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Baby-Sitters Little Sister Graphic Novels #5
Karen's School Picture
Another graphic novel in this fun series spin-off of The Baby-sitters Club, featuring Kristy's little stepsister!
Karen has to get glasses! She doesn't want them, especially because school pictures are going to be taken soon. But she picks out some pretty pink ones and thinks she looks very grown-up.
Then Yicky Ricky at school starts calling her names, like Owl Girl and Googly Eyes. If Karen wears her glasses for the school picture, Ricky will make fun of her. If she doesn't wear them, she'll feel like she's afraid to be herself. Glasses or no glasses, that Ricky is going to get it!
Karen has to get glasses! She doesn't want them, especially because school pictures are going to be taken soon. But she picks out some pretty pink ones and thinks she looks very grown-up.
Then Yicky Ricky at school starts calling her names, like Owl Girl and Googly Eyes. If Karen wears her glasses for the school picture, Ricky will make fun of her. If she doesn't wear them, she'll feel like she's afraid to be herself. Glasses or no glasses, that Ricky is going to get it!
128 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2022
721 people are currently reading
1402 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
March 25, 2022
Karen's unhappy when it turns out she needs glasses just in time for school pictures. It's a fairly typical take on the subject, with reluctance to wear the glasses and teasing from a classmate all resolved in time for a happy ending, but I enjoyed it all the same. Karen seems more reasonable, perhaps because the book has jumped ahead to 2nd grade, and she has actually matured slightly.
If you are worried about spoilers, changes to the Brewer household are shown here that have not yet occurred in the main Baby-Sitters graphic novel series and do not occur in the novel series until book #24.
If you are worried about spoilers, changes to the Brewer household are shown here that have not yet occurred in the main Baby-Sitters graphic novel series and do not occur in the novel series until book #24.
June 26, 2022
Pretty cute graphic novel for younger readers. Love Karen's attitude and optimism. The storyline is nothing original, but the family dynamics are so sweet it's worth the 30-minute read.
February 25, 2022
Another great blast from the past! I remember when I first got glasses and am glad I didn't have anyone bully me about them!
February 13, 2022
I really liked this one except for the glaring plot hole of them adopting an entire sibling and never mentioning how/why/when
January 5, 2026
I never read this series because i read Heidi Heckelbeck books more often! But i like this series because it tells me so much more and more seasons why! Karen got new glasses in the book and Tommy was being sooooooo rude! He was calling her names like: owl girl hoot hoot and you smell! At the end he said sorry!
January 31, 2023
Another adventure with Karen and family. Karen discovers she needs glasses right before school picture day and we follow along with her as she becomes accustomed to wearing them. She isn’t the brattiest character in this volume which I call a win! Lol.
November 10, 2024
Love it
October 26, 2025
Wow, I’m actually surprised…. This book was pretty good! Usually, I walk away from Karen books shaking my head, wondering why she’s such a brat, and why kids read a story with such a unlikable protagonist. But here…. Here I actually didn’t only really like Karen, I thought the whole story was well done!
We begin with Karen’s teacher announcing to the class that school picture day will be in two weeks. Karen and her best friends, Nancy and Hannie, are over the moon excited! They can’t wait to dress up, and give their best ‘movie star’ smiles for the photos! But while talking excitedly to her mom in the car, Karen flinches from a sudden pain in her head. She’s been getting these headaches a lot recently…but they always go away by the time she gets home. However, while reading a bedtime story with Kristy, the pain suddenly returns, staying with her even as she goes to sleep. What could be going on….?
And the next day, since it is rainy, her parents suggest everyone takes turns reading a story together in the living room. Now, I really doubt her older brothers especially would all be willing to read together (we do see Sam looking bored though, so it’s not too inaccurate, I suppose?) But regardless, when it’s Karen’s turn to read, she suddenly feels pain in her head again, and doesn't want to read anymore. Kristy is wise enough to notice the connection, and her parents realize that Karen…
Might need glasses!
But glasses are just about the last thing Karen wants!! So the next day, she pretends her head and eyes don’t hurt anymore at all, even though they do. She even goes the extra mile, offering to pour Andrew some milk to have along with cookies. But because she can’t see very well, she just keeps pouring and pouring….
Until the milk is spilling all over!
Upset, Karen apologizes, and tries to run away- but ends up stepping on Rocky’s (one of her cats) tail!! This causes the child to have a complete meltdown, sobbing into the couch. Patting her on the mom, her mom tries to offer some comfort, telling her she made an eye appointment, and things will be better soon. At this point, Karen doesn’t really know how to feel….
At the eye doctors, Karen draws a picture of everyone in her house but her wearing glasses. She still really hopes she doesn’t need them, after all! But as it turns out, she unsurprisingly needs them quite badly! So she goes with her mom to pick out some frames… but every single one looks yucky! That is, until she finds pink ones….in those, she still looks pretty much like Karen Brewer!
