Arlo Needs Glasses by Barry Saltzberg (Workman Publishing, 2012)
This inventive and interactive picture book is more than just about a boy who discovers his dog needs glasses and they fit him for the perfect pair. It’s about celebrating individuality and uniqueness and not being afraid to be different. Stand out. Be YOU!
Kids will love trying on the movie star, superhero, mad scientist, or “Arlo” glasses that are inside the book. They’ll love Arlo and his willingness to embrace his new look and get back to doing what he loves to do best and that’s play catch.
In fact wearing glasses allows Arlo to discover there’s something he likes even more than playing catch — he loves to read.
I wish there had been a book like this when I was a child. I didn’t need glasses then (reading glasses now) but I would’ve had fun trying on the cardboard creations in this zany book, reading the story again and again, and engaging with the interactive features. For ages 3 and up.
This week, I’ll be meeting author/illustrator Barney Saltzberg as he’s in town for the 2012 Texas Book Festival and good friend Marika Flatt, owner of Pr by the Book, and I will be his chauffeur this Friday evening as we attend the Texas Book Festival Children’s Author, Illustrator and Moderator Welcome Party at The Writing Barn, a book lover’s haven created by author friend Bethany Hegedus. Barney will be on the Lines that Make you Laugh panel with fellow Austin author Philip Yates, Rob Scotton and Tad Hills and the details are HERE. See you there! Check out the book trailer — it’s fabulous!