Carla's Glasses

by Debbie Herman, Sheila Bailey (Illustrator)

Overview

Carla loves to be different. So when her teacher announces an upcoming vision screening, Carla hopes she’ll be the only kid in class to need glasses. To prepare for her new look, she starts wearing homemade funky frames to school each day. 

Turns out that the only one who needs glasses is Buster. But unlike Carla, Buster does NOT like to be different. He likes to blend in. When Carla concocts an ingenious plan to help Buster, it’s clear to see that the power of friendship – and Carla’s creativity – will save the day. 

This long-awaited companion to the award-winning Carla’s Sandwich will be adored by kids with or without glasses.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781947277717
Publisher:	Flashlight Press
Publication date:	09/03/2024
Series:	Carla
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	10.25(w) x 10.25(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD560L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 7 Years

About the Author

Debbie Herman is the author of Carla’s Glasses, Carla’s Sandwich, and other books for children. She’s a full-time writer and editor, and a former elementary school teacher with an M.A. in Special Education. Like Carla, Debbie is a fan of funky frames. Visit her at debbieherman.com.

Sheila Bailey is the illustrator of Carla’s Glasses, Carla’s Sandwich, and many other children’s books. She is a firefighter on Sauvie Island near Portland, OR, where she lives with her daughter. Sheila’s 19 pairs of reading glasses are strewn all over her home. Once she forgot to bring her reading glasses to a fire call and had to write up the incident report in huge letters because she could not see what she was doing.

Editorial Reviews

"Carla’s Glasses has quickly become a favourite in our house, and our daughter has requested to read it again, and again... and again!"—Crystal Cahill, elementary library teacher

Praise for Carla's Glasses, companion book to the award-winning Carla's Sandwich:

"Bailey’s watercolor and digital illustrations are colorful and expressive, and include lots of details for children to pore over…. could be especially useful for parents helping their child navigate wearing glasses for the first time." — Kadie Seitz, writer for the School Library Journal

"This uplifting, reassuring story is about warm friendship and about being seen—literally—and accepted for who you are. Carla’s a supportive, creative pal, and this story should boost the esteem of kids nervous about getting their first pair of glasses."— Kirkus Reviews

"…will be especially appreciated by kids who are experiencing stress by having to wear glasses -- and to the benefit of those who don't. A unique and unreservedly recommended pick for family, elementary school, and community library Life Skills/Life Issues picture book collections..." — Children's Bookwatch, Midwest Book Review

"…this warm and entertaining picture book is about the difference between being a person who wants to stand out, and one who hopes to blend in… Debbie Herman is sensitive to the way children feel, but doesn’t overwhelm them with overbearing empathy." — Emily Schneider, blogger on Imaginary Elevators 

"I love that it makes ‘being different’ and ‘wearing glasses’ cool! I love that it is a story about kindness and acceptance and about how to be a good friend…. this book teaches children how to be that friend." — Christa McGrath, Editor, Edwards Book Club Reviews

"This amazing story shows how friends have the power to ease someone’s discomfort of being different with a creative solution. A must-read for those with or without glasses, especially with school starting!"—Heather Best and Dolly, Educator and her reading therapy dog

"t’s so uncommon to find a book that perfectly captures both exuberance and empathy as well as Carla’s Glasses does! …. Truly, this is a phenomenal kids’ book and one that should be in every library." —Doreen Sheridan, book critic from The Frumious Consortium

"What makes Carla’s story so cool is that even though she doesn’t get her heart’s desire, she’s still able to step into her friend’s story and help him look and feel not so noticeably alone. Now that’s a visionary friend!" —Barbara Gruener, The Corner on Character, Speaker, Educator, Author, Coach

"A fun sequel to Carla’s Sandwich, this is a wonderful, thought-provoking book celebrating friendship and individuality, which could help kids getting glasses for the first time…. a spectacular book celebrating friendship and encouraging being ourselves and seeing and accepting others as they are." —Maria Marshall, The Picture Book Buzz

"Debbie Herman cleverly tells a story that teachers children numerous lessons without sounding preachy, they will learn that there is no issue with wearing glasses, it’s ok to be different, being kind to others is important and being true to yourself is also ok." —The Strawberry Fountain

"What I like about this book is it shows how important it is for everyone to celebrate who they are and how everyone is different, and how that’s a wonderful, wonderful thing." —Nicola Coughlan, Irish actress

From the Publisher

2024-05-31
To see or not to see.

Carla’s thrilled that Vision Screening Day’s approaching. She hopes she’ll need glasses because no one else in class wears them. Her friend Buster scoffs, “You like to be different.” Next day, Carla’s wearing self-made purple pipe-cleaner frames. She tells Buster she wants to see what styles and colors will flatter her when she gets real glasses. Every day thereafter, Carla sports different frames she’s designed and constructed. She’s excited on Vision Screening Day, but the final verdict’s disappointing: Carla doesn’t need glasses, but Buster apparently does, a conclusion that’s confirmed by an eye exam at the optometrist’s. Supportive Carla accompanies Buster and his dad there and helps Buster select his eyewear. Buster confesses that he doesn’t enjoy being different: His new glasses will make him stand out when what he wants is to blend in. Carla hatches a plan and gets crafting. Next day, she colludes with her teacher and classmates. When Buster arrives, everyone’s wearing Carla-fashioned glasses to welcome him; he doesn’t stand out after all. This uplifting, reassuring story is about warm friendship and about being seen—literally—and accepted for who you are. Carla’s a supportive, creative pal, and this story should boost the esteem of kids nervous about getting their first pair of glasses. The high-spirited illustrations were created with a combination of watercolor and digital media. Carla and Buster are pale-skinned; their class is racially diverse.

An insightful, thought-provoking story.(Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews