Douglas, You Need Glasses!

Douglas the Dog #1

by Ged Adamson

Meet Douglas! He's a dog who needs eyeglasses but doesn’t know it, and his bad eyesight tends to land him in some pretty hairy situations.
 
Readers will laugh along with the new picture book character Douglas as he chases a leaf that he mistakes for a squirrel, walks through wet cement because he can’t see the warning sign, and annoys the neighbor’s dog by mistakenly eating out of his bowl. And when Douglas’s owner Nancy finally takes him to what is clearly an eyeglass store and Douglas asks, “Why are you taking me to a shoe store?” everyone will be giggling.
 
After an eye exam confirms that Douglas needs glasses, and Nancy helps him find the perfect pair, readers will rejoice with Douglas as he sees all the amazing things he’s been missing!
 
Both kids and parents will laugh out loud—and may even recognize themselves!—while reading this utterly irresistible, hilarious picture book.

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Childrens, Humor, Storytime, Animals, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 17, 2016

About the author

Ged Adamson is a British picture-book author and artist. He has worked as a cartoonist, a storyboard artist, and a composer for television and film. He grew up in Liverpool and now lives in London with his partner, Helen, and their son, Rex.

Reviews

[Chance Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost cleaned my own glasses after looking at the cover. Nice story normalizing a visit to the optometrist although they really should have put in that machine that blows in your eye because that's some fucking trauma.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Douglas the dog had always been nearsighted, mistaking leaves for squirrels, missing important signs, and sometimes even ending up at the wrong house! But when his poor vision leads to serious trouble, in the form of a beehive that he mistakes for a toy to be fetched, his human, Nancy, decides to take him to the eye doctor. Douglas, it transpires, needs glasses, and this helpful eye-wear makes all the difference in his ability to interact with the world around him...

A humorous and heartwarming look at a common childhood experience - poor eyesight and the need for corrective eye-wear - Douglas, You Need Glasses! pairs an engaging story about a dog and his girl with amusing illustrations, done in pencil and watercolor. I particularly liked the way that author/illustrator Ged Adamson made certain visual elements blurry - the title on the front cover, the background in the scene in which Douglas first looks at the world through his new glasses - reflecting how Douglas would see the world. I also appreciated the page of photographs of real children wearing their glasses, included at the rear. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories addressing the need for glasses, as well as to anyone who just appreciates humorous tales of children and their canine companions.

[Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 6yo just got glasses and I read this to him and his 4yo brother tonight and they loved it, especially when Douglas the dog gets his eyes tested and can’t for the life of him identify the symbols the eye doctor is showing him, which results in some pretty hilarious guesses. The back page has a whole bunch of pictures of real kids wearing their glasses, to my own kids’ great delight. Just a charming and silly picture book with great pro-glasses vibes.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

For someone who wore glasses from a very young age and whose son also wore glasses very young, this book is wonderful. I love that the character who needs the glasses is a dog. The story and illustrations are terrific.

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already heard about this book several times, so imagine my delight when I got a mail about this blog tour. Yep, I book shimmied, I fangirled, I squealed. This book just looked so much fun, and I was delighted that I was picked to be featured on the blog tour with a review!

Because of my vacation I was a bit busy, but I found a time and spot to relax and read this one, and boy, I loved it.

I normally am not a big fan of dogs who can talk (even if it is a few words), especially in a book that doesn’t really feature magic, or worlds with only animals, but I do have to say that I liked the fact that Douglas did it. It made that last scene even more awesome, gave it way more impact, and I have to confess I did cry a few tears because I was so happy. Not only for Douglas, but also for Nancy, and everyone else.

Douglas was a great character, though I had a laugh because of how near-sighted he was. Sorry if that sounds mean, but it was just too funny to see him talk to a coat/hat/shoes because he thought it was his owner, or that he would just chase a leaf thinking it was a squirrel. He even turned up at someone else’s house and ate the dog’s food there because he thought he was at home. Of course I also felt sorry for Douglas, he didn’t even notice that he wasn’t doing the right things.

He must be really happy, and he should feel lucky, with such an owner as Nancy. Who already knew Douglas wasn’t seeing much, but when things really started to escalate knew she had to do something. And she did the sweetest thing she could have done, she brought Douglas to a store to have his eyes checked (and I just laughed so much at what Douglas saw in those images, dinosaurs, oh my!).

The story was really heartwarming, and with each passing page you will love the characters more and more (or at least I did).

The art is absolutely gorgeous and I just couldn’t stop looking at the pages. The colours fitted with the story (and also the seasons that were taking place at the moment) perfectly.

All in all, this is one book I would really highly recommend. I can imagine it would be a good read for kids who need glasses but don’t want them. To show them what wonderful experience it will be.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

As soon as I heard about this book I just knew it was one my daughter and I had to read. It's been a while since we last reviewed a children's book together and Douglas, You Need Glasses! was definitely the perfect choice.Douglas is a dog. He's near sighted. He chases leaves instead of squirrels. And he's always mistaking animals like cats for crabs. It's safe to say Douglas's eye's really get him mixed up. So the only option for his owner - Nancy, is for her to take him to the eye doctors for some glasses.

