Whale Eyes

For folks living in the US, yikes, the last few days and weeks and months have been chaotic politically. It's hard not to feel overwhelmed and burned out. I try to limit my exposure to the news but it's really hard to do! For this reason and many more, I like to turn to books and delve into a new world with curiosity. I'm delighted to offer 3 hardcover copies of Whale Eyes: A Memoir About Seeing and Being Seen by James Robinson available now. There's a New York Times video that came out several years before the book that I really enjoyed. Details below.

About the book

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.

Community acknowledgement the author

Whale Eyes, and countless works like it, exist because of the tireless work of the Disability Community, whose members have fought to create space for disabled voices: in the classroom, in journalism, and in publishing. Repeatedly, this community has proven that disability stories are not just essential to our understanding of ourselves and our world, but also that they are commercially viable—stories for which readers and viewers yearn. 

When Disabled people are included in media production, which is to say—when they are accommodated, listened to, and given creative control—the quality, accuracy, and reach of our work inevitably increases.

I will never know many of the names of those who fought to create the space for a book like Whale Eyes. But their collective actions are the reason that this project can exist. To them I say:

Thank you.

Our world is a better, kinder,
and more just place
because you are in it.

Details

1) Any disabled person in the US is eligible to receive a hard. You do not need to disclose any details about your disability.

If you already received a book from one of my previous giveaways, please consider letting other people have a chance.

2) If you do not receive a reply that means the books have been claimed or you did not include all the required information.

3) Send an email to DisabilityVisibilityProject@gmail.com with 'James Robinson’ in the title of the message. Do not reply to this post!!

4) Include the following information in your message:

• First and last name
• Mailing address

Please note: I will send this information along with your email address to the publisher. They are responsible for confirming your details and sending you the book. Please be patient!