Arthur's Eyes

Arthur Adventure Series

by Marc Brown

None of Arthur's friends wear glasses and his classmates tease him! But when he stops wearing them, he gets in all kinds of trouble. Maybe four eyes really are better than two.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Health, Animals, School, Humor

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 1979

About the author

Marc Tolon Brown is perhaps best known for his series of children's books about Arthur the aardvark, which was turned into an animated television show on PBS. Brown is a three-time Emmy Award winner, for his role on the television show inspired by his books.

He lives on Martha's Vineyard and in New York City with his wife, Laurie Krasny Brown. He has three children, sons Tolon and Tucker, and daughter Eliza. The names of his two sons have been hidden in all of the Arthur books except for one: Arthur's Tooth.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw the original 1979 version and Arthur's nose is long like an Aardvark so you can actually tell what creature he is.

This is a story about needing glasses and having to endure being called four eyes. It's a basic story while being plenty cute. For Beginners.

I found this on Openlibrary. I have to say that I still miss my library. I'm ready for it to open when it's safe.

[Karen Chee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I friggin love this book. Arthur is such a good boy. He gets glasses in this story which made me feel seen because I also wear glasses. really moving book

[Ronyell · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Arthur’s Eyes” is the second book in Marc Brown’s famous “Arthur” series and is about how Arthur copes with having his glasses for the first time and the bullying he goes through. “Arthur’s Eyes” is truly a masterpiece for anyone who also has problems with having their glasses for the first time in their lives.

Marc Brown’s writing is truly inspiring since it involves a real life situation about how Arthur felt when he was teased by his classmates about his glasses and how he did not want to wear his glasses anymore because of the teasing. The story is cute without going too overboard with the bullying that Arthur faces after he wears his glasses for the first time in his life. Marc Brown’s illustrations are improved more from his last book “Arthur’s Nose” as the characters looked extremely lively and the colors in this book may look a bit dull, but the characters are much more interesting looking in this book. Arthur still retains his long nose, but no longer looks like a real aardvark, which is an improvement to his character.

“Arthur’s Eyes” is one of Marc Brown’s most memorable book as it help started the famous TV series and it actually reaches out to kids who have problems with teasing from their classmates when they first got their glasses. I would recommend this book to children ages four and up since there is nothing inappropriate for children in this book.

Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog

[Abdirahman in ms.oberg class · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kwoe

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good story about getting eyeglasses and the benefits (getting to see better) and challenges (getting picked on). Our girls haven't experienced this yet, but if nothing else, I hope they can see that it hurts children to be picked on for being different.

They noticed that the illustrations were a bit different (even from the image on the cover) and I explained that it was one of Marc Brown's early books about Arthur, and that the illustrations changed a bit over the years, especially with the TV show. It reminded me of how much Jim Davis's Garfield has changed in the last 30+ years.

We borrowed this book as part of a kit from our local library. It included a CD narrated by the author with a paperback book with ISBN13 9780316110693.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

You have to give the author credit here for getting this exactly right.

When this particular book came out I was getting my first pair of glasses for the exact same reasons Arthur was. Okay, I didn't wind up in the wrong bathroom, but I had headaches and couldn't read a word of what was on the board. I also hated wearing them, was teased, and tried to hide my glasses only to find out having them off was worse than having them on, because then I knew how blind I was. I wanted to see the world in a crisp and sharp way. But it was hard, and the other kids in my class made it harder.

So yay for Arthur for doing the right thing finally and wearing his glasses despite what others initially thought. Francine is awful in this book, but I never liked her much. Maybe that will improve as we read through the rest of the series this summer. It will be interesting to find out.

Highly recommended to read with your child if they're getting glasses for the first time!

[Breanna Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Arthur needs glasses so that he can be a better student and playmate, the next day, his friend's laugh at him. They tease him because he is different, and Arthur doesn't want to be different. He just wants to be able to see, but he cannot stand to be teased for it. This book helps kids accept the fact that glasses tend to be labeled unjustly as "uncool" and help them accept that it is okay to be different.

[Bev Walkling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arthur has trouble seeing and gets a pair of glasses but at first everyone at school laughs at him...

