Home › Disability › Whale Eyes: A Memoir about Seeing and Being Seen

Whale Eyes: A Memoir about Seeing and Being Seen

by James Robinson

A memoir that makes seeing part of the reading experience

Regular price $11.53 USD
Regular price $19.22 USD Sale price $11.53 USD
Save 40%

Paperback New English

Format

Print BookAvailable Hardcover $17.09 USD$28.49 USD
Print BookCurrently viewing Paperback $11.53 USD$19.22 USD
Delivery to your door
In stock·Dispatches in 1–2 business days
Standard shipping* from $4.35
Standard shipping transit* 5–8 business days after dispatch

Faster options are available.

Rates and delivery estimates depend on your destination and item quantity. Estimates are informational only; the final shipping method and rate are selected at checkout.

Secure checkout
American Express Apple Pay DiscoverGoogle Pay Mastercard PayPalVisa
30-day eligible returns Returns & refunds policy

Awards & Recognition

  • Award recognition

    Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award

    The source identifies the book as the winner of the award.

  • Editorial selection

    An NPR Best Book of the Year

    Named a Best Book of the Year.

  • Critical praise

    Starred review from Booklist

    Starred review describing the book as “Lively, interactive...truly eye-opening.”

AlbakiReads Editorial

A memoir that makes seeing part of the reading experience

James Robinson’s memoir connects his experience growing up with strabismus to the ways people look at and understand one another. Anecdotes are paired with interactive visuals that invite readers to chase words, try a vision test, and turn the book upside down. These activities make the book’s form part of its subject: how vision shapes an encounter with language and with disability. Illustrated by Brian Rea, the memoir also explores the possibility of moving from uncertainty or staring toward connection. Its combination of personal experience and hands-on reading gives the subject a concrete, participatory shape.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Children and adults interested in disability and personal memoirs
  • Readers who enjoy illustrated books with interactive elements
  • Families or educators exploring vision, language, and how people relate to disability

Themes

Strabismus and disabilitySeeing and being seenWords and readingConnection and understanding

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

From Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker James Robinson comes a breathtaking illustrated memoir inspired by the viral Emmy-nominated short film Whale Eyes.

WINNER OF THE SCHNEIDER FAMILY BOOK AWARD - AN ORBIS PICTUS RECOMMENDED BOOK - A BEST BOOK THE YEAR: School Library Journal, NPR, BCCB, New York Public Library, and Chicago Public Library

Told through an experimental mix of intimate anecdotes and interactive visuals, this book immerses readers in James's experiences growing up with strabismus, allowing them to see the world through one eye at a time.

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.
Shipping & returnsShipping options, delivery timing, and our return policy.

In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

For the initial delivery estimate we use these transit windows after dispatch: Standard 5–8 business days, Expedited 2–4 business days, and Priority 1–2 business days. Holiday delays are not included.

Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

Customer reviews