Glamorous Glasses

by Barbara Johansen Newman

Overview

Bobbie and Joanie are best friends and best cousins, and they do everything together. So when Joanie has to get glasses, Bobbie figures she'll get them, too—especially once she discovers the fabulous frames on display at the eyeglasses store. Meanwhile, Joanie has the opposite reaction. Glasses make her feel different and look different. And they're uncomfortable. So the ever-resourceful Bobbie comes up with a perfect plan to make both of them happy. Illustrations full of rich, comical details enhance this story about friendship and a classic childhood experience.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781590788783
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	09/01/2012
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.20(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	510L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Barbara Johansen Newman was a puppeteer, puppet maker, and fiber sculptor before turning to illustration and textile design. Her artwork has appeared in magazines, newspapers, and advertising, and she has illustrated over twenty children's books, including Tex and Sugar, which she also wrote. She and her family live outside Boston, and in her spare time she enjoys hunting online and in antique shops for vintage treasures, especially new additions to her collection of glamorous glasses. You can visit her website at johansennewman.com.

Editorial Reviews

"Charming, positive and replete with kidlike observations and gentle humor, this tale of friendship will offer encouragement to any child who needs help adjusting to glasses and will discourage teasing before it starts. A nice choice for home or school reading. Glamorous glasses for everyone!" —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

Gr 1–3—An endearing story of friendship and growing pains. Joanie and Bobbie are cousins and best friends. When Joanie needs to get glasses, Bobbie is right by her side, and a little envious of her cousin's new fashion accessory. Joanie is not quite as excited by the idea of specs; in fact, she feels downright different. Bobbie tries everything to get her own pair of glasses, but to no avail. One day, while out shopping, Bobbie comes up with a great scheme-she and Joanie can switch glamorous purse for glamorous glasses. Unfortunately, as expected, a bit of chaos ensues, resulting in the revelation that Joanie's glasses really do serve a purpose. In the sweet ending the girls find a fabulous purse and some lensless glasses at a yard sale. The cartoonlike illustrations are exuberant, helping to keep the story moving.—Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh, PA

School Library Journal

Who wouldn't want a pair of chic new frames? When Bobbie accompanies her cousin and best friend Joanie to buy a pair of glasses, Bobbie finds the most perfect, most glamorous pair ever. Unfortunately, she doesn't need glasses. Joanie unwillingly chooses a pair, and the girls leave, but Bobbie just can't forget about the ones she saw. Brightly colored mixed-media illustrations show a dizzying plethora of glamorous glasses, and it's easy to see why Bobbie would like a pair. In fact, she starts noticing glamorous glasses everywhere she looks! Struck by inspiration, Bobbie starts missing the ball in gym and claims to be unable to see the board, which results in a visit to a very sharp-eyed eye doctor. Foiled, Bobbie talks Joanie into loaning her her glasses while their mothers are shopping, but after a series of mishaps, both girls realize that it's better to stick with what they've got. Will Bobbie ever be able to wear glasses? A yard sale just might hold the solution. Charming, positive and replete with kidlike observations and gentle humor, this tale of friendship will offer encouragement to any child who needs help adjusting to glasses and will discourage teasing before it starts. A nice choice for home or school reading. Glamorous glasses for everyone! (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews