Whale Eyes

I saw Whale Eyes: A Memoir About Seeing and Being Seen by James Robinson on a new book list and got it from the library. This book is about the author's experience with strabismus, an eye condition. The author created an Emmy-nominated short film by the same name, and this book is expanding on the same topic. The book is interactive (trying a vision test, for example), and the book description says, "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."

This was an interesting read. Right when I started the book, I decided to go watch the video he had made, and that really got me invested in his story. The book helped me understand how to respectfully approach interactions with someone who has strabismus or similar eye conditions (just look into the eye that is looking at you!), and it helped me understand what it would be like to grow up like he did. I liked following his journey into the documentary world and then watched a couple of the other memoir-style documentaries he created about people with disabilities on NYT (face blindness and stuttering). They were so great! Overall this was a good read but best for 10+ due to a spoiler about something my 8-year-old still believes in. :) I think kids will enjoy the pictures and interactive nature of the book.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)