My 4 year old grandson asked me to read him this book. It has cute drawings of animals in a grade 2 school setting. Coming from a family where lots of people wear glasses, this story provided a good opportunity to talk about who needs glasses and how it helps them to see things better.

[Marc · Rating 1 out of 5]

Daddy: Did you like it?

Malcolm: I didn't like it.

Daddy: Why didn't you like it?

Malcolm: It was scary.

Daddy: What made it scary?

Malcolm: Francine wasn't very nice.

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arthur was my all-time favorite Educational TV show as a kid! I would watch it every morning!

[haris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A transcending piece of fine literature indeed. The emotions conveyed is riveting to the reader’s core. Arthur’s journey from blindness is truly inspirational, would recommend to all.

[Igor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The longest book I read to my four year-son until now. I had to change the story a little bit to grab his attention. He repeated many of the words, what was cool. In the end he was looking for his plastic fake glasses. He didn't understand the whole lesson. Still, a good reading.

[Emily Krafcik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never read any of Marc Brown's "Arthur" series, but I did watch the TV show a lot when I was growing up! I liked how the book incorporated the same characters that were in the TV show, like Francine and Buster! I think this story would be great to read to a young child who have recently gotten or are planning on getting glasses themselves because they may have the same feelings that Arthur did until he discovered his teacher also wore glasses. This story can also be for students who do not have glasses so they know that treating someone poorly for having them is wrong. Overall, a sweet story that can be a learning tool for children/students with and without glasses!

[Tara Strosnider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arthur has to get glasses, and his friends start making fun of him and bullying him because,of the glasses. This a great book that can be relatable to because of wearing glasses and the bullying that sometimes happens,when,you,first get,glasses. But this book can be a,good,learning tool or lesson for anyone to,learn that there is good,to having to wear,glasses because,it will help you see,better. And that they aren't the,only ones,afraid,of what will everyone think because they can relate to Arthur as they read the book.

[Julia McMenamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe this would be an awesome book to have in a classroom for various reasons. Arthur does not like his glasses at first because he gets made fun of but they are necessary for his success in school. After meeting with his principal and realizing she wears glasses too, he feels better. In almost all schools students look up to their principal so this is a cool realization for readers. Eventually, Arthur likes glasses and so does Francine now. This would be a good book for children with glasses or to read when a student in your class gets glasses!

[Janina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is so fun and a great book for kids. It's about Arthur getting glasses. He starts not being able to see well and having to have his friend help him read problems. His parents realize he needs glasses. His friends though start to make fun of him so all he wants to do is hide them away. In the end his teacher helps him realize glasses aren't bad, even he has to wear glasses. This would be good to read to students especially someone struggling with having glasses.

[Deanna Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Arthur! But this is a great book to have in the classroom because students who get glasses for the first time, for whatever reason, are ashamed to wear them. It is great for students to see themselves and the problems that they face in the books that they read. Students would be able to see the good that comes from using their glasses!

[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arthur was very self conscious when he first got his glasses and didn't want to wear them because his friends made fun of him. Only when he saw that his teacher also wears glasses did he decide to give them a chance again only to find out that he could see well enough to beat Francine at basketball.

[Tyler Forest McBride · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was powerful for self-conscious children and children with glasses. This has implications in teambuilding and understanding bullying. Young children can learn about social context and empathy through this book. The illustrations are a bit random as far as inconsistencies with character design but overall the message is good.

[Brenda Quispe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love thrift shops! I can always find a good oldie from my epoca. After a few more Arthur books, I will introduce my boys to the TV series. They will love it like I did growing up.

[Kiara Coletti · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really did not like the messages and stereotypes that were displayed in this book. I think that children could develop complex's after reading this. Being afraid that other students will call them "four-eyes" and think less of who they are. I think it also could deliver the wrong idea that it is okay to call other students with glasses "four-eyes." When Arthur put on his glasses for the first time, his mother said he looked smart. This is an example of a stereo-type to people who wear glasses. Does Arthur not come off as smart when he doesn't wear his glasses? When Arthur accidentally walked into the girls bathroom, the wall had a heart drawn on it that said "Francine + Arthur" and I think that's a little strange for a children's book. And then, towards the end of the book, it said how Arthur did better on the test than Francine when that really shouldn't even matter. Children should not be influenced to compare themselves to their peers.

