The Flying Optometrist
written by Joanne Anderton. illustrated by Karen Erasmus
Published by the National Library of Australia, in association with the Brien Holden Vision Institute
ISBN: 9780642279132
RRP: $24.99
Pages: 36
Publication Date: April 2018
Bind Format: Hardback
Age range: 4+
The Flying Optometrist travels in his little red aeroplane from his practice in the city to a remote outback town. Lots of people are waiting for him! Aunty can’t see well enough to carve her emu eggs and Bill the plumber has a splinter in his eye. Young Stephanie can’t wait for him to arrive as she has broken her glasses and can’t join in games of cricket and have fun with her friends – she can’t see the ball! Hurry up Flying Optometrist! Where is he? Is he lost?
The townsfolk wait with bated breath until finally the Flying Optometrist’s little red plane appears, having only just missed a bad storm. A big meal waits for him in the local hotel. Then starts work checking eyesight. The Flying Optometrist doesn’t have long, but he helps as many people as he can. He returns to the city but Stephanie has to wait a little longer for an exciting package to come – her new glasses!
This children’s picture book is inspired by my own father, Dr Phil Anderton, and the work he does in remote and rural NSW with the help of his little red plane.
Available online from Booktopia, or in store at all good bookstores!
‘An absolutely beautiful picture book about a flying optometrist and what it is like to live in a very small town in Australia.’ — Reviewed by Partyline: The magazine for good health and wellbeing in rural and remote Australia.
‘The story bridges fact and a good cracking Aussie yarn but that has vital eye health messages.’ — Good Vision for Life
‘The story is engaging and informative and could lead to so many mini research adventures as outlined in the teachers’ notes below.’ — Review and a great set of teacher’s notes are available here, from Children’s Books Daily.
‘Wonderfully created with bright colourful illustrations used to reach out to children of a wide age range, The Flying Optometrist brings the little known world of remote Australia to life.’ — Blue Wolf Reviews
Interviewed live on air at Studio 10. Watch it here.
Interviewed on ABC radio Life Matters. Listen to it here.
