Back to Front and Upside Down

by Claire Alexander

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.

Watch the trailer:

Genres: Picture Books, School, Disability, Childrens, Animals, Friendship, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2012

About the author

Claire was born in Bath, Wiltshire and moved to Kent when she was six. she has always loved drawing from an early age and remembers being asked by her school mates to draw rabbits for them! After school she studied Fine Art at the Kent Institute of Art and Design in Canterbury where she achieved a BA degree in Painting. She moved to London in 1995 and stumbled through many different jobs until she studied children's illustration at Putney School of Art. Here Claire produced her first dummy book for Small Florence, which was then published and started her dream career as an author illustrator.

In 2007 Claire wrote her own course on writing and illustrating picture books which she has been teaching ever since, and now at the House of Illustration. She regularly visits schools and enjoys drawing for children.

Claire's new title 'The Best Bit of Daddy's Day' will be published in June 2016.

'Monkey and the Little One' was shortlisted for the 2015 Junior Design Awards and listed as one of the top ten best new picture books during Independent Book Sellers Week 2015.

'Back to Front and Upside Down' won the 2013 Schneider Family Book Award from the American Libraries Associataion. The award honors an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.

'Lucy and the Bully' won the 2009 Paterson Prize for Young People and 'Small Florence' was short listed for the 2010 Mad About Books Stockport Schools' Book Award.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

The feeling of being different and unable to do what the children can comes through in this story along with the fact it's okay to ask for help. The image of Stan with the clock ticking large behind him while he looks at the other students conveys some of his panic. The page showing him small and sad in the corner of a two-page black spread does a great job of showing his feelings. But it's a very simplistic view to give the impression that Stan will be able to write his letters correctly with lots of practice on one day. Showing different methods of practicing his letters and the ending with Stan sometimes taking longer than others and asking for help are great. But readers may come away thinking that it will only take a day or two of practice to learn to write correctly. Disheartening for those with dyslexia.

Being picky, but why does the title have the 'B' backwards but no letters upside down?

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be about dyslexia, though the solution seems overly easy if that's the case.

Instead, it acts as an overall reassurance for any child having trouble with a concept at school, that asking for help is okay, and everyone needs help sometimes.

There is a spread in the middle. almost all black, with the worried looking Stan in the lower right corner, and in the upper left corner it says:

"Stan felt sick, like his tummy was being all stirred up with a big wooden spoon. Even his name was coming out in a muddle."

That his something helpful for children to read, because sometimes that will be them, and they need to know that it is not just them.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The message to ask for help and keep trying works but it's a bit stilted.

[Grace Stauffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is perfect for a student that worries about what other people will think of him. The text can be hard to read on some of the pages, so if you're planning to read this as a read aloud you should pre-read. The pictures are great for making inferences in the story. There is a point in the book where Stan was looking around and behind him was a big clock. This shows that Stan was panicking and felt that the time was going by very fast. The book itself is super cute because it teaches the lesson that if you're afraid to ask for help, someone else is probably scared too. Teachers can have this book in their classroom so children can find a "window"to compare what others might feel when they are panicked and afraid that the class might laugh at them.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe this book is good for young elementary students how ever it does not have a good representation of ethnicity. The book uses animals instead of people which is why it is a good book for very young kids. The book has an amazing message that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. In this book one student struggles with writing when all the other students can write with no problem. One of the characters in the book made Stan realize that everyone has to ask for help sometimes. Stan finally asked his teacher for help and another student spoke up and said she needed help too. After lots of practice write more and more of there letters can out the right way. I feel this book is important for children to hear that they feel comfortable asking for help even if no one else needs help. You might be good at somethings and you might need practice with other things. This book has a good example of a window for students who can relate to struggling with reading or write.

