The principal of the school, Mr. Slippers, announces that it is his birthday and he is going to have a party in the afternoon. Mrs. Catnip, the teacher, suggests they all make birthday cards. Stan is very excited; his head is full of ideas. But when it comes down to printing the words on paper, he gets stuck and cannot do it. Although he wants to ask his teacher for help, he doesn't because he's afraid everyone will laugh at him. A friend straighten him out on that fear.
This is an important teaching for children who are raised in a culture that lionizes independent individualists who never ask anyone for help. Hats off to Claire Alexander, the writer and illustrator, who makes it clear to kids from 4 to 7 years of age that everyone needs help at one time or another.
