Penny the Pirate allows you to read with your child whilst following three simple eye screenings that will help identify if your child may be having issues with their vision and would benefit from an eye test.
The Penny the Pirate book comes with a screening kit and full instructions to make screening your child’s vision at home a simple process. The instructions also help you evaluate the results of your child’s screening and decide whether or not your child would benefit from a professional eye test with an optometrist.
Here’s what Mouths of Mums members are saying about Penny the Pirate – OPSM Kids Book …
Find out more about Penny the Pirate – OPSM Kids Book …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvkC3r2z9ok
Here’s what you need to do for this review …
Watch the Video & Read the Instructions
Please read the instructions inside the Instruction Booklet included with Penny the Pirate – these are very detailed and will tell you exactly what to do and how to get the most out of reading Penny the Pirate with your children.You should then watch the instructional videos for either the Penny the Pirate book or the Penny the Pirate App.
http://youtu.be/mOc0ryLmfYg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsvXGHed4ws
Read the Book & take the Screenings
We suggest reading Penny the Pirate and conducting the screenings in a nice quiet spot when you have some time to spare. It’s also a good idea to focus on one child at a time. Follow the story and pay particular attention when you get to the pages that contain the screenings. Have a pencil handy and keep note of your child’s responses in your instruction booklet so you have them on hand when you enter them online.
Get your Results
Once you’ve read Penny the Pirate and completed all the screenings, click GET YOUR RESULTS. Then follow the prompts to enter your child’s answers from the screenings. Once you’ve completed this, OPSM will let you know what your child’s answers mean and what you should do next.
Post your Review
Once you’ve read the book and completed the screenings with each of your children, post your reviews and your ratings on this page.
Remember it’s important to post from a first-hand point of view – feel free to post one review for each of your children depending on your experience with each child.
Pass it On!
Penny the Pirate is very important to the eyecare of children across Australia, so please pass your copy on when you’ve finished with it and encourage others to do the same. There’s enough space in the instructions booklet to record multiple children’s results, so have a think of anyone you might know who might find this useful.
If you have any concerns about your child’s eye health, please contact your local OPSM store or Book an Eye Test Online.
OPSM is committed to improving the eye health of children across Australia and New Zealand. This product allows you to screen your child’s vision and will help discover whether they would benefit from a professional eye test with an optometrist. This product is the first step in understanding your child’s vision, but it does not replace a full eye test. If you have any concerns about your child’s eye health, please contact your local OPSM store.
Penny the Pirate does not replace a full eye test with an optometrist, it is designed to help parents identify whether a child may need an eye test. Optometrists recommend an eye test at least once every two years or more frequently depending on clinical need. Kit required, available free in store or free to order online.
*Available on complete kids glasses (frame and Active lenses) sold from 15/6/14. Only available for children under 12. Breakage guarantee offered in addition to the Australian Consumer Law rights. ^Price includes frame and Active lenses. Further terms & conditions apply, click here for full details.
My child loves to go back and read the penny the pirate book, use the eye piece just for fun. Its enjoyable even when your not testing the eyes and the eye piece can make you see 3D and my daughter loves it. Its good to keep your families eye health, healthy and am really glad that I have the OPSM Kids book handy, for myself, our family and friends.
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
We have Penny the Pirate OPSM Kids Book at home and I’d definitely recommend for every family to have one. Family’s eye health is so important and to make sure your child has the right eye care is number 1. It was very easy to follow the written and video instructions and my daughter really enjoyed reading the story (with help) and screening her eyes to find out if she will need glasses. Its a very clever idea and really enjoyed it. Thanks.
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
brilliant idea, and the fact it was so interactive. The kids loved it and didnt have any idea it was like a test. i will be passing this on to my friends to benefit also
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
Excellent idea, much better than a abc chart we had as kids.
We always remember to get teeth check ,well eyes are also important to check regularly. Have passed our pirate book on . Thanks mouth of mums
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
This book was easy to follow,our 4yr old enjoyed the story &eye activityOur 13 yr old joined in also ,the kids have good site .Great idea eye care is important.
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
My two boys aged 6&8 have varying degrees of dsypraxia and language delays and I found this book to be a game changer for me as my boys were totally engaged and enjoying reading and wanted to read it again and again.was easy to follow instructions and a thoroughly enjoyable story so many thanks
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
My youngest was very keen to get into this. He sat still and done everything they he needed to do and loved it. And then my eldest wanted to give to a go. I have taken my youngest to an eye specialist and she was very pleased to know about the book and I had found etc. so thank you. Highly recommend.
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
This is a great book. The story is great. The interactive part of the book is fun. My four year old wants to read the book each night. This week is book week so he went to school dressed as a private because this book is his favourite. We have booked to have his eyes checked as the book has identified an issue.
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
This is a great book. Both my kids loved it! I was seriously going to take my son to get his eyes tested but this book arrived and now I am satisfied that I don’t need too!!
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
My child loves to go back and read the penny the pirate book, use the eye piece just for fun. Its enjoyable even when your not testing the eyes and the eye piece can make you see 3D and my daughter loves it. Its good to keep your families eye health, healthy and am really glad that I have the OPSM Kids book handy, for myself, our family and friends.
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
We have Penny the Pirate OPSM Kids Book at home and I’d definitely recommend for every family to have one. Family’s eye health is so important and to make sure your child has the right eye care is number 1. It was very easy to follow the written and video instructions and my daughter really enjoyed reading the story (with help) and screening her eyes to find out if she will need glasses. Its a very clever idea and really enjoyed it. Thanks.
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
I really think all parents should do this before their children start their first year at school. It opened my eyes (pun intended) to watching my daughters sight.
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
This was an easy to read book and helped a lot with screening at home of my sons eyes I would not do it younger then 6-8 yr old but I found that my 2 yr old loved the story too. Will be using this again latter when he is a bit older to help see if there is a problem that need so work.
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
Overall the book was great. The kids loved the little test/activities in the book, but we would of loved a few more. The instructions were easy to follow. The story and illustrations were ok, the kids didn’t really pay that much attention to them as they didn’t find them “pretty”. It was a bit hard for the kids to understand what was asked with the skeleton and the ring. Overall it was an interesting concept.
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
I got the kit and download the app The instruction video had no sound but it was easy to know what the instructions were. we loves it and thinks it is amazing. I still stick to thinking it could do a bit more with the idea as there are only a few areas to check the eyes. But it is a great interactive concept. would recommender to all friends and family
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
My little one loved this book it had great illustrations with lots of detail and makes it more fun for the little one. The chracters and the wording of the books was very age approiate for the 2-7 age group. I loved reading this book to my little one we both found it very interesting and best part the book was free. Great book.
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
i just saw the other day, that i could grab a pack online and it was free. a lot of people haven’t mentioned that on here but i was thrilled that i got to try this. my pack arrived pretty quickly and we decided to try it straight away. the pack actually came with a decent amount of stuff! a little box that you can put a lens into called a spyglass, a pirate patch, booklets and 3d glasses etc.
the only thing that i would fault it on is that the pirate patch’s cord was so short. my just 2 year old screamed and didn’t want it on and there was no way that i was going to be able to put it on my other children. we ended up putting it on a toy.
I wasn’t able to test my two year old at this time of writing because he was tired and didn’t want to co-operate and sit there– which was a reflection of his state, not the test. also i don’t think he would understand too much to be able to relay “results” to me but i was still curious to try. i don’t see an age recommendation anywhere but my eldest child is in school and therefore has had her proper eye tests but this was still good to use with my three year old. she was very interested in it.
there are three main aspects that this booklet tests for and they are distance, colour and depth perception. it was very easy to go through the process and it didn’t take very long.
the book was cute and my children liked looking at it. testing was easy and they are designed to give you an idea of whether you should take your child to an optometrist. it does remind you that you use this as a guide and not a substitute for the eye doctor.
i think that you should grab a pack and give it a go or get a pack for a friend
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
I got this as I was concerned about my daughter squinting, what felt like, all the time. It was easy to use and Miss 3 enjoyed the story and participating in it. Thankfully, by completing the story it just showed that she was a squinter (follow up with our optometrist confirmed it.). What it also demonstrated was that I needed to get my eyes rechecked. The optometrist was impressed that such an easy concept was providing a start point for eye health.