[Meghan Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book! It is a great book to introduce to children that are in need of glasses or are struggling with the same issues Arthur did. Throughout the book, we read that Arthur continuously gets bullied for his glasses and he decided to "lose" them. His mother gets upset with him so he brings them to school but does not wear them. When he accidentally ends up in the girl's room, he gets in trouble. Ends up his teacher wears glasses too, and Arthur feels much better. Turns out Authur became the "cool kid" for making all the baskets and getting all of his math problems right. This is a great book to read to kids that may feel uncomfortable wearing glasses for the first time. This book shows that your not the only one wearing glasses and glasses are only there to help you succeed!

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

In which Arthur still has cruddy friends who make fun of him for his appearance.
Despite the new cover, this Arthur book still features old-school uggo Arthur.
I still have fun looking for the "Tolon" and "Tucker" hidden references for Marc Brown's kids throughout the books.
Lara didn't have much to say about this one. Still trying to get her on the Arthur train, because man, I could watch old-school Arthur episodes on PBS all.day.long.

Featuring:
-A first rendering of mean Buster who is not really Arthur's friend and makes fun of him on the bus for his glasses.
-A heart drawn on the wall in the girl's bathroom which reads "Francine loves Arthur" which I guess is the true basis for the Francine and Arthur crush motif.
-A full page spread of Arthur's family chowing down on the couch in front of the TV with the parents both eating low-fat snacks out of the bag.

[Shayla Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marc Brown’s books are great books for situations that may arise in a student’s life and how to handle them. For example one book that I know that he has created is called Arthur’s Glasses. This deals with the reason Arthur needed glasses along with what happened when he first got glasses especially with how people treated him. This can be used to let students know why people may need glasses and how to react to them if they need glasses instead of making fun of them. Also it can let students know that they are not the only ones who have gone through this and provide ways to deal with it. As a teacher you could read this book to the students and have them respond to how they would have felt if they were in Arthur’s shoes and how they would treat someone who did something similar.

[Morgan Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Arthur and when he learned that he needed to get glasses. The book starts off with him not being able to see anything at school, so he went to the eye doctor and got glasses, then he was too nervous to wear them. He ended up warming up to them when he saw his teacher wearing them. The book highlights a child with a disability and provides them the chance to relate to someone.

I gave this book 5 stars becasue I like the story line. I like how it shows his struggles as well as his highs. The illustrations are very detailed and give the reader the chance to feel their emotions.

[Valeria Ayala-Nazario · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very fun book. This book teaches young readers that its okay to wear glasses and not feel embarrassed about wearing them or being called four-eyes. This book has great images, but the character on the cover does not look like the character in the book. They are drawn differently. Arthur is a TV character, and this might throw off young readers because of the facial differences of the characters in the book and the ones shown on TV. There is not a lot of rich word choice and the sentences are simple, but there is a great dialogue between characters and a lot of narration.

[Tahlor Kimble · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to watch this TV show when I was younger so it was really cool to be able to read this book. I thought it was a really good way of showing kids what it's like to have to need glasses. I think this could show kids that it is also fine to wear glasses even if people make fun of you for it. Also it shows that it is ok to be different from everyone else. The illustrations are a little different from the Arthur tv show but they still do a great job of giving us an idea of what the story is about and all of the emotions.

[Suhad Albaat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an amazing book to have in the classroom to read to students or even a bedtime story. My little brother had to get glasses in first grade and he was afraid to wear them to school because people made fun of him, like Arthur was going through. Reading this in the classroom, students would realize that it is not right to make fun of other kids because it is bullying and anybody can get glasses at any given time.

[Mykenna Baker · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book would be good to read to teach kindness. During this book, some of the characters make fun of Arthur because he cant read or make any baskets with the basketball. He then gets glasses because he couldn't see and everyone makes fun of him again. Then they realize that they need him because he is smart. You could read this to students to tell them what not to do. Making fun of people is not nice and hurts peoples feelings.

[Paige Freisen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that this book is great to read to a student who is just getting glasses for the first time. I believe having a book in the classroom like this can really help a student see themselves differently especially now that they have glasses and can see everything. Also having a character that a student can relate to will also help them become more comfortable with themselves and the new change they are going through in their life.