Arlo Needs Glasses, by Barney Saltzberg. Workman Publishing, Thomas Allen & Son. 2012. $18.95 ages 3 and up

"But one day, Arlo couldn't
catch anymore.
Every time I threw the ball...
...it flew
...or zoomed
...or whizzed
...or bopped him on the nose!"

Parents of young children and optometrists are going to love this book! There was a time when I thought glasses would be amazing...I think I was 11 and considered that sophistication would be mine the minute I put them on! Not so much, now that I have been wearing them for fifteen years.

Barney Saltzberg wears glasses and he thinks it's kinda cool. So, his new book reflects the joy that can come from getting glasses. There is so much to consider while choosing what will frame the face and scream stylin' to the rest of the world.

Arlo is the dog everyone wishes they had. He's shaggy, joyful, and always up for a game of catch. Until those days when he loses his ability to see the ball coming. He just can't do it anymore. Off they go to the eye doctor. Yep, he needs help.

Not only does Barney Saltzberg help children visiting an optometrist understand the process; he makes it great fun. The eye chart is shown as the boy sees it, then as Arlo sees it. A phoropter helps the child reader know what is going to happen during an eye examination...and it is incredibly effective!

Then comes the fun part...does Arlo want to look like a movie star? There are frames for that. How about a superhero? Yep! It takes some searching but a 'perfect pair' is found and catch becomes a shared pasttime once again. The surprise ending is the best part of all...now, you will have to go out and get a copy for your family, your classromm, your optometrist. I know that mine will be delighted when I visit with him later in the month.