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
Abosolutely loved penny the pirate. It wasnt just good for testing eye sight but it also helped my younger girl to start reading. She enjoyed looking at the pictures and telling me everything that was in there. I highly recommend penny the pirate to everyone and make it fun for the kids not just a test. Its easy to follow the instructions and the tests are really easy to conduct. We had no issues with penny the pirate. Love love love it
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
well today i had my friend around and give her son this book he though it was great he love the story and was interested in the illustrations. as they are great and come alive, i do show this book to all of my friends and now i am sending it up to my friend in queensland its just the best book story is great the pic come to alive and the illustrations and great once again thank you for such a great book
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
Well I have had this book for a few months now. My son still lives reading this and testing his eyes and yes his eyes are great, but we have our friends kids to have a go and they just live it same needed to go and get there eye check and needed glasses is one great book and the kids love how it comes to life well done on this book
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
As I am a teacher, I took my copy into school and have used the book with many of the children in the class – particularly ones suspected of having vision difficulties. I have already spoken to a couple of parents about their child’s results and they will be following up with an optometrist. I am currently organising a list of names of families who would like to borrow the book for a few days to test others in the family. This resource is amazing because it is so readily available to everyone and its free so the disadvantaged financially or due to remote location don’t have to miss out.
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
I got the kit and download the app for my son. The instruction video had no sound but it was easy to know what the instructions were. I did make a post before saying it was average. My son loves it now and thinks it is amazing. I still stick to thinking it could do a bit more with the idea as there are only a few areas to check the eyes. But it is a great interactive concept.
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
We have the penny pirate book at our place and has been used by a number of kids as eye testing is so important. The book is easy to follow and understand and is quite enjoyable for the little ones. They think its a lot of fun and they want to do it, which makes it so much easier for us mummies to administer the test. What a great idea.
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
Interesting, innovative and one way to test the kids eyes
The boys loved this story from OPSM and read it a couple of times, it was a different, fun way to test their eyes to see if there were any problems. Loved this book, the idea is fantastic and the kids loved it too! Practical, yet interesting creation from OPSM, thanks!! Passed this onto one of my friends to test her sons eyes too.
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
I used the app for penny the pirate for my son – and it was just average – not many things to check the eyes in content of the story – my son was more interested in the patch and glasses. It is a very good concept and not sure if the app is different to the book.
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
Did your children enjoy the story and illustrations?
Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
I think this book set is a fantastic idea! Not only does it test children’s eyes but it does so in a fun and interesting way. My nephews loved their story / playtime and it gave me piece of mind in a fun way to be able to test their eyes to see if there were any problems. I think it’s good to encourage good eye health so to do it in such an innovative way is incredibly smart! Well done OPSM!
Was it easy to follow the written and video instructions?
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Were the screening results clear and helpful?
Did the book make you consider the importance of your family's eye health?
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Article
Genius Beach And Pool Tips Every Aussie Mum Should Know
Summer beach and pool days are core childhood memory creators, but getting the kids out the door, not so much! From wrestling wriggly toddlers into rashies to arguing with teens trying to dodge sunscreen and cramming half the house into the car, the exhaustion can kick in before we’ve even set foot on the sand!
But there are some very clever tips that will make even the most stressful summer days smooth sailing – and the Mouths of Mums community know them all! Which is why we asked our mums for their hints, hacks and tips – from sand removal to stress-free sunscreen application (we’re going to introduce you to the fabulous new Banana Boat SmartMist Sunscreen Sprays that will make your life so much easier).
You’ll want to take note before you next hit the beach or pool!
Pack Smart, Not Big
Do you feel like you take waaayyy too much when you head to the beach or pool, and then you seem to forget a couple of key things that would have made life so much easier?
Our Mouths of Mums community swear by this fab list of essentials which should be in every mum’s beach kit, and
A plastic bag for wet towels and bathers
A dry bag for clothes
A bucket or basin to wash off sandy toys
A ‘clean zone’, sand-free blanket or mat for eating and changing
A pop-up tent for changing
Waterproof phone case
Talcum powder to get sticky, wet sand off little feet. Just pop it on and brush it off – it’s magic!
A hand-held car vac for quick sand cleanups!
“The amount of times my kids have gone home in wet chafing swimming costumes because they didn’t want anyone to see them changing is unbelievable! Our pop up tent has been life changing! We all drive home comfy and cosy! Lastly, a sand proof picnic blanket is so perfect for a sand reprieve! The sand literally falls right through them!” – MoM Member
Get Safety Sorted Before The Fun Starts
It’s pretty hard to get the kids’ attention once you’re at the beach or pool, so the safety talk should really start at home. Our mums recommend chatting to the kids about:
Swimming between the flags at the beach
Setting a meeting spot in case anyone gets separated
Sunscreen: Always apply sunscreen 20 minutes before heading outdoors. And set alarms to reapply every two hours throughout the day. Reapply immediately after swimming or using a towel.
