From Emmy Award–winning documentary filmmaker James Robinson comes a breathtaking illustrated memoir for middle-grade readers (and adults, too)—inspired by the viral, Emmy-nominated short film Whale Eyes.Told through an experimental mix of intimate anecdotes and interactive visuals, this book immerses readers in James’s point of view, allowing them to see the world through his disabling eye conditions.
Readers will get lost as they chase words. They’ll stare into this book while taking a vision test. They’ll hold it upside down as they practice “pretend-reading”…and they’ll follow an unlikely trail toward discovering the power of words.
With poignant illustrations by Eisner Award–nominated artist Brian Rea, James’s story equips readers of all ages with the tools to confront their discomfort with disability and turn confused, blank stares into powerful connections.
An Indies Introduce Pick for Winter/Spring 2025!
On sale: March 18, 2025
Age: 10 and up
Grade: Grade 5 & Up
Page count: 304 Pages
ISBN: 9780593523957
James Robinson is an Emmy Award–winning documentary filmmaker and video producer for
New York Times Opinion. James speaks to audiences across the country, from grade school to grad school, about disability, filmmaking, and getting people to care. Visit him online at byjamesrobinson.com.
Brian Rea produces drawings and paintings for books, magazines, murals, fashion, and film projects around the world. He is the weekly illustrator for the
New York Times column Modern Love. He is an adjunct associate professor at Art Center College of Design and a member of Alliance Graphique Internationale. His first authored book,
Death Wins a Goldfish (Chronicle Books), was nominated for an Eisner Award and was optioned for television. Visit him online at brianrea.com.
"An accessible and immersive account of growing up with strabismus, a condition of eye misalignment...Robinson presents a sincere reflection on childhood experiences of growing up in a world not built with him in mind."—
Publishers Weekly,
starred review"A beautiful, important, creative, and insightful look at overcoming adversity, finding one's path, and ultimately creating better—genuine—human connections. I absolutely loved it."—Rob Harrell, author of
Wink"Affirming visually disabled people and enabling nondisabled people to better understand Robinson—and themselves. Robinson...candidly explores numerous topics, including disability tropes, privilege, and ways to turn 'out-trigue'—the discomfort we feel with the unfamiliar—into empathetic connections...Frank, unusual, and insightful."—
Kirkus