[Erin]

Audience: 4-7, struggling/reluctant readers, those with dyslexia, students with different learning styles or intelligences
Appeal: the graphics are adorable, the vocabulary isn't too difficult, the focus is inspirational with a true "can do" attitude, and it does a really good job of showing how students who are a little slower, more deliberate workers aren't necessarily stupid
Application: I would use this book for a younger group of students to help them realize how everyone learns differently and that just because someone has different strengths than you doesn't make them more stupid than you; I think that intellectual elitism is something that really needs to be nipped in the bud more often to be effective, at a younger age; I definitely believe strongly in what this book is about.
Award: 2013 Schneider Family Book Award, ages 0 — 10

School Library Journal Review:
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 (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book won the 2013 Schenider Family Book Award for early readers. I'm so glad this gorgeous, large format picture book was brought to my attention. I am always looking for books to use when I present disability-themed storytimes to schoolchildren. I will be using this at the end of the month with a second grade class. Thanks to the author/illustrator!

Stan, a positively adorable anamorphic pup, wants to join his class in creating a card for the principal Mr. Slipper's birthday. But he feels upset and embarrassed when his written words come out 'back to front and upside down.' This is well-expressed: "Stan felt sick, like his tummy was being stirred up with a big wooden spoon."

The phrasing of the book brings me to the question of why two of the three Schneider Award winners this year were written by British authors. Years ago, a girlfriend of mine suggested that I submit poems to a stunning British journal, DAM (Disability Arts Magazine). They were supportive of my work, and each issue was a well-crafted gem filled with remarkable art works. There was nothing like it on this side of the Atlantic. There still isn't.

If you look at this book and the middle grade Schneider winner, A Dog Called Homeless, there is a matter of factness, mixed with charm and good humor. (Come to think of it, my absolute favorite picture book to read and sign with children is Susan Laughs--by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross.)American authors seem largely incapable of this kind of writing on disability topics. Something to think about.

[Lindsay Johnson]

"Back to Front and Upside Down!" is a book about a student named Stan in school who is having trouble writing. His letters turn out "back to front and upside down" each time he tries to write his words. Stan is afraid to ask his teacher for help because he is afraid he will get laughed at. At recess, he starts crying, but his friend gives him the courage to ask his teacher for help. When Stan asked for help, he discovered that he wasn't the only one struggling with writing his letters. With lots of practice, Stan was able to correct his writing.

This book illustrates what is going on the story and even received the Schneider Family Book Award.

"Back to Front and Upside Down!" would be a great book to read in a classroom because it let's the students know that it is okay if they are struggling with their work, they just need to have the courage to ask the teacher for help if they need it and practice what they are struggling with.

This book has a reading level of 2.6.

[Angela Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title / Author / Publication Date:
Back to front and upside down! / Clarie Alexander. / 2012.

Genre: Fiction.

Format: Picturebook - print.

Plot summary:
"While the rest of the class makes birthday cards for the principal, Stanley struggles with his words and letters" (NoveList).

Considerations or precautions for readers advisory:
dyslexia, school children, asking for help

Review citation:
"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 in School Library Journal).

Section source used to find the material:
Children's Choices 2013: Beginning Readers K - 2

Recommended age: Ages 4 - 8.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the other books in the series, this book is all about the message. Its purpose is to teach children about an issue and how to respond. In this book, the mc cannot keep up with the other students during writing practice. It's about learning to ask for help and overcoming fear. It features characters from the other books, but focuses on new characters. The art is very cute and appealing. The over-emphasis on the issue is balanced out by the story.

