Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube TikTok
    • Home
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Advertise
    • Mentorship
    • Editing Services
    • About
    • Contact
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest TikTok
    The Children's Book Review
    Subscribe
    • Books by Subject
    • Books by Age
      • Ages 0-3, Infant and Toddler
      • Ages 4-8, Preschool to Elementary
      • Ages 9-12, Preteen and Tween
      • Ages 12+, Teen and Young Adult
      • Books for First Grade Readers
      • Books for Second Grade Readers
      • Books for Third Grade Readers
    • Favorites
      • Diverse and Inclusive Books
      • Books About Activism
      • Best Books for Kids
      • Star Wars Books
      • Board Books
      • Books About Mindfulness
      • Dr. Seuss Books
    • Showcase
    • Interviews
      • Growing Readers Podcast
      • Author Interviews and Q&A
      • Illustrator Interviews
    • Kids’ Book Giveaways
    • Directory
    • Podcast
    The Children's Book Review

    Ann Gwinn Zawistoski Discusses Glasses

    Jillian SciaccaBy Jillian Sciacca6 Mins Read Ages 0-3 Ages 4-8 Author Interviews Best Kids Stories Board Books Health
    Ann Gwinn Zawistoski Discusses Glasses
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    The Children’s Book Review | January 25, 2017

    “Glasses” is a positive book about babies and toddlers wearing glasses. Read all about it …

    Jillian Sciacca: What inspired you to write Glasses?

    wearing glasses first_dayAnn Gwinn Zawistoski: The book is directly inspired by my oldest daughter who got glasses when she was a year old. This is the book that I wish had existed for her at that age. Being a librarian, I’m a strong believer in the power of books to help people learn new things and process changes. There are a lot of (great) books out there for older kids getting glasses, but they weren’t books that my young toddler would relate to. At that point, she loved looking at picture books of other babies and young kids, and I kept hoping I’d find a book that had even one child her age wearing glasses. Right around that time, I started a website for parents of young kids in glasses (Little Four Eyes). The website has a photo gallery of babies and young kids in glasses to help parents see the range of options available. I started hearing from parents that their children were more willing to wear their glasses after seeing photos of other kids their age in glasses. That pushed me to finally write this book.

    Can you describe your book in three words?

    Cute, bespectacled children

    GLASSES photos

    Along with writing the book Glasses, what else are you doing to ensure children who need glasses, wear them?

    I run a website for parents of kids in glasses (or contacts or eye patches). The main goal of that site is to provide parents with support and accurate information about why children with vision problems need early treatment. There’s a pretty high percentage of kids who have vision problems caught early, and are prescribed glasses, but for a whole host of reasons don’t wear their glasses. I know I can’t solve all the problems, but I can help parents learn about why it’s important and provide support for making sure their children get what they need to see better.

    I’m also a co-founder and organizer of the Great Glasses Play Day, which is an annual event in May for families with young kids in glasses, contacts and eye patches. It’s a chance to get together and celebrate the advances that help their children see better. We also use the event to raise awareness about the importance of catching and treating vision issues early.

    At what age do you recommend that a child should have their vision checked?

    The American Optometric Association recommends the first vision exam between 6 and 12 months and then if there are no problems, a second exam at 3 years. The American Pediatrics Association and American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus recommend that children be screened by their pediatrician at well-children visits, with vision exams if there’s a family history or any indication of a problem. I recommend that parents take their child to an eye doctor for a vision exam after the age of 6 months if they have any concerns at all because it can be hard to catch vision problems, even at pediatrician screenings. There’s a great program in the United States called InfantSEE that provides free vision exams for babies age 6 to 12 months. Around 1 in 20 preschoolers should be wearing glasses

    Do you have any other books in the works?

    I’m working on an e-book for parents of young kids in glasses, I’m planning on just publishing that on my website rather than through a publisher at this point.

    Are you an early bird, or a night owl? When do find that it is easiest to write?

    I am very much a night owl, but my work and family’s schedules keep me from staying up as late as I’d like. I’m writing this in the morning from the back seat of my vanpool. I take my writing time where I can get it these days.

    Tell us something we don’t know about you.

    My undergraduate degree is in geology. I work as a librarian at a college, and I love my job, but I still have my rock hammer, and there’s nothing better on a beautiful day than going out and hitting rocks with a hammer.

    What words of advice can you offer to someone who would like to make a difference in some way?

    Think about what you’re good at and what you love doing and find a way to harness that energy and put it to work. I love helping people find support and information, so that’s where I’ve focused my time and energy. And then – and I think this may be the most important part – find other people with the same interests and passions, but different talents. I am so lucky that I found my publisher and co-founder of the Great Glasses Play Day, Kristin Ellsworth, who runs Peeps Eyewear. She is a huge advocate for children’s vision, is connected to the eye care community, and is amazing at logistical support and keeping things organized. The other organizer of the Great Glasses Play Day, Jessica Butler, runs Eye Power Kids Wear, she’s a great artist and is very good with social media and traditional media. The three of us together get so much more done than if we were trying to do things on our own.

    What else can we expect from you in the future?

    Well, I’m planning on continuing my website and the Great Glasses Play Day. As a librarian, I’m very interested in exploring how people evaluate and use information sources in their everyday lives, and how they talk about those sources on social media.

    ***

    Glasses by Ann Gwinn ZawistoskiGlasses

    Written by Ann Gwinn Zawistoski

    Publisher’s Synopsis: “Glasses” is a positive book about babies and toddlers wearing glasses. It features vivid photographs of young children playing and having fun, and it has a simple rhyming text that talks about different glasses and how they help you to see. The book is a perfect choice for parents, daycare centers, preschools, children’s library collections and children’s optical professional’s offices.

    “If you are a parent who is concerned with your child’s vision and wondering how in the world you will get your child to wear glasses, this book is for you!”—Jillian Sciacca, The Children’s Book Review

    Ages 0-4 | Publisher: Peeps Eyewear, LLC | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0991070114

    Available Here: 

    Buy on AmazonLogo

    About The Author

    Ann Zawistoski
    Ann Zawistoski

    Ann Gwinn Zawistoski is a Reference & Instruction Librarian at Carleton College. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband, two daughters, and two cats. She is the author of the board book, Glasses, and the creator and author of the website Little Four Eyes (littlefoureyes.com), and the co-founder of the non-profit Great Glasses Play Day (greatglassesplayday.com).

    This interview with Ann Gwinn Zawistoski, the author of Glasses, was conducted by Jillian Sciacca. For similar books and articles, follow along with our content tagged with Ann Gwinn Zawistoski, Books About Wearing Glasses, and Rhyming Text.

    What to Read Next:

    1. Glasses, by Ann Gwinn Zawistoski | Book Review
    2. An Interview with Denise Dufala, Journalist Turned Author
    3. My Writing and Reading Life with Josh Funk, Author of Short and Sweet
    4. M.H. Clark and Beya Rebaï Discuss Over and Over

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Ann Gwinn Zawistoski Author Interview Books About Wearing Glasses Glasses Peeps Eyewear LLC Rhyming Text
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleThe Peerless Seer, by B.S. Gibbs | Book Spotlight
    Next Article Five Family Favorites with Ruby Shamir, Author of What’s the Big Deal About First Ladies
    Jillian Sciacca

    Jill Sciacca, M.S. Ed (Early Childhood Reading and Literacy), has spent time teaching preschool, kindergarten, first grade, and fourth grade. She currently is a faculty member at the University of Phoenix where she teaches for the College of Humanities and Sciences, as well as the College of Education. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two-year-old daughter Gianna and her husband, Jack. Jill also loves a good adventure and can often be found skiing at Monarch Mountain. She was born and raised in Colorado and has no plans to leave. You can follow Jill on Twitter @jillian_sciacca and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/Jillian-Sciacca).

    2 Comments

    1. Margaret Edgar on January 25, 2017 3:52 pm

      This book appears to be out of print. Any possibility of new edition or trade paperback? I know there are used copies available but the cost is mostly prohibitive. I will check out the website.

      Reply
      • Ann Zawistoski on January 26, 2017 7:47 am

        Hi Margaret, the book should be available new through Amazon, through the Peeps Eyewear seller. You can also purchase it directly at GlassesBoardBook.com. Thank you!

        Reply
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    TCBR Supporter
    Recent Articles
    • Squid in Pants, By Kaz Windness | Book Review
    • The Rejection Collection: Allie Millington’s Journey to Publishing ‘When You Find a Hope’
    • Armando and the Amazing Animal Race | Dedicated Review
    • Armando and the Amazing Animal Race | Awareness Tour
    • 5 Stunning Summer-Themed Audiobooks for Ages 4 and Up
    TCBR Supporters
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today

    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    Discover Kids Books by Age
    Best Books For Kids
    Media Kit: The Children's Book Review
    Author and Illustrator Showcase
    SEARCH
    BOOKS BY SUBJECT
    Archives
    Professional Resources

    Book Marketing Campaigns

    Writing Coaches and Editing Services

    Mentorship

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Policies
    • Advertise
    • TCBR Buzzworthy Mentions
    • About TCBR
    © 2025 The Children’s Book Review. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.