Applying sunscreen at the start of the day and regularly throughout is so important, but it usually causes the most arguments. Kids don’t want to stop, teens assure you they ‘did it already’.
That’s where Banana Boat’s new SmartMist™ Sunscreen Spray SPF50+ actually makes a difference. The iconic sunscreen brand has just launched its newest product, which turns sunscreen time into something simple and fun. It’s an easy and convenient way to tick off sun safety – which isn’t always easy when it comes to kids!
Why Banana Boat SmartMist Sunscreen Spray makes sunscreen easier
The Smart Control Spray gives you the choice of a short spray for tricky spots or a long spray for larger areas like those wiggly little legs, making application simple and convenient. It also sprays from any angle – just spray, rub in and you’re ready for playtime.
Clear, lightweight formula that absorbs fast and with no greasy feel.
SPF50+ broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection and 4-hour water resistant.
Kids SmartMist™ is mild and gentle for kid’s sensitive skin, fragrance free and contains Aloe and Vitamin E.
Sport SmartMist™ features high-performance Powerstay Technology™, designed to stay on through sweat and water.
Banana Boat SmartMist makes those important sunscreen stops much easier and effective and is perfect for active Aussie families this summer.
Prep & Time It Perfectly
There’s nothing worse than kids itching to get to the beach while you’re trying to remember everything you need to pack – it makes everyone frazzled. So get prepped early – even the night before. And time your departure to minimise the amount of time in the car (and the amount of times the kids ask ‘are we there yet?!’.
“Packing the car the night before, always a huge help getting the bucket, cabana, and bag of spare clothes/towels in the boot. We usually leave straight after breakfast to avoid heavy traffic as the beach is an hour away.” – MoM Member
Pack Smart Snacks
Snacks are a must, but it can be tricky to know what’s going to survive a hot, Aussie summer day – and what’s good for hungry tummies. Here’s what our mums recommend:
Chopped fruit
Crackers
Boiled eggs
Drink bottles that have been frozen overnight
“We have a few allergies/intolerances, so being prepared with food is helpful and saves us the search and some money. I pre-chop carrots, cucumber, apples, boiled egg, in a handy separating container, a packet of chips, dip, and bring water bottles. If it’s a longer day planned at the beach I’ll bring lunch too.” – MoM Member
A chaos-free beach day. Yes please!
You don’t need a military-style plan to enjoy a sunny day out. A beach trolley, some prep, and an easy sunscreen like SmartMist™ are enough to help things run calmly – or at least calm-ish!
Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Wear protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses in addition to sunscreen. Reapply frequently every 2 hours or more often when sweating and immediately after swimming or using a towel. Avoid prolonged high-risk sun exposure.
Mouths of Mums is proudly working with Banana Boat to bring you this article.
My biggest tip is to be very clear who’s watching the kids, especially when they’re in the water. Like, actually verbally hand over and make sure it’s acknowledged if you’re going somewhere (like to the bathroom). That can definitely save lives, but also save panics about lost kids in crowded spaces.
Some really good tips here! I had no idea about the talcum powder hack – who would have known! That is amazing and I will definitely try it next time we go to the beach! It is definitely worthwhile getting things ready the night before though, especially if you want to leave before midnight lol.
8:50 pm
Enjoys reading the book over and over again!
10:46 am
Every Family should have one of these!
9:58 am
great tool and kids had no idea!
6:36 pm
penny the pirate
1:10 pm
son loved it
10:51 am
good idea ,eye test
11:46 pm
game changer
11:22 am
Great fun
8:35 pm
Great book
4:57 pm
great way to test eye health at home!
8:50 pm
Enjoys reading the book over and over again!
12:26 pm
Lke it
10:46 am
Every Family should have one of these!
7:15 pm
Worth it
7:55 pm
Great book
9:50 am
Great book and lots of fun
1:01 pm
Awesome
3:48 pm
Greats book for kids
9:40 pm
this is a great product to try and it was free!
2:23 pm
Not only good for kids!!
9:14 pm
not just good for eyesight testing
5:18 pm
great great great
11:20 pm
Very good book for Kids
11:07 pm
It still works
7:43 pm
A great resource to share
7:56 am
Update - Son loves it now
10:49 pm
Eye checks so very important
5:36 pm
Interesting, innovative and one way to test the kids eyes
1:50 pm
Used the App ok
11:07 pm
Fun & Educational
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