The journey to accepting a first pair of glasses isn’t always smooth. For a child feeling anxious, self-conscious, or just plain stubborn, a story that acknowledges those feelings can be incredibly powerful. Specs for Rex by Yasmeen Ismail is a children’s book about initially hating your new glasses, diving straight into the negative emotions many children experience before turning the story into one of acceptance and pride.
What is “Specs for Rex” About?
Rex the lion has a new pair of glasses – they’re big, they’re round, and they’re very red. And he absolutely hates them. Worried about what his friends at school will think, Rex tries everything to hide his new specs: in his cereal, under his impressive mane, and even in his sandwich.
His day takes a turn, however, when his glasses inadvertently help him find his teacher’s lost whistle. Suddenly, his specs are seen as cool and helpful, winning him a gold star and a new friend, and helping him realise that seeing properly is actually a very good thing.
Eye Care Themes in This Book
This story focuses squarely on the emotional side of getting glasses for the first time:
Negative Feelings: It directly addresses a child’s potential feelings of anger, embarrassment, and resistance toward new glasses.
Hiding Glasses: The plot revolves around the common temptation to hide or avoid wearing glasses.
Functional Benefits: It demonstrates that glasses have a clear purpose -helping you see things you couldn’t before.
Social Acceptance: The story arc shows a perceived negative trait being transformed into a positive one that is accepted and even celebrated by peers.
Jason’s View on “Specs for Rex”
As an optometrist, Specs for Rex is a mixed bag of merits and flaws. Ultimately, any story that encourages a child to accept and wear their glasses is a positive. The ending, where Rex can see things he couldn’t before and uses his glasses to help others, reinforces the functional benefit of vision correction.
However, I have some professional reservations. Firstly, Specs for Rex models poor glasses care by showing Rex hiding his specs in places (like in a jam sandwich) where they would inevitably be damaged. This gives children ideas that could lead to costly or frustrating breakages. Secondly, the glasses are drawn to be comically oversized and poorly fitting. While this is an artistic choice that would otherwise be fine, this could give a child the wrong impression about modern eyewear, which comes in countless well-fitting and stylish options that don’t have to drastically alter their appearance.
As a parent, this book presents a real dilemma, and its suitability depends heavily on your child’s existing mindset. The story’s greatest strength is its relatability. It does an excellent job of validating a child’s initial negative feelings, and as someone who also disliked their first pair of glasses, I can see how a child would connect with Rex’s struggle. This validation can be a crucial first step toward acceptance.
The risk, however, is that it starts on such a negative footing. For a child who isn’t already resistant, the book could introduce the idea that glasses are something to be hated or hidden. Furthermore, it’s disappointing that no other characters in the book wear glasses, which reinforces the idea that Rex is “different” rather than fully normalising the experience within his peer group. That said, the bright, childlike illustration style is very engaging, and the eventual positive outcome is heartwarming.
What Other Parents Think
Online reviews for Specs for Rex are very divided. Many readers adore the book, praising Yasmeen Ismail’s vibrant, energetic, and childlike watercolour illustrations. They find the story highly relatable and a perfect way to open a conversation with a child who is feeling insecure.
However, an equal number of parents and reviewers express the same concerns I have. The most common critique is that the book’s negative start is a “bad teaching tool” that could be counterproductive for a child who isn’t already resistant. Some also felt the resolution was unrealistic and that the story modelled behaviour they’ve been telling their own children not to do.
Final Verdict
Specs for Rex is a book for a very specific situation. It is likely most effective for a child who is already demonstrating strong resistance and negativity towards wearing their new glasses. By mirroring their feelings, the story can create a connection before showing a positive way forward. However, I would hesitate to recommend it for a child who is neutral, curious, or even excited about their glasses, as it could unintentionally introduce the idea that glasses are something to be hated or hidden.
Ready to read it yourself? You can purchase “Specs for Rex” on Amazon by clicking the link below.
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