[Stephanie Chiaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very sweet book about Stan, a puppy (I think) who has dyslexia. The book is set at school, where Mr. Slippers, the school principal, interrupts reading circle to announce that it is his birthday and that everyone is invited to his party. The class' teacher decides to have everyone write Mr. Slippers a birthday card. They all get started, but Stan is reluctant. He tries to write, but his letters come out as all back to front and upside down. He doesn't ask his teacher for any help. When the class goes out to recess, Stan's friend comes to see why Stan isn't playing. Stan told his friend he was sad because he couldn't write and Stan's friend convinces him to ask the teacher when they went back inside. Stan does and when he does, Mimi, a kitten, also admits to having trouble writing and needing help. They practiced "A LOT," and were finally able to write, right side up. Stan was excited to give Mr. Slippers his birthday card at his party, and Stan and Mimi now enjoy writing. The end.
I am in love with this book! First, I love how not once does the author mention dyslexia. She never mentions how the students actually have a diagnosis, which can be scary for young kids to find out they are diagnosed with something. It may make them feel like they are sick or that something is wrong with them. Second, I love how Stan is not the only who has dyslexia. It allows children to feel as though they are not alone, and for the author to have made the other child a different gender, so that children can relate to the characters, regardless of their gender, was an excellent move for the book. I love it! Third, when Stan decided to raise his hand and ask for help, nobody laughed, like he thought his classmates would. In fact, another classmate admitted to having the same problem. This is not a topic I have ever heard about being covered in a children's book. So many children are afraid to raise their hands, that they never do, and they never get the help they need until or unless the teacher notices in their work. Kids, so often hear their teachers say "don't be afraid to ask questions," but that's it. It's not very reassuring and to my knowledge, not many authors have ever covered this. And lastly, Dyslexia is not a topic often covered by children's book authors. Diversity is a common topic, but diversity in the sense of Dyslexia, is not often introduced in the form of children's books.
Excellent book! Will be reading this to my class.

[Holly Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the story there is a pup named Sam who is eager to write a birthday card for the school's principal; however, he struggles with completing the card when he hears his teacher say that, "the card say Happy Birthday." Stan looks around at his other classmates and sees that they are completing the card, while Stan wants to ask his teacher for help, yet initially decides not ask thinking he'll be made fun of. However, Stan shares his conflict with his classmate and, after they talk, gains the courage to ask Ms. Catnip, the teacher, for help, which in turn allows another classmate to know she can ask for help as well. The story is said to touch on dyslexia; however, I originally thought the book related to dysgraphia, as the story does not give a name to what Stan and his classmate were struggling with. Nevertheless, the story does necessarily need to do so as the act of speaking up and asking for help encouraged another student to do the same and the two, "with lots and lots and LOTS of practice," were able to start gaining momentum in improving their skills. The book utilizes wording that is geared towards younger audiences and appears to be meant to encourage one that we all need to ask for help and additionally, having the courage to ask for help may in turn help others gain the courage to ask for help as well.
The illustrations are largely double-paged spreads and appear to utilize watercolor in a layered manner. The drawings are not overly detailed; however, one can note the detail that lies within the illustrations as one observes the layering of color throughout the characters. The book overall appears to tackle the myth associated with asking for help and touches on the matter that change sometimes does not happen instantly.

[Abigail Veillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Slippers was the principal at Stan's school, and all of the students in Miss Catnip's class decided to make cards for his birthday. Stan's friends seemed to have no trouble writing kinds words and drawing fun pictures on their cards, but every time that he tried to write, his words came out back to front and upside down. As the time winds down, other students are finishing their cards, and Stan begins to feel the pressure. He thinks about asking for help from the teacher, but he's scared that the other students will laugh at him. With the help from a friend at recess, Stan finds the courage to ask Miss Catnip for assistance, and when he does, he finds out that there is another girl in class who is struggling too. The students work together with their teacher and practice writing with one another and they quickly overcome the obstacle they once faced.

I really did enjoy this sweet story and the wholesome friendships that Stan has with his classmates, but I do agree with some of the other reviewers who think that the resolution was reached a little too hastily. I would have liked the author to dig a bit deeper into the help that the students received and show the amount of work it takes to reach those resolutions. Overall, though, I really enjoyed this story. I was a big fan of the illustrations. They were so soft and simple, but they managed to capture so much emotion and expression. I would consider reading this with a class!

