FICTION

Calvin, Look Out!: A Bookworm Birdie Gets Glasses

by Jennifer BERNE
illus. by Keith Bendis. 32p. Sterling. Aug. 2014. Tr $14.95. ISBN 9781454909101. LC 2013014444.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 2—When a young starling gets glasses (or "spectacles," as the exacting birdie prefers to call them), his friends tease him. But Calvin is so excited to finally be able to see small things clearly that he trips and falls in the woods and becomes wedged under a rock. Undaunted, he uses his glasses to reflect sunlight and signal to the other starlings using Morse code, and soon all the other birds want spectacles, too. Though the topic is an underrepresented one and the busy, cartoon illustrations are full of humorous touches, such as the "Bug and Worm Fine Dining" restaurant and a "Nest Supplies" store in the town of Treeville, the characters, from the know-it-all Calvin to the bespectacled librarian with the sensible bob, are blandly stereotypical.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD
Though his cousins tease him about his glasses, book-loving starling Calvin (Calvin Can't Fly) reminds himself of great historical figures who also wore them, such as Ben Franklin, Gandhi, and John Lennon. When faced with a precarious situation, Calvin uses his new spectacles in an unexpected way. Overt confidence-bolstering messages abound in the playfully written story with amiable illustrations featuring square, spindly-legged birds.
Reviewed by Kathleen Kelly MacMillan , Aug 01, 2014

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

BOOKS

Maddie and Mabel Ready for Snow
by Allen, Kari
BOOKS

Welcome to the Woofmore
by Gephart, Donna & Lori Haskins Houran
BOOKS

Eleven Houses
by Oakes, Colleen
BOOKS

Don’t Let the Forest In
by Drews, CG
BOOKS

Summer Nights and Meteorites
by Reynolds, Hannah
BOOKS

A Vile Season
by Ferraro, David
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?