When heading over to show Nancy, her parents and her are very kind and encouraging to Karen. Still, she doesn’t feel quite prepared for school… what will everyone else think!?! At first, every child is kind, and Karen starts to feel better… until RICKY enters, and begins calling her ‘owl girl’. Karen is annoyed, but also tries to ignore it, but his words still get to her. So the next week….
She decides does to just ‘forget’ her glasses when heading to school! Now, I found this a pretty big plot-hole. She left them AT HOME. Her mother or Nancy’s parents drive her to school, right? None of them noticed? Really!? Anyway, her plan backfires, beucase her mom actually comes to school, scolds Karen, and gives her the glasses. Ricky makes fun of Karen even more, and she decides one thing….
She will get back at Ricky!
So, she writes a list of various mean things she can do to him, like call him stinky, or tell him his eyes turned orange. She thinks that many of the things are too mean to actually do, but writing them down makes her feel better, and she wants the list to have 10 things, anyway. However, he’s not at school the next day…?
And when he returns, he has glasses?! Hannie and Nancy don’t waste any time in teasing him, but….
It doesn’t feel right to Karen? Teasing made her feel horrible, so why make him feel the same way? And so, she throws away her list of ways to get revenge. But that doesn’t make things just magically become easy! When Ricky is being bullied by some boys, Karen does the right thing, by standing up for him- but her just calls her a nosy owl!! The comment hurts a lot, and more and more, Karen doesn’t know what to do about wearing glasses for the school picture. Should she take them off? Or keep them on?
Nancy tries to offer a bit of support, telling her that some movie stars wear glasses, and some don’t. Add to that Kristy showing her tons of pictures of famous people who wear glasses, and Karen has been encouraged a lot. Still, she doesn’t know exactly what to do…
Ricky takes off his glasses for the picture, but should she? She wants to look normal in the photo, but if she takes her glasses off, she’ll feel like a wimp… but seeing other girls with glasses, and how they don’ hide their smile at all…
Karen has made her choice,
I thought this book was quite good, and taught important lessons! Karen gives up on getting back at someone, and finds that she is beautiful whether or not she wears glasses. Best yet, she didn’t act like a brat really at all here! I’d totally recommend getting this for a child, to prepare them for wearing glasses!
(This book contains childish bullying. I would give it an age rating if all-ages.)
We begin with Karen’s teacher announcing to the class that school picture day will be in two weeks. Karen and her best friends, Nancy and Hannie, are over the moon excited! They can’t wait to dress up, and give their best ‘movie star’ smiles for the photos! But while talking excitedly to her mom in the car, Karen flinches from a sudden pain in her head. She’s been getting these headaches a lot recently…but they always go away by the time she gets home. However, while reading a bedtime story with Kristy, the pain suddenly returns, staying with her even as she goes to sleep. What could be going on….?
And the next day, since it is rainy, her parents suggest everyone takes turns reading a story together in the living room. Now, I really doubt her older brothers especially would all be willing to read together (we do see Sam looking bored though, so it’s not too inaccurate, I suppose?) But regardless, when it’s Karen’s turn to read, she suddenly feels pain in her head again, and doesn't want to read anymore. Kristy is wise enough to notice the connection, and her parents realize that Karen…
Might need glasses!
But glasses are just about the last thing Karen wants!! So the next day, she pretends her head and eyes don’t hurt anymore at all, even though they do. She even goes the extra mile, offering to pour Andrew some milk to have along with cookies. But because she can’t see very well, she just keeps pouring and pouring….
Until the milk is spilling all over!
Upset, Karen apologizes, and tries to run away- but ends up stepping on Rocky’s (one of her cats) tail!! This causes the child to have a complete meltdown, sobbing into the couch. Patting her on the mom, her mom tries to offer some comfort, telling her she made an eye appointment, and things will be better soon. At this point, Karen doesn’t really know how to feel….
At the eye doctors, Karen draws a picture of everyone in her house but her wearing glasses. She still really hopes she doesn’t need them, after all! But as it turns out, she unsurprisingly needs them quite badly! So she goes with her mom to pick out some frames… but every single one looks yucky! That is, until she finds pink ones….in those, she still looks pretty much like Karen Brewer!
When heading over to show Nancy, her parents and her are very kind and encouraging to Karen. Still, she doesn’t feel quite prepared for school… what will everyone else think!?! At first, every child is kind, and Karen starts to feel better… until RICKY enters, and begins calling her ‘owl girl’. Karen is annoyed, but also tries to ignore it, but his words still get to her. So the next week….