[Annah Neumire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claire Alexander does an excellent job depicting the real-life struggles students with dyslexia face. This heartwarming story highlights perseverance and the power of determination. It is sure to motivate students to find understanding and acceptance of a disability he/she may have. Stan, the main character, struggles with writing his letters; even when he is copying them from the board. As you can imagine, he becomes very discouraged because his peers do not seem to be struggling the same as him. Stand believed that if he asked for help, his classmates would laugh at him which is easy for many children to relate to. Stan eventually found the bravery inside him after talking with his friend at recess. Because of this newly found bravery, he decided to ask Ms. Catnip for help! Surprisingly, the teacher was able to help Stan see passed his struggles...of course with lots of practice!
This book is great in terms of teaching children determination and the will to never give up. It also helps them understand that it is normal, and okay, to ask for help from peers or teachers.

The illustrations are colorful, while the words are simplified which makes this book accessible to the young readers of the world. I believe the use of animals gives it the humor aspect that children tend to love when reading books.

I would definitely consider reading this book to my future students as it has the ability to open the floor to meaningful class conversations and realizations.

[Adrianna Hassell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable children's book with sweet illustrations that gently addresses the concept of dyslexia. There is a young boy who has a very hard time writing and feels very embarrassed because of it. Most of his letters end up being back to front and upside down or do not even look like letters at all. In this story, we learn that we all need to ask for help sometimes and that some of us need more time for certain things.

This sweet story about Stan is a great book to have in all classrooms, especially primary ones. Everyone would benefit from the beautiful themes this story entails. It also serves as a great mirror to many. We all have certain struggles and need to be reminded that we are not alone. Every needs help now and then and it is okay! It also works as a window for those who do not have a hard time with writing in particular. It will help them see that maybe they can be the helpful friend that Stan has. Jack was so nice to Stan and encouraged him to ask for help and that no one will make fun of him for needing help.

This book is one that I would highly recommend to all parents and teachers.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy Birthday to Mr. Slippers! The kids in Miss Catnips' class are all writing birthday cards to him. Stan is very excited to draw all types of pictures for his birthday cards, but is worried that he also needs to write words too! He is scared to ask for help because he's afraid of others judging him. It's so sweet how hard he's trying to do his best, and how sad he is at recess. When Jack sees his letters, he comforts him. This is a great example of a caring friendship, and gives readers a reminder that teachers are always there to help you! As the book says, we all need help sometimes! Turns out, Mimi needed help too! Practice makes perfect, and after lots of it, Stan and Mimi can write their letters the right way. It's adorable how proud Stan was of his work, and the book reminds the readers that asking for help more than once is okay too!
This book also reminds teachers that we are here to encourage and practice without students, and others will always be students or two who won't get something the second, third, or fourth time around! We are here to help, and to celebrate wins that are students feel.

[Tiffany Le · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Back to Front and Upside Down" follows a young student named Stan who struggles with learning how to write his letters and words correctly. Although he sees everyone else in the class writing away, his own words come out back to front and even upside down. Stan doesn't want to ask Miss Catnip for help, scared that everyone would laugh at him. This is until he consults with his friend and learns that it's normal to ask for assistance sometimes. The book is illustrated with colorful watercolor images that capture the difficulties when learning something new. It does well with conveying the emotions of the characters, particularly Stan's frustration and self-doubt. Young readers can relate to Stan with their own similar experiences and struggles when learning to write. It teaches children to embrace mistakes as a natural part of the learning process and to not be afraid to ask for help when needed. Through practicing and the help of Miss Catnip, his skills greatly improved to where he felt more confident and happy in his abilities. I really enjoyed this story and how it can be used to help young children overcome their fear of failure and learn to embrace challenges.

[Sunah Chung · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stan’s class wrote a birthday card to the principal Mr. Slipper's. The problem, however, was Stan could not write well and it made him feel discouraged and frustrated. With the help of a friend and the class teacher, he could have confidence in writing a letter.

The story was about confronting fears which are common issues in childhood. Stan was afraid of being laughed at by peers because he could not write a letter. His poor writing and fears were overcame by the help of his friends and the teacher who needs to support our children in real life classrooms. The illustrations were not exquisite but worked well enough in describing Stan’s feelings. The wide-spread page where Stan was on the right corner with a black background illustrated pretty well his frustrations and embarrassment about his writing capability. In addition to the message that “we all have to ask for help sometimes” (unpaged), it was essential to create a positive and friendly environment when asking for help, and this picture book portrayed an excellent example.

[Jordan Pierre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stan’s class wrote a birthday card to the principal Mr. Slipper's. The problem, however, was Stan could not write well and it made him feel discouraged and frustrated. With the help of a friend and the class teacher, he could have confidence in writing a letter.

The story was about confronting fears which are common issues in childhood. Stan was afraid of being laughed at by peers because he could not write a letter. His poor writing and fears were overcame by the help of his friends and the teacher who needs to support our children in real life classrooms. The illustrations were not exquisite but worked well enough in describing Stan’s feelings. The wide-spread page where Stan was on the right corner with a black background illustrated pretty well his frustrations and embarrassment about his writing capability. In addition to the message that “we all have to ask for help sometimes” (unpaged), it was essential to create a positive and friendly environment when asking for help, and this picture book portrayed an excellent example.

[Emma Detweiler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back to Front and Upside Down is about a young pup who overcomes his fears about writing in the classroom. Stan is excited when his teacher explains that their class is going to make birthday cards for Mr. Slippers. However, he panics when he realizes that he must write in his card along with his drawings. Stan goes through emotions of panic, fear, embarrassment, and sadness as he wonders what he will do about his problem. He decides that he cannot tell anyone or ask for help because his classmates will make fun of him. However, he quickly learns that it is okay to ask for help and that everybody needs help sometimes. I thought this book was going to cover a specific disability, however, I liked that it focused more on the importance of asking for help. Using animals as the main characters is useful for younger students, but it takes away from much needed diversity in children's literature. I enjoyed this book and still think it would be useful for younger children who struggle with asking for help and feeling embarrassed.

[Lynne Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: Stan is writing a birthday card to his principal for his birthday, but he is having trouble writing. His letters are all wonky and don't even look like letters. Stan is scared to ask his teacher for help when he sees all the other students writing just fine. He thinks he is going to be made fun of. At recess on of his friends, Jack, sees him crying and encourages him to ask for help. When Stan does ask Mrs, Catnip for help, another voice asks for help too. Both Stan and Mimi needed help all along and Mrs, Catnip was able to teach them how to correctly write their letters so they could write the card for the birthday party. They practiced a lot and the principal ended up really enjoying his cards.
Reflection: I think this is a great book to introduce the struggle of writing for some children at a very young age. Students might have dyslexia, which is hinted in the book, or they might just struggle writing. Either way, this book emphasizes the need for students to ask teachers when they need help. It was very cute and written in a very easy to understand way. However, while it dose say it take A LOT of practice for the students to get better at writing, it only took them a day since the party was that afternoon. For some students, it takes months to be able to correctly write a letter so this was cut a little short.
Teaching Idea: I think a fun activity to do with this book would be to actually do the writing activities that the book shows Mrs. Catnip teaching Stan and Mimi. They paint, draw in the sand, and model the letters using clay or foam. These are fun activities to do that will help students who struggle with writing and will also reinforce students who don't struggle.

[Autumn Kopesky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary:
It is Mr. Slippers birthday, and the students all decided that they wanted to each make him a card. As the students are getting prepared to draw their teacher reminds them that they need to make sure they write "happy birthday." Stan begins to get really nervous as he looks around and sees everyone writing. He then tells his teacher he is having trouble writing so he practices till he is able to write.
Evaluation:
This was a good book for students who have difficulties in any subject area to ask for help. I think it is important to have something to be able to relate to, and this book is something students who are struggling can learn from.
Teaching Point:
That it is okay to ask for help. Through this book Stan realized he can ask, and he will receive the help he needs. Having students think about a time they were struggling with something but they were too embarrassed to ask for help, then have them think "what if I did ask?"

