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WHALE EYES

James Robinson Brian Rea

A Memoir About Seeing and Being Seen

From Emmy Awardwinning documentary filmmaker James Robinson comes a breathtaking illustrated memoir for middle-grade readersinspired 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.

James's story invites readers into his perspective and challenges them to change the way they see him, other people with disabilities, and what they consider "normal."

Author Bio: James Robinson is the Emmy Awardwinning documentary filmmaker behind the short film "I Stutter." His short film "Whale Eyes" also received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Soft Feature Story: Long Form. He created the New York Times Opinion Video series Adapt-Ability, and now he directs, edits, and produces documentaries for select news organizations and nonprofits. Visit James online at byjamesrobinson.com.

Residence: Los Angeles and Maine

Illustrator Bio: 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.

Residence: Stockholm, Sweden
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Published 2025-03-18 by Penguin Workshop

Comments

Robinson...candidly explores numerous topics, including disability tropes, privilege, and ways to turn 'out-trigue'the discomfort we feel with the unfamiliarinto empathetic connections...Frank, unusual, and insightful.

This lively, interactive...heartfelt memoir is truly eye-opening and will encourage readers to seek out his other works.

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.

A beautiful, important, creative, and insightful look at overcoming adversity, finding one's path, and ultimately creating bettergenuinehuman connections. I absolutely loved it.