She decides does to just ‘forget’ her glasses when heading to school! Now, I found this a pretty big plot-hole. She left them AT HOME. Her mother or Nancy’s parents drive her to school, right? None of them noticed? Really!? Anyway, her plan backfires, beucase her mom actually comes to school, scolds Karen, and gives her the glasses. Ricky makes fun of Karen even more, and she decides one thing….
She will get back at Ricky!
So, she writes a list of various mean things she can do to him, like call him stinky, or tell him his eyes turned orange. She thinks that many of the things are too mean to actually do, but writing them down makes her feel better, and she wants the list to have 10 things, anyway. However, he’s not at school the next day…?
And when he returns, he has glasses?! Hannie and Nancy don’t waste any time in teasing him, but….
It doesn’t feel right to Karen? Teasing made her feel horrible, so why make him feel the same way? And so, she throws away her list of ways to get revenge. But that doesn’t make things just magically become easy! When Ricky is being bullied by some boys, Karen does the right thing, by standing up for him- but her just calls her a nosy owl!! The comment hurts a lot, and more and more, Karen doesn’t know what to do about wearing glasses for the school picture. Should she take them off? Or keep them on?
Nancy tries to offer a bit of support, telling her that some movie stars wear glasses, and some don’t. Add to that Kristy showing her tons of pictures of famous people who wear glasses, and Karen has been encouraged a lot. Still, she doesn’t know exactly what to do…
Ricky takes off his glasses for the picture, but should she? She wants to look normal in the photo, but if she takes her glasses off, she’ll feel like a wimp… but seeing other girls with glasses, and how they don’ hide their smile at all…
Karen has made her choice,
I thought this book was quite good, and taught important lessons! Karen gives up on getting back at someone, and finds that she is beautiful whether or not she wears glasses. Best yet, she didn’t act like a brat really at all here! I’d totally recommend getting this for a child, to prepare them for wearing glasses!
(This book contains childish bullying. I would give it an age rating if all-ages.)
January 7, 2026
I feel it wasn’t really my jam. But I think I did like the other books. I do love graphic novels but I don’t think I liked this. I don’t like how the characters behave. I also don’t like how Ricky was mean to Karen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. the pictures were adorable, the story was cute.
May 5, 2023
This book was really good and I chose this one because I love the babysitters club books so I found this! Karen has to get glasses because she can’t see without them.
It’s school pictures soon and Ricky makes fun of her and calls her names. On school picture day, Ricky takes off his glasses for the photo. But she sees her teacher and friends all wearing their glasses. She made HER decision. She was keeping her glasses on! Ricky apologized to Karen and they had a good school photos!
Honor ♥️
It’s school pictures soon and Ricky makes fun of her and calls her names. On school picture day, Ricky takes off his glasses for the photo. But she sees her teacher and friends all wearing their glasses. She made HER decision. She was keeping her glasses on! Ricky apologized to Karen and they had a good school photos!
Honor ♥️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2022
obviously light-hearted and fun since it's directed for 8-10 years olds I think. Read just because I liked the baby sitters graphic novel series and the little sisters series is similar just based on Kristy's little sister Karen.
February 2, 2022
3.5 -- Not my favourite in the series, but as an adult, I can super relate to Karen's glasses delimma.
February 3, 2022
Super cute and reminded me of my glasses days. Can't wait for the next one.
February 4, 2022
I'm glad she likes your glasses!!!!
May 28, 2023
It kind of funny because he called her owl eyes and she cried
But yeah I guess I liked this book it was ok
But yeah I guess I liked this book it was ok
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2023
I am fully 28 and I'm blasting through these books for the nostalgia. Absolutely amazing, no regrets. I do miss how super 90s the originals were, but this is such a cute modernization!!!
September 23, 2025
Great compassion on Karen’s. It wasn’t easy, but she managed it.
October 22, 2025
Super cute. Adding to classroom library!
December 14, 2022
She has glasses like me lol
February 27, 2022
Ah, getting glasses for the first time. I remember that 🤓 This was a cute story about Karen getting her new glasses, how she adjusts to them, and how she helps out a friend who needs them as well.
October 7, 2024
That boy is so rude. PS it’s me out. But he got what he deserved🤬
July 11, 2024
Better than the previous book tbh, ✨I LOVE IT✨
Review to come soon.
_____________________________________________________
✨Review time✨
Well…i did it…i finished my challenge.
I know it’s been 3 weeks since i started this challenge, but here we are, the end of a not-so-long challenge.
*Round of applause*
*and then slowly fades away*
Thank you, thank you, and now, here we are, the review.
I happened to like this book so much more than book 4, it was SOOO fast and SOOO addictive to read that i read this book in a day (almost).
And the characters are so likable in this one, Karen is slowly becoming better, she may have still been the old Karen, but she was very enjoyable in this book.
