The principal of Stans school is having a birthday, and Miss Catnip, Stans 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 pictureuntil he learns that Miss Catnip expects everyone to write a greeting as well. Writing is definitely not Stans strong suit: [H]is letters came out back to front and upside down, and some didnt look like letters at all! I cant do this! Stan thought. When Stan hits rock bottomEven his name was coming out in a muddlehe becomes a tiny, disconsolate figure at his desk (his legs dont 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. Its 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 47. (Aug.) 2012 Reed Business Information