For millions of families, the world of Peppa Pig is instantly recognisable. This global phenomenon offers a powerful platform to introduce little ones to new experiences, and Peppa’s First Glasses aims to do just that. It serves as a kids book about having an eye test, using the familiar characters and bright, simple art style to demystify a first trip to the optician.
What is “Peppa’s First Glasses” About?
The story begins with Peppa’s friend, Pedro Pony, who wears glasses and struggles to see when he takes them off. This makes Peppa worry about her own vision, so Mummy Pig takes her to see the optician, who happens to be Pedro’s dad, Mr Pony. At the practice, Peppa undergoes a very simple eye test, tries on some fun frames, and is ultimately told she has “perfect eyesight.” While she doesn’t need prescription glasses, the story ends with Peppa choosing a cool pair of sunglasses to wear.
Eye Care Themes in This Book
For a short children’s story, this book packs in a remarkable number of eye care concepts:
Normalising Glasses Wear: Features a main character, Pedro Pony, for whom wearing glasses is a normal part of life.
The Function of Glasses: It clearly links wearing glasses to the ability to see well.
The Role of an Optician: Introduces what an optician (or optometrist) does and why you would visit one.
The Eye Test: Gives a simplified, non-intimidating overview of what might happen during an eye examination.
Managing Expectations: Shows that not all eye tests result in needing glasses.
Trying on Frames: Portrays the process of choosing and trying on different glasses as a fun activity.
Sunglasses: Introduces the concept of sunglasses as another form of eyewear.
Jason’s View on “Peppa’s First Glasses”
As an optometrist, Peppa’s First Glasses is mixed bag, but its strengths are significant. The sheer familiarity of Peppa Pig is its greatest asset; it provides an immediate entry point for toddlers and pre-schoolers, making a potentially scary topic feel safe and normal. It cleverly introduces a whole host of concepts and is particularly good at managing expectations by showing that an eye test doesn’t automatically mean your child will need glasses. This can be reassuring for an anxious child or help prevent disappointment for one who wants them but doesn’t need them.
There are several clinical inaccuracies apparent; the eye test is not representative of a real examination, and in the UK, it is an “optometrist” who performs the test, not necessarily an “optician.” This may be forgiven however based on the target audience of the book.
As a parent, there are notable drawbacks. In a household that is selective about screen time, the “Peppa effect” might be a turn-off for families who find the character’s behaviour problematic. The most significant issue is the misleading title. For a book called Peppa’s First Glasses, the fact she doesn’t get prescription glasses can be a real disappointment for a child who has just been prescribed their own pair and was hoping to see their favourite character share the experience.
What Other Parents Think
Online reviews are generally positive, with an average rating of around 4 stars. Many parents praise it for being a gentle and upbeat introduction to eye tests, with some saying it helped their child feel excited about their own optician visit.
However, the most common criticism echoes my own: several parents bought the book specifically to help their child adjust to needing glasses, only to find that Peppa doesn’t get them in the end, which “defeated the purpose” for them.
Final Verdict
Peppa’s First Glasses is a useful, if flawed, book. It is best used to prepare a toddler or pre-schooler for the idea of their first eye examination, making the environment and process seem familiar and fun. It scores well based on the sheer number of topics it subtly covers.
However, due to its misleading title, I would not recommend it for a child who has just been prescribed their first pair of glasses and needs encouragement to wear them. For that purpose, there are better stories available, such as The Short-Sighted Giraffe.
A final note for parents: While Peppa gets sunglasses at the end, please remember that these would be a private purchase as they are not typically covered by an NHS voucher. Always ensure any sunglasses for your child have full UV protection and carry the CE/UKCA mark. Please discuss the options with your child’s optometrist or dispensing optician.
Ready to read it yourself? You can purchase “Peppa’s First Glasses” on Amazon by clicking the link below.
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