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Eye Matters |
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Kids displaying ‘Specsophobia’? Randy Kazandy saves the day!
Introducing spectacles to a child can be one of the toughest things a parent can do. Rhonda Fischer’s book ‘Randy Kazandy, Where Are Your Glasses?’ can help in teaching the child to love their spectacles and themselves.
It’s not easy for a child to accept that they need spectacles. In fact, the experience can be traumatising.
It won’t come as a surprise that they immediately conjure images of their friends making fun of them and calling them names like ‘four-eyes’ and the like. Many will try to conveniently lose their spectacles in their many attempts to deal with reality. While this is no laughing matter, this is the subject of Rhonda Fischer’s funny and endearing children’s book -- ‘Randy Kazandy, Where Are Your Glasses?’. Using the example
of spectacles, the book teaches children to love themselves no matter what challenge they may face. Written in rhyming verse, the book is a ‘fun-read’ that will surely make the reader laugh and enjoy the story.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Rhonda Fischer’s book is about Randy Kazandy, a boy who is in need of spectacles. The rhyming story tells us the problems Randy faces because of his eyesight - how he is unable to focus on things, or how he walks in circles or how he finds it difficult to read books or catch an approaching ball. Finally, the book says, ‘Mom said “We must visit the fun Dr. Bee to find out why Randy Kazandy can’t see.”’
When he is told by the doctor that he needs glasses, Randy finds it hard to accept how the spectacles
make him look. In fact, when he tries on the spectacles, he sees his reflection in the mirror and sees an
alien from outer space looking back at him wearing the spectacles. And here starts the adventure. Randy
starts 'misplacing' or 'accidentally' breaking his spectacles in the most ingenious ways. Sometimes, he is seen stepping on his glasses ‘accidentally’ or burying them in the sand pit. He once lets the car back up over the glasses, and we also see that one time his spectacles strangely find their way into the garbage bin. Randy’s mother, however, is always one step ahead and has several extra pairs of spectacles for Randy. Randy keeps misplacing his spectacles in this way until the day Randy’s father finds out that he also needs to wear spectacles. This is a crucial point in the book. His father tells Randy, “Now I look a bit more like you.” This changes Randy’s perspective and he begins to accept the new adventure with his spectacles with
an open mind. “I’m proud of you, son” are the golden words that changes the way Randy looks at his spectacles.
The colourful illustrations of Kim Sponaugle make the story even more engaging. Further, each page
has a pair of spectacles hidden, and this makes reading about Randy Kazandy’s adventures even more fun and interesting for the reader - be it a child or an adult.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO CHILDREN
It goes without saying that children often find new situations and changes traumatising. Sometimes, a simple eye test can bring upon them a sense of foreboding. Their fear of being different from their friends can lead to a resistance to change. It is here that Rhonda Fischer’s book can be of help. The keepsake message of the book is ‘I love being me’. The book offers the chance to discuss several issues like self esteem, the fear of being different from other children, and how to turn a traumatic situation to acceptance.
Perhaps the most important lessons a child can learn from Randy Kazandy’s experience is that there is nothing wrong in wearing spectacles. It teaches children to love themselves, and all the things that makes them unique. What's more, the child is also made aware of the fun aspect of choosing one’s eyewear given the varied colours and shapes available today. All in all, the book teaches that wearing spectacles is an adventure in every sense.
RESPONSE TO THE BOOK
The response to ‘Randy Kazandy, Where Are Your Glasses’ has been overwhelming, to say the least. The book has won a number of awards since it was launched last year. Parents and teachers have also responded with many thanks to Author Rhonda Fischer in helping their children and students to deal with their new spectacles. The author has also been touring the United States for readings of the book for children, bringing the message of ‘I love being me’. That’s not all, Rhonda Fischer is now joining hands with 'Ooh la la de Paris' to create their funky new designer glasses for kids!
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