Dogs Don't Wear Glasses

Geoghegan's first book has a thought-provoking title, wittily presented as an eye chart. Yet the awkward illustrations don't recommend this tale of a nearsighted woman. Nanny Needles doesn't want to admit that her eyesight is failing, so she blames her mistakes on her hapless hound, Seymour. She empties the garbage on top of Seymour, then scolds him for sitting too close to the can. She even shaves the top of the dog's head to keep his hair out of his eyes--but nothing does the trick. Geoghegan counts on readers' enjoyment of silly situations and provides a shameless punch line: ""I think you need [your eyes] tested so you can see more, Seymour."" Unfortunately, her palette of clashing colors is as unappealing as the moment Nanny mistakenly eats Seymour's bowl of ""Beef and Liver for Healthy Dogs."" The author sketches in a crayony black medium, then watercolors over the waxy surface for an unavoidably sloppy effect. Only one illustration--of Seymour barking out letters at the optometrist's--is sufficiently free of clutter to demonstrate Geoghegan's sense of humor. Ages 3-8. (Apr.)