In a recent discussion on the Teach Preschool page on Facebook, one of my readers suggested I check out “The Looking Book” by Patrice Barton. So, of course, I tracked down a copy of the book and loved it immediately…
“The Looking Book” is about two little guys who would rather sit inside all day and watch cartoons until their mom comes up with the genius idea of giving both boys a pair of lookers. The boys wonder what the lookers are for and then with mom’s help, realize that the lookers are for going outside and looking…
As the boys begin their looking adventure, they discover lots of really cool things outside and decide that spending time outdoors is a fun idea after all…
Now just so you know, whether you have a copy of this book or not, anyone can certainly introduce the idea of going on a looking walk. All you need is a pair of cheap plastic glasses without the lens or you can make a pair of lookers if you happen to be really creative. Add your lookers and come up with your own tale to tell the children about going on a looking walk…
After reading “The Looking Book,” I gave each child their own pair of lookers to wear. The whole idea of wearing “lookers” was fascinating to the children. Before going outside, everyone tried on their lookers and then we all looked up, then down, then side-to-side and stopped after each turn to shout out what we could see with our lookers on. This helped us practice the skill of looking through lookers. Next, I invited the children to go and grab their jackets so we could head outdoors and go on a real looking walk.
I purchased packages of cheap kids glasses you get in the party supply area at our local Walmart then actually punched all the lenses out. I saved the lenses just in case an idea of something we can do with them occurs to me in the near future.
The children looked everywhere and would often run to show Mr. Hayden what they found while they were looking…
By the end of our book, the two boys realized that they didn’t really need lookers to enjoy going outside to play and explore and it wasn’t long before most of my students discovered that they really didn’t need them either…
A wonderful way to inspire my students to get outdoors and explore all around them…
Available on Amazon
Links to Grow on
Try going outside for a Listening Walk too by Teach Preschool
The Looking Book is also available from Ideals Books
What a cute idea. Gonna do this! Thanks.
What a great idea! We often go on Urban Hikes (as we call them, being a preschool in the city) and we try to connect the hike with what we are learning at the time be it the letter or number of the week or a the theme we are covering – I love the “lookers” idea!
Love this idea! I went to Amazon to see if I could order the book, but it seems like the price starts at no less than $35 and goes up from there. 🙁
If you look at the end of my post, I share that you can purchase the book from the publisher at regular pricing. I hope that helps!
Here is the link: https://www.idealsbooks.com/The-Looking-Book-P-Hallinan/dp/0824956079
I am from Australia and your site has helped me so much. I can’t thank you enough for sharing your ideas.