he had created.
Review: Booklist (August 2012 (Vol. 108, No. 22))
Preschool-Grade 2. Floundering students will recognize themselves as they follow the frustrations of Stan the puppy. Stan is in Miss Catnip’s reading circle when Mr. Slippers, the principal-hound, invites them all to his birthday party. Miss Catnip suggests drawing cards that say Happy Birthday. But Stan has trouble copying the words Miss Catnip puts on the board—they come out backward, upside down, and some don’t even resemble letters at all. Alexander’s watercolors progress from soft tints to darker ones, until a completely black two-page spread shows tiny Stan sitting despondently far off to the side. The breakthrough comes when Stan confesses that he can’t form letters and begins to get extra assistance. The book emphasizes that getting it right takes lots . . . and lots . . . and LOTS of practice, but, more importantly, Stan learns to ask for help when he needs it. Students with dyslexia will especially benefit from this book, but its gentle encouragement will also help tamp the shame of any struggling student.
Curriculum Connection: For kindergarten students, handwriting can be a chore. This would be an excellent title to share with them as they move through units of study that focus on the process of learning to write their letters. It can demonstrate how most young people feel frustrated at some point when they are trying to get their letters properly written.
Genre: Fiction
Age: Primary grades
Summary: The young student, Stan, and his classmates have the opportunity to write birthday cards for Mr. Slippers, the principal. The only problem is that Stan becomes frustrated with his inability to write letters properly. After encouragement from a friend, he finally decides to ask his teacher for help. He even found out that his other classmates needed the same help, which made him not feel as embarrassed. In the end, Stan was confident and proud to share with Mr. Slippers the card he had created.
Review: Booklist (August 2012 (Vol. 108, No. 22))
Preschool-Grade 2. Floundering students will recognize themselves as they follow the frustrations of Stan the puppy. Stan is in Miss Catnip’s reading circle when Mr. Slippers, the principal-hound, invites them all to his birthday party. Miss Catnip suggests drawing cards that say Happy Birthday. But Stan has trouble copying the words Miss Catnip puts on the board—they come out backward, upside down, and some don’t even resemble letters at all. Alexander’s watercolors progress from soft tints to darker ones, until a completely black two-page spread shows tiny Stan sitting despondently far off to the side. The breakthrough comes when Stan confesses that he can’t form letters and begins to get extra assistance. The book emphasizes that getting it right takes lots . . . and lots . . . and LOTS of practice, but, more importantly, Stan learns to ask for help when he needs it. Students with dyslexia will especially benefit from this book, but its gentle encouragement will also help tamp the shame of any struggling student.
Curriculum Connection: For kindergarten students, handwriting can be a chore. This would be an excellent title to share with them as they move through units of study that focus on the process of learning to write their letters. It can demonstrate how most young people feel frustrated at some point when they are trying to get their letters properly written.
Genre: Fiction
Age: Primary grades
circleofreadersdruid's review against another edition
4.0
A puppy has trouble writing his letters and panics, but a piglet friend convinces him to ask for help. It turns out he's not the only one who needs some extra work and encouragement and his problems are eventually happily resolved. The text is nice and simple, the font is clear and easy to read, and the messages are positive and sweet without being too saccharine. Perfect for kids starting school who are struggling with their letters, but also a great book about being a friend. Bonus: the teacher is a cat. I checked this book out from the Mississippi Library Commission.
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