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe this book is good for young elementary students how ever it does not have a good representation of ethnicity. The book uses animals instead of people which is why it is a good book for very young kids. The book has an amazing message that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. In this book one student struggles with writing when all the other students can write with no problem. One of the characters in the book made Stan realize that everyone has to ask for help sometimes. Stan finally asked his teacher for help and another student spoke up and said she needed help too. After lots of practice write more and more of there letters can out the right way. I feel this book is important for children to hear that they feel comfortable asking for help even if no one else needs help. You might be good at somethings and you might need practice with other things. This book has a good example of a window for students who can relate to struggling with reading or write.

[Lindsay Caton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story that I think a lot of younger kids can relate to. Stan and his classmates are asked to write birthday cards for the principal of their school, but stan is struggling. His letters just won't come out how he wants them too. Stan is too nervous to ask his teacher for help because he is afraid he will be laughed at. With a little pep talk from his buddy, Stan asks for help and finds out that another one of his classmates is also struggling with their writing. So, after some practice with the teacher Stan and his classmates letters start to come out how they want to, and no one laughed at them for asking for help.
I think this is a great story to read to to young children who are getting ready to start school, or who may be a little shy. Children sometimes need to be reminded that their teachers are there and help and asking for that help does not need to be scary. This one is one I will have in my future classroom for sure.

[Dana Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that discusses an important topic. Though it is not specifically stated, it seems that the main character Stan has a writing disability, possibly dysgraphia. When he tries to write his letters come out back to front and upside down unlike everyone else's writing. Sometimes, like Stan, children are ashamed when they cannot write like other students. Children obviously don't understand they they may have a disability and cannot help it, but this book does a great job at teaching the lesson that it is okay. In the end, Stan learns that it is okay to ask for help and with hard work and dedication, he slowly becomes a better writer. This book can be very beneficial for children, especially if they are struggling in school. Overall, it is a great book that teaches important lessons.

[Maddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grade: Kindergarten and First Grade

Summary: A puppy named Stan has trouble writing and finally gets the courage to ask for help. In the end he learns to work hard to achieve his goals.

Review: This is a cute story that teaches children that it's okay to ask for help. Teachers are there for you when you need a little extra help. I enjoy the adorable characters and style of writing.

As a class I would brain storm with my student, things that are challenging in school. I would create a list on the board with them so they can visually see that everyone struggles with some thing.
Another activity would be part of a writing center. I would have different tools to foster writing skills like the ones pictured in the story and have my class use to tools to support their writing techniques.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a great book to reach students in the lower elementary grades because that is typically when children are diagnosed with learning disabilities such as dyslexia. This book teaches children that it is okay to ask for help. Sometimes you are not the only one who needs help; you just happen to be the first to ask for it. Miss Catnip's class is given the task of creating birthday cards for the principal of the school. One student named Stan is excelling at the drawing part but struggling with writing a birthday message. No matter how hard he tried, it just was not coming out the way he wanted it to. His message looked nothing like Miss Catnip's example on the board. Stan decided to ask for help, and he was surprised to learn that he is not the only student in his class who is struggling. 

[Abby Hargreaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Samantha Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to read to students to teach about disabilities. Stan has dyslexia and struggles to write. Many children with dyslexia struggle with asking for help because they also fear their question will be considered "dumd" and the class will laugh at them. This book teaches you that everyone needs help sometimes, and that's perfectly ok. I also believe another underlying point in the book, is to believe in yourself. Believing in yourself can make all the difference! I enjoyed the illistrations, they were bright and connected with the mood of the book. When stan becomes anxious because he wrote Happy Birthday backward the illistrations show him alone in a dark room. Showing he feels alone and scared.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Back to Front and Upside Down" by Claire Alexander is a adorably sweet book about a young character who has difficulty writing letters and words. He is embarrassed and fearful that his classmates and teacher will make fun of him or laugh at his difficulty, until his friend tells him he should ask the teacher for help. When he does so, he finds that no one is laughing at his struggles, in fact, he finds that another student also has the same issue as him. This book is a good introduction to the difficulties children can face when contending with dyslexia or another issue that creates problems with reading or writing. This shows the importance of asking for help and how it can even aid other students who may not have been brave enough to ask for assistance.