Timmers, Leo. Bear’s Lost Glasses. Leo Timmers, Illus. Translated from the Dutch by David Colmer. Gecko, 08/2024. [36]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-77657-594-7. GRADES Preschool–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
Originally published in Dutch in 2023, this smoothly translated picture book stars a bear with bad eyesight. Although readers will see that his eyeglasses are on top of his head, the bear decides to visit his friend Giraffe, thinking he left the glasses there. Along the way, he misidentifies items, such as thinking a tree is a deer; readers can call out what he is really seeing, making this a fun call-and-response book for storytime. The full-color artwork may have been created digitally, with bear and giraffe set on white backgrounds, almost like they are actors in a play. A funny, engaging story that many eyeglass wearers will relate to.
Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool