Have you ever wondered how someone who needs glasses in the outback gets them with no local optometrist around?
Wonder no more as you meet one of the many optometrists in Australia who regularly fly to remote areas such as Wanarring and Tiboburra to give eye check ups to people who need them most.
The Flying optometrist by Joanne Anderton and illustrated by Karen Erasmus is one of those picture books that intrigues you straight away. We meet Stephanie, a young girl who has broken the glasses she needs to wear everyday – but as we can see from the dusty illustrations, she lives in a very small and remote town and cannot get them fixed straight away like many people who live in more urban areas can.
And that is where we meet the Flying Optometrist!
The size of his plane is something to worry about as he navigates storms but with great flying skills he makes it – just a day late – and is ready to help those in need.
This picture book really teaches those who aren’t aware of flying medical practitioners just how important they are to these small towns. Without people who are willing to spend time flying around, these Australians wouldn’t get the help they need.
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Karen Erasmus’ illustrations give the feel of the dry and desolate outback, the small population of the town and the importance of a town centre. Joanne’s words paint the story of those unsung heroes who use their skills as often as they can to help those in need.
This picture book is based on fact and there is some excellent information at the end of the story where you can discuss with children about how the Royal Flying Doctor Service started, what they do, who this book is based on and the Brien Holden Vision Institute.
I really enjoy books that are based on real-life stories or information as it is a great way to learn.
This information at the back is a great way to end the story – and when you read it again (which you will) you and your children and students will be able to ask so many more questions and wonder so much more.
Check out this interview with Joanne Anderton and her Father, Philip Anderton.
Teacher notes can be found here
And some more teaching ideas:
Exploring people and problem solving.
- Find out more about Philip Anderton or another flying optometrist.
- Explore where medical professionals needs to fly to in Australia.
- What is the Brien Holden vision institute and where do they fly to?
- If we didn’t have medical professionals willing to fly planes, what would happen to people of the outback? Or what changes would we need to make?
- If medical professionals can’t get to a town what else could they do?
Creative thinking
- Explore some other books which are written as picture books but are based on a true story.
- Can you write your own short story or picture book based on a true story?
- Create a way in which people who live in these remote areas can get better help in the future.