Douglas, You Need Glasses! is an enjoyable read for the whole family to enjoy time and time again. It's the right length of a story so your little ones can't get distracted and it also provides some very detailed and funny illustrations to keep them entertained. It also offers some real life events that may even help your little if they are in the same situation as Douglas. I'm definitely going to have to buy a hard copy of this book for my daughter so she can take it into school for story time.

Thank you to Geb Adamson & Kate Ormand for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sara Grochowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, how I love this book! As one of the many members of my family who wears glasses, this book fits right in at my house. I would have loved share Douglas's story with my little sister when she was younger and insecure about wearing glasses.

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Douglas! He really does need glasses!

[Jennifer (JenIsNotaBookSnob) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for most children, but, an excellent book if you have a child who needs glasses. Douglas is a little dog who starts mistaking falling leaves for squirrels and ends up getting glasses. This book also features a bunch of photos of regular kids in glasses.
This book avoids a lot of pitfalls common to the subject. When I was a kid getting my first glasses, all the books were about other kids getting mercilessly teased for wearing glasses. Not exactly encouraging!
This book just has the positives, all the details Douglas can see with his new glasses and so on.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique and intriguing color palette. Simple story - perfect for young children who may have eye trouble and need glasses themselves. Douglas chases squirrels (or tries to) like my dog, so added bonus.

[Samantha Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me laugh so hard. I can definitely relate to not being able to see something when I choose not to wear my glasses. :) Sweet book that encourages kids that glasses are okay and help you see!

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, Douglas. I can relate to you! I especially liked the "before" and "after" images when Douglas put on his new glasses and everything stopped being a swirl of color.

[Kambrie Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

We got this from the library 2 days ago, and I have read this to my four year old brother who just got glasses at least 10 times. I'm not even exaggerating. I think it is safe to say he likes it! He especially loved the part about the shoe store.

[Brenda Conry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this while waiting for Doug to pick out new frames. How appropriate.

[Mackenzie Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love all the pictures at the end of real kids with glasses!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nancy and her dog Douglas enjoy playing in the woods, but as it becomes clear that his nearsightedness is causing problems, she takes him to the eye doctor. Readers will be amused by the dog's inability to identify anything on the eye chart and the many choices he has in trying to find the right frame. As anyone who has worn a pair of glasses for the very first time will attest, everything looks completely different once you have a way to improve your vision. The funny text and the illustrations, created with pencil and watercolor, provide a reassuring message to anyone facing his/her first visit to the optometrist. While many may regard glasses as a detriment to their looks, in Douglas's case, they enhance his debonair ways. The inclusion of two pages of youngsters wearing glasses at the end of the book offers encouragement to show off their own new glasses at #douglasyouneedglasses. The story is amusing and also reassuring.

[Katie Zebrowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kindergartners and I loved this book. They were totally invested in Douglas and couldn't wait to see if Douglas solved his problem of not being able to see. As an educator, I highly recommend this book for your classroom and it's an awesome read aloud. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and now my kids think glasses are awesome. It would be great if you have a child or student that has anxiety about wearing glasses or is one of those kids that doesn't even bring them to school with them because they don't like them. Lots of great stopping points for discussion about what's happening in the illustrations and how they enhance the text. Douglas needs to have a series, stat.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazingly clever cover. Cute and useful plot. Fun illustrations with a lot of whimsy. Resolution gets a bit didactic and doesn't-really-end abruptly. But kids will appreciate the ending. And the author's heart was in the right place. I'd love to see the characters in a sequel: a real story with even more personality.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madam needs glasses *sigh*; when I saw this book I thought why not read this with her and approach the subject in a sweet & funny way? The book was a hit, and she liked the pictures at the end of real-life kids wearing glasses (though she thought the glasses that Douglas tried on were funnier).

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are never enough picture books about kids (or dogs) with glasses. An excellent disability title.

[Stephanie H (My Bookish Itinerary) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Cutie Pie #2 picked this book up from the library because it is a part of the Sunshine State Readers Award for the 2017-2018 school year.
Douglas, You Need Glasses! is a cute and fun story about a dog that has a very hard time seeing clearly. He chases leaves thinking that he is actually chasing a squirrel. He sometimes ends up at his neighbor's house eating another dog's food because he thinks he is actually at home. So his owner, Nancy takes him to the eyeglass store for an eye exam. And after the eye exam, Douglas gets his first pair of glasses. Which makes it so much easier for him to see and have fun.
I really enjoyed reading this story with my girls. I don't have as bad of eye sight as Douglas does, but it is really amazing how much clearer someone can see when they have the right glasses. I think this is a wonderful story to read with kids that are worried or scared of going to the eye doctor. Definitely a great book to read with kids that are getting their first pair of glasses too, they will be able to relate to Douglas and have a good example of how clearer their surroundings are when they have glasses to wear.
This book is recommended for the age range of 3-7, but I think some older kids will still enjoy reading this book. Both of my girls enjoyed this story. I am really liked this story and am glad that we read it. I recommend giving this book a read.

