Experts say that five to 10 percent of preschoolers and 25 percent of school-aged children have vision problems. So, for many children, glasses are a part of their daily lives. Arlo is an active dog and a trusty companion who begins having difficulty playing catch. His boy takes him to the eye doctor where they discover that Arlo needs glasses. The reader will be captivated by this interactive book with moveable parts and try-on glasses. Most importantly, Arlo Needs Glasses frames this experience in a positive light. Glasses help us to see and to do the things we love. The words on the back cover sum it up: “Glasses rock!”
Before, During and After Reading
Oral Language
Introduce the book. Read the title and the author’s name, sweeping your finger under the words as you read them. Take time to look at and read the front and back covers. Connect this story to your child’s life by talking about family members and friends who wear glasses. Give a brief explanation of why some people need glasses.
Oral Language
Explore the interactive features, the changes in text, and the illustrations. This book has many interactive parts. Encourage your child to use them gently. The text is sometimes written in different sizes and shapes. Change your voice as you read to bring excitement to words like “CATCH!” and “whizzed.” Explore the detailed illustrations with your child. You might ask your child to describe how the boy was feeling when Arlo was having vision problems.
Letter Knowledge
Track the print. Sweep your finger under the words as you read them.
Ask your child to find the word. On the page with the try-on glasses, the word glasses appears three times and it appears again on the following page. Touch and say the word glasses. Ask your child, “What is the first letter of the word glasses?” Then, ask your child to find the word glasses on the following page.
Oral Language
Use picture clues to find the answer. Before you read the last page, ask your child, “What do you think Arlo loves to do?” Encourage your child to use the illustration for clues. Read the last sentence, and have your child repeat it with you.
Oral Language
Read it again if your child asks! Interactive stories are often too fun to read just once in a sitting! Don’t be surprised if your child wants you to read Arlo Needs Glasses again right away!
Phonological Awareness
Play a rhyming game. Arlo and his boy loved to play catch. You and your child can play catch in a way that exercises rhyming skills (and adds physical activity)! Indoors or outdoors, toss a ball or small beanbag to your child while you say a word (choose a simple word that has a few rhymes). Then, have your child toss the beanbag back to you and say a word that rhymes. You might toss the beanbag and say, “eye!” Your child can toss the beanbag back to you and say, “fly!” Help your child with rhymes, if needed. It’s okay if someone drops the beanbag – there are no penalties!
Beginning Writing
Ask your child to draw a picture of your family pet or another animal wearing glasses. He can make the glasses very unique, like the pairs that are in the book! Encourage your child to label his pictures by writing the name of the animal and writing the word glasses. Do not worry about correct spelling or letter formation. Accept any and all attempts your child makes to convey a message.