Hannie is still the same old Hannie that I loved, love her 🫶🏻
And in this book, I really liked Nancy alot more, in the previous book, she was SUCH a drama queen, but in this book, she SOO MUCH BETTER, love her development ❤️.
The only reason why I’m going to give this book a 4.5 ⭐️ is because of Ricky, I JUST ABSOLUTELY HATE HIM!!!
But regardless, at least i enjoyed the book, SOOO glad it doesn’t have friend drama 😁
_____________________________________________________
Checklist:
Karen’s witch: ✅, 4.75 ⭐️
Karen’s roller skates: ✅, 5 ⭐️
Karen’s worst day: ✅, 3.5 ⭐️
Karen’s kittycat club: ✅, 2.25 ⭐️
Karen’s school picture: ✅, 4.5 ⭐️
FINALLY!! I FINISHED MY CHALLENGE!!!!
Thank you guys so so so much for reading my review of book 5, it honestly almost takes a while for me to complete this challenge because i have ALOT of books to continue reading, but it’s honestly so worth it :)
Thank you and goodbye.
*Round of applause*
……………
Ok, i am acting like it’s from a broadway show, but I’m just doing this for fun :), that’s all, now—really this time—thank you for reading my review.
Review to come soon.
_____________________________________________________
✨Review time✨
Well…i did it…i finished my challenge.
I know it’s been 3 weeks since i started this challenge, but here we are, the end of a not-so-long challenge.
*Round of applause*
*and then slowly fades away*
Thank you, thank you, and now, here we are, the review.
I happened to like this book so much more than book 4, it was SOOO fast and SOOO addictive to read that i read this book in a day (almost).
And the characters are so likable in this one, Karen is slowly becoming better, she may have still been the old Karen, but she was very enjoyable in this book.
Hannie is still the same old Hannie that I loved, love her 🫶🏻
And in this book, I really liked Nancy alot more, in the previous book, she was SUCH a drama queen, but in this book, she SOO MUCH BETTER, love her development ❤️.
The only reason why I’m going to give this book a 4.5 ⭐️ is because of Ricky, I JUST ABSOLUTELY HATE HIM!!!
But regardless, at least i enjoyed the book, SOOO glad it doesn’t have friend drama 😁
_____________________________________________________
Checklist:
Karen’s witch: ✅, 4.75 ⭐️
Karen’s roller skates: ✅, 5 ⭐️
Karen’s worst day: ✅, 3.5 ⭐️
Karen’s kittycat club: ✅, 2.25 ⭐️
Karen’s school picture: ✅, 4.5 ⭐️
FINALLY!! I FINISHED MY CHALLENGE!!!!
Thank you guys so so so much for reading my review of book 5, it honestly almost takes a while for me to complete this challenge because i have ALOT of books to continue reading, but it’s honestly so worth it :)
Thank you and goodbye.
*Round of applause*
……………
Ok, i am acting like it’s from a broadway show, but I’m just doing this for fun :), that’s all, now—really this time—thank you for reading my review.
February 11, 2022
Super cute and relatable! I know I read the Little Sister books when I was younger (even if I don't remember the plots AT ALL) and I can totally see why I gravitated to them instead of the Baby-sitter's Club. I am much more like Karen (even the bratty parts lol). This book was great with showing the feelings of getting glasses (I remember vividly getting mine). I didn't love the interactions with Ricky because I think Karen forgave him a little too quickly for how horrible he was. But I still really liked the book!
November 22, 2025
3.5 stars. It brought back long forgotten memories about glasses and the teasing that ensued at school once I got them. Not in a bad way, but how I stressed myself out and my overinflated concerns on how others would now see me. Again, I love how these books address childhood events in ways that kids can relate to
July 3, 2022
Cute story about a young girl being nervous when she gets glasses. One of the boys makes fun of her for her glasses and she finds a way to be nice to him despite how he is treating her. Illustrations were done well and would definitely be a book younger kids would enjoy.
September 24, 2022
Cute story about how a young girl adjusts to needing glasses in 2022 - because people still tease about this.
Great for kids ages 5 to 9 - which is why I read it - to prep for my tutoring student who loves this series.
Great for kids ages 5 to 9 - which is why I read it - to prep for my tutoring student who loves this series.
February 8, 2022
Loved it!
February 14, 2022
*3.5*
Karen stands up for herself, learning lessons of kindness and acceptance. These BSLS and BSC graphic novels are the perfect blend of nostalgia and escapism.
Karen stands up for herself, learning lessons of kindness and acceptance. These BSLS and BSC graphic novels are the perfect blend of nostalgia and escapism.
February 14, 2023
I love this book because ..........
I really like how she shows you how to make yourself feel good.I also like how it shows you the two different types of houses people live in
I really like how she shows you how to make yourself feel good.I also like how it shows you the two different types of houses people live in
Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews