Stuttering Stan Takes a Stand

by Artie Knapp

Teased and bullied about his stuttering, Stanley the squirrel refuses to let on that his feelings are being hurt, until one day he learns an important lesson from a new friend. (For ages 6-10. Easy reader with spot illustrations)

Click on this link to view Stuttering Stan Takes a Stand as a free flash-animated storybook. The Paperback edition may be purchased at Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, and other fine retail outlets.

Reviews and Awards

The flash-animated version of Stuttering Stan Takes a Stand from MightyBook Inc. was jointly awarded the Speechwoman’s Speech-Language Pathology “Site of the Month” award for January 2011... Top 5 Kids Books picks Stuttering Stan Takes a Stand as a book of the week! (Jan 2010)

Stuttering Stan Takes a Stand was awarded the Stop, Think, & Speak Award, which was created and nominated for by students at Penn State University.

Mr. Knapp writes a wonderful tale of friendship, building self-esteem and the understanding of others with disabilities. This children’s book is about a squirrel who stutters and how his disability affects his life and those around him. Stuttering Stan learns that friendship, understanding and self-respect are important for everyone. This book should be read by all children and adults alike to reaffirm those important life lessons that Stan’s story brings to the forefront.

— Tammy Flores, Executive Director
National Stuttering Association

As one who stuttered and was teased throughout childhood, I read this elegantly illustrated story with great interest and anticipation. From the beginning, I identified with Stanley, the stuttering squirrel, as he encountered cruelty because of his speech. Knapp deftly shows Stanley’s ambivalence and hurt. The power of the tale, however, lies in Knapp’s bringing all the friends together during a scene of self-discovery, kindness, and forgiveness. This story will give courage to children who stutter, and it will help those who do not stutter become more understanding and empathetic.

— Bill Maxwell, Editorial Writer/Columnist
St. Petersburg (Florida) Times

Children who stutter often bear the emotional burden of being targets for undeserved teasing and bullying. Stuttering Stan is such a gift to those children as well as to any child who is teased. It gives them an empowered model for handling those bullies! Thank you for this book, Mr. Knapp.

— Catherine S. Montgomery, Executive Director
American Institute for Stuttering

Mr. Knapp has written a touching story about friendships, respect, courage and compassion. A must read for every child especially those who stutter. This exquisitely illustrated story shows how being a friend can make others feel good about themselves. Every child is special in their own way and like many of Artie Knapp’s other stories, this humorous tale shows that you can do anything if you believe in yourself.

— Kristin Garrison, Newspapers in Education Manager
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Artie Knapp’s knack for identifying the things that worry children shines in Stuttering Stan Takes a Stand. His characters, displayed in especially lovely illustrations, and their interactions, are those young children will recognize from their experiences on playgrounds and in their classrooms. Embedded in this appealing story are important messages about human kindness and acceptance of challenges. This is a book I will be recommending to educators everywhere.

— Kathleen Carpenter, Editor, Teachers.Net Gazette