Terry Perkins is a normal, happy little boy, until he starts to speak, and his words come out upside down. A doctor has the answer – stand Terry on his head. People can understand him now, but it makes Terry a laughing stock at school and the other children are so mean to him he daydreams of living in space, alone. It’s only when he makes a new friend that Terry’s upside down frown is turned into a smile. Any child who’s ever felt left out or excluded will understand this picture book and it will have a special resonance for children who stammer, are learning to speak a new language or struggle with dyslexia. The stylised stick-figure illustrations suit the story perfectly and this funny undeniably quirky book will give readers a different view of the world. ~ Andrea Reece
Young Terry Perkins cannot make himself understood. His words come out upside down and it makes him sad. It makes him frown. Unhappy that her son is unhappy, his mother takes him to a doctor who simply turns young Terry on his head. This quick fix solves the speech problem, but creates a brand new one – Terry’s whole life has literally been turned upside down! Now, although it looks as if his frown has turned into a smile, he feels isolated, bullied and more unhappy that ever.
Terry dreams longingly of a happier life in outer space, where there is no right way up or upside down. When he’s lowest of the lows he meets a friend who likes him as he is - and together they find out that life can be brilliant when seen from a different point-of-view! The fun begins and Terry’s frown finally turns into a real smile!
A quirky story, told in humorous rhyming verse, about learning to be happy in yourself and the value of friendship. Themes running througout the texts will directly appeal to any child that has experienced standing out from the crowd or has suffered from dyslexia.
‘Quirky debut about a boy whose words come out upside-down, which will resonate with children who have problems fitting in, or with speech and language. Massie’s background is in animation, which is evident in the strong graphic style'. Fiona Noble, The Bookseller
Author
About Felix Massie
Felix Massie is a London-based animator who won the audience award at the New York International Film Festival, as well as the equivalent festival in the UK, LIAF. This is his first book.