This review, as well as, Cutie Pie and Cutie Pie #2's thoughts can be found on my blog: My Bookish Itinerary

[Abby Hargreaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Douglas, You Need Glasses! is a hilarious picture book starring Douglas the dog and his unnamed kid owner. For audiences who are receiving their first pair of glasses and perhaps feel self-conscious about it, Douglas will lead the way with his great new specs and the benefits they bring. Meanwhile, audiences who do not need glasses will come to understand what it is like for those who do need glasses. (Prior to having glasses myself, I often wondered what vision was like for people who needed them -- this fuzzy title and Douglas's experience with the eye doctor will give kids an idea of what it's like.)

Human characters in the book are in a similar style to the popular Gravity Falls cartoon and plenty of color makes for eye-catching and interesting depictions. Adults will appreciate a nod to John Lennon among other pieces of humor. The final page includes a spread of pictures of children wearing and loving their glasses and goes even further to provide the opportunity to participate by posting a picture on social media to join the glasses-wearing crowd.

[Kalynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you wear glasses? Do any of your children or students? If so, then I would have this book in your collection. As a person who has worn glasses since 4th grade, it is difficult to describe what it is like to not be able to see, and what it feels like, emotionally. Granted, I am one who happens to love glasses (I think everyone looks better in glasses), but that is not the case for so many, especially those new to glasses. This is a cute, fun, and clever way to not only share what it is like to need glasses, but what it feels like when you can see clearly. Oh, and I just love how the author used a dog to be the character in need...him chasing a squirrel (which was really a leaf) put such a smile on my face. :-) For a science connection, there are so many great lab and lab demos about the eye, to really help students understand what is going on.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book and a useful tool to help students who need glasses to transition. It would be fun to read no matter what as Douglas sees the world differently through his limited vision. This dog is definitely seeing some interesting things which lead to funny, unexpected situations. Kids will relate to this story. I was in second grade when I got glasses, probably slipped through the cracks when my family moved the year before, and was surprised to see what leaves on trees looked like as opposed to the circular marks children draw them as. Children reluctant to wear their glasses may find inspiration in this tale. I would recommend this for a school library, classroom, or for any early elementary aged child, glasses or not.

(I was allowed to pick this book at the Keystone State Reading Association conference from a table of books being considered for awards.)

[Jolynne Dougherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a book called Spectacles by Ellen Raskin that was based on the same concept back in the 70s. I borrowed it for storytime, but there was a little fat-shaming in it, so I didn't want to use it. I was so happy to find this book which is based on a similar theme. Douglas is a nearsighted dog. It causes some problems in life. He thinks he's chasing a squirrel, but it end up being a leaf. He thinks he chasing a big ball, but.....well, I won't spoil it for you, but suffice it to say, excitement ensues and Nancy takes him to the eye doctors and after trying on many pairs of frames, Douglas gets his glasses. The cover is clever with the letters in the title being just a little out of focus. The illustrations are bright and colorful. The kids enjoyed looking at the eye chart and seeing what they looked like to Douglas and what they really were.

[Rosabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Douglas, You Need Glasses! Is a brilliant and downright hilarious book for any kid (or adult--I loved it, and I'm 36!), but it's especially perfect for a child who might need glasses. Through Douglas' story, we have a fun a clever adventure that points out the necessity at times (and process of) obtaining spectacles in a way that will make anyone giggle. My only teeny tiny little bone to pick is that of the 39 humans depicted in the story, only 3 wore glasses. All in all though, I wish this book had been around when I was a kid...it would have made my eventual need for glasses a little more palatable.

[Chantel Bahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was so creative and I truly feel that this would help students feel better about wearing glasses. I know that having "four eyes" is more of an embarrassment of the past because glasses are mostly in style now, but there are still kids who feel dumb or like they look stupid (experience low self-esteem) when they have what seems like a major appearance change during elementary school. It can make them feel very uncomfortable and like everyone is looking at them. I feel that it would be appropriate to read this book to any student grades k-3. All students could use a cute story that makes wearing glasses make sense and seem fun.

[Ashley Adkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books has a short text but fun message. I read this with my boys, ages 10 and 11, and though it was a bit young for them they enjoyed it. They weren't sure about why the dog was talking but they understood the message of the book and that it would be a good tool to use with children who also wore glasses. Nancy is a great character of support and guidance for the dog, Douglas, who needs glasses. The illustrations helped to add details to the story without adding more text. I also like the "activity" at the back of the book that readers could choose to participate in.

[Miss Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story about needing glasses. It was done in a fun way, with Douglas getting into silly situations prior to getting his glasses and seeing things clearly. The illustrations are adorable, from the characters down to the background. Simple but effective, and quite funny too. Likely good for a storytime for littles (>2) or a one-on-one read aloud -- especially if your little one/someone they know is going through the process of getting glasses. Theme could be dogs/animals, diversity, or glasses.

[Emily Metheny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very comical book that will have your students laughing as poor Douglas chases a leaf thinking it's a squirrel. He misses important signs and his poor eye sight puts him in some funny situations. After following Douglas through these events the children will be happy when he finally goes to the eye doctor and gets his glasses. If you plan on reading this out loud be prepared to be laughing right along with your students!