Boris's Glasses [Hardcover]

Peter Cohen (Author), Olof Landstrom (Illustrator), Joan Sandin (Translator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

One evening when Boris is watching television, he notices that the picture looks blurry. The repairman who comes over tells him that the problem is not the television but, rather, Boris's eyesight. A trip to the eye doctor confirms the diagnosis – Boris is an astigmatic. How important this sounds! When he gets his glasses, a whole new world unveils itself to him. Boris decides to get a job with his "talent" and starts work at the radio factory as a foreman. However, nothing turns out as Boris expects in this sweet story enlivened by Olof Landström’s sprightly cartoon-like illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-Boris, an endearing rodent in a maroon sweater, feels really special when he visits the eye doctor and learns that he's "an astigmatic." With his new glasses, his eyesight improves greatly ("I had no idea there was so much to look at!") and he notices the pretty girl who works at the bakery. Suddenly bashful, he forgets to pick up his favorite sandwich. He decides to get a job and is hired to sit in a booth and watch over the operations in a factory. The hard work gives him a headache and suddenly he notices all the dust bunnies in his house and how awful the TV programs really are. He is tempted to throw away his glasses-or just keep them for special occasions, like visits to the bakery. The pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations are filled with whimsical details. However, the understated story line may have some readers scratching their heads; the author seems to jump from one event to another and merely records Boris's reactions to them. The idea of his getting noticed for a condition most of us would prefer not to have remains underdeveloped and won't be appreciated by most youngsters.
Edith Ching, St. Albans School, Mt. St. Alban, Washington, DC
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Boris makes the case for the value of seeing things your own way, even if that way is a bit out of focus." --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 28 pages
• Publisher: R & S Books; First American Edition edition (September 8, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9129659426
• ISBN-13: 978-9129659429
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,171,019 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Cute Story but Disappointing Conclusion, December 22, 2003

By 

George C. Swan (Bedford, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Boris's Glasses (Hardcover)

I had high expectations for Boris's Glasses. I was soon disappointed with the outcome of the story. At first, I was impressed with how the author showed that Boris needed glasses. Words such as farsighted and nearsighted were used but were not explained or identified. The word astigmatic was also used but never explained except to say that it was hereditary.

As Boris wore his glasses I had a very positive feeling for the book. His vision improved, he got a job and saw things he had not been able to see before. I immediately felt the book had value especially for those children who must wear glasses. In elementary school, students often need encouragement to wear their glasses.

When Boris got headaches and was weary from wearing the glasses, he simply opted to walk away from his job, go back to his dirty home and have things as they were before. He decided to wear his glasses only on special occasions. Usually children do not have that option or privilege. To me, the author sends a bad message that when things are difficult or painful, just quit!

The illustrations are delightful and truly add to the book.

If I used this book with a class at school, I would finish the reading with a discussion about making bad choices and then lead the students to understand the need to improve themselves and not return to the status quo when change is hard to deal with.

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Greatest Children's Books Ever, October 25, 2009

By 

Kristin Ferragut - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Boris's Glasses (Hardcover)

My six year old daughter brought BORIS'S GLASSES home from school. We read it Monday night. We read it twice Tuesday night. We read it Wednesday and Thursday nights. She returned it Friday, but I am on Amazon to order a copy, because I miss it. My daughter had a sleep over last night and it would've been a great book to read. It is not that our house lacks books. BORIS'S GLASSES is simply a beautifully illustrated, clever and funny book. It is true that there are some terms in the book that the author does not define; the parent or teacher can do that for the child and they'll want to. Understanding the meaning of the words make this book absolutely halarious.