best children's books about glasses and eye issues
My family and I keep opticians in business. We really do! I've been a regular since I was fitted for my glasses for short sight at around the age of 8/9. My myopia is progressive which means that my eye sight has been getting worse and worse with every passing year. At this point, I am now -10 in both eyes.
"I can't see the words on the blackboard anymore!"
While my family members were frequent flyers at the opticians we all hoped that somehow I would miss this particular flight. Alas, that was not meant to be and I soon joined my family as a regular eye test member. I started to not be able to see the blackboard at school. The text started to go blurry and looked like squiggly wiggly white worms. It was time to get some glasses.
Going to the opticians can be scary. There are lots of equipment used by opticians to test your eyes and in many cases the light is turned completely off in the examination room so only a small focused light can be seen.
I'm Spectacular
Since my first pair of glasses - a light blue metal framed variety, I have gone through about 10 different pairs of glasses. I had a great red Disney pair, narrow metal framed pair, tortoise shell pair, solid black frame and so many other shapes and colours.
I have been lucky that even though my sight prescription has changed, I've been able to re-use the frames. Though I did break a pair once and have to pay about £400 for a new frame!
But I credit a certain little children's book for giving me the information about my myopia and explaining the process about getting glasses to me. So let's take a look at these books!*
*Please note that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
"The Little Bear with magic glasses"
This book by Bulgarian writer, Dimiter Inkiow was published in the 80s and is now out of print.
However, it is my favourite book about needing glasses and it follows a little bear on a sight journey - much like my own!
"Peppa's First Glasses"
I love that Peppa has a trip to the opticians and learns about an eye test. Colourful, fun and easy to read with children, it has great images of what an opticians looks like so can also be a good discussion point about what might be found at the eye clinic.
An eye test chart is seen very clearly in this book!
Ages 3-6
"I really absolutely must have glasses"
Charlie and Lola are such fab characters and it starts with them introducing the concept of going to the opticians for an eye test. Funny and show cases glasses for children in a great way.
The question is - does Lola need glasses?
Ages 3-7
"Arlo Needs Glasses"
I love books with creature protagonists and Arlo is the cutest. This book is by Barney Saltzberg and in a few pages explains sight issues and the opticians really well!
Arlo fails to catch so is taken to the opticians and then fitted with glasses!
Good work Arlo!
Ages 4-6
"We Love our Glasses"
This book, written by Stephanie Lipsey-Liu covers a lot of eye issues and conditions explaining why a child might need glasses. I loved this book because Stephanie, who is an optician, has really made the eye conditions clear and easy to understand for children (and adults as well!)
Ages 3-12
For parents and primary care givers of children that have eye issues and/or need glasses, I encourage you to discover the wonderful world of books about wearing glasses and eye tests. It is a great introduction to the opticians and eye test environment.
Eye health is really important for any age.
In the UK eye tests for children are free up until the age of 16 and/or 19 should they be in full time education.
Glasses are visual aids so that I can see
Remember I paid a lot of money to see you
