Jacob's Eye Patch

by Beth Kobliner, Jacob Shaw, Jules Feiffer (Illustrator)

Overview

Being different can be hard.

This funny, spirited story—written by bestselling author of Get a Financial Life Beth Kobliner Shaw with her son Jacob, and illustrated by award-winning picture book artist Jules Feiffer—encourages young readers to embrace the thing that makes them unique...

Jacob is in a hurry—a really big hurry—to get to the store to buy a special toy. There's only one left, and if he doesn't get to it soon, he'll never forgive his mom and dad for making him late. Strangers often stop Jacob's parents on the street to ask about him. See, Jacob is unusual: He has an eye patch. Jacob knows people like to ask questions, but do they have to ask right now?

Luckily, Jacob gets to the store in time, and he meets a new friend who has something different, too. In the end, Jacob's journey makes him more aware of other people’s feelings. Jacob's Eye Patch is the go-to book for talking about differences that kids can enjoy and parents can turn to for guidance.

Everyone has something different! What’s your something? Share your child’s story at JacobsEyePatch.com.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476737324
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster
Publication date:	09/24/2013
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 11.30(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Beth Kobliner is a personal finance commentator and journalist, and the author of the New York Times bestseller Get a Financial Life as well as a book for parents, Make Your Kid a Money Genius (Even If You’re Not). Beth was selected by President Obama to serve on the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans, dedicated to increasing the financial know-how of kids of all ages and economic backgrounds. A former staff writer at Money magazine, Beth has contributed to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal and has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Today, Sesame Street, and NPR.

Jacob Shaw is a nine-year-old boy. He has worn an eye patch since he was five days old. When he turns ten, he won’t need to wear it anymore.

Jules Feiffer has won a number of prizes for his cartoons, plays, and screenplays, including the Pulitzer Prize for editorial cartooning. Among the books he’s illustrated for children are The Phantom Tollbooth, Some Things Are Scary, and in collaboration with his daughter Kate, Henry the Dog with No Tail, and No Go Sleep. He is the author and illustrator of Bark, George, I Lost My Bear, Meanwhile, and The Man in the Ceiling.

Editorial Reviews

"A charming, funny, and inspiring book about how being a little bit different is no big deal."

bestselling author of The Zack Files series - DAN GREENBURG

"Jacob's Eye Patch is so insightful. It's a reminder of how frustrated kids feel to be dependent on others."

author of the bestselling Cam Jansen mystery series - DAVID A. ADLER

"Readers learn that everyone has something that makes others curious, but that people don't always want to discuss it."

READER'S DIGEST - KELLI FITZPATRICK

"Finally, a book that addresses the stigma that many kids must feel, handled in a gentle way that they'll appreciate and enjoy. Hooray for Jacob, the eye patch-wearing hero!"

illustrator of the New York Times bestselling Mercy Watson series - CHRIS VAN DUSEN

“A winning picture book.”

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

"I admire Jacob's courage and strength. As a child, I used to always be embarrassed or insecure about my eyes. Now, I am living my dream of playing in the NFL and wouldn't change anything I went through. Keep inspiring and keep being YOU."

NFL quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner - MATT LEINART

"This book will provide tremendous help to children who wear an eye patch."

Executive VP, American Association for Pediatric Ophthamology and Strabismus - CHRISTIE L. MORSE

"Funny story. I like his glasses."

age 3, eye patch wearer - EILIDH RUSSO

"With enormous charm and delightful drawings, this book reminds us of two crucial truths: It is really hard to be different from other kids in any way, and even well-meaning parents can be incredibly annoying!"

New York Times bestselling author of Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys - MICHAEL THOMPSON

"Amblyopia and strabismus—commonly known as 'lazy eye' and 'crossed-eye' respectively—are common eye conditions in children, and eye patching offers a simple and effective treatment option. It's not always easy for children who may feel embarrassed when wearing a patch or frustrated by the questions it prompts in others, but Jacob's story can help."

DAVID W. PARKE II

"A valuable, unique perspective on what it is like to be a child and parent patching."

Executive Director, Children's Eye Foundation - THOMAS ROGERS

2013-09-01
Mother and son co-authors tell the story of young Jacob and his time wearing an eye patch to correct two common eye conditions. Whenever Jacob goes out, people ask him about his eye patch. Curious onlookers feel free to ask the personal question: "Why does your boy wear an eye patch?" ("His eyes need correction," would be the obvious answer to the nosy.) Normally Jacob doesn't mind answering questions, but today he is anxious to get to the science store, where he hopes to buy a new light-up globe. Everywhere he turns, people ask about his patch, and his mother is happy to answer, even though Jacob just wants to keep going. Jacob's thought bubble, "Seriously?" lets readers know his frustration. And that's it. Built on such a weak premise, this story provides no surprises. Feiffer's art seems to have been rushed. From page to page, older brother Adam's face changes, and after a two-block walk from the ice cream store, the ice cream has neither melted nor been licked. At the page turn, the cone simply disappears. The weak narrative is also confusing (at one point, five hours a day is patch time and in another, three hours). Feiffer's talents are wasted here. Readers wishing for an emotionally satisfying treatment of the same subject should turn to George Ella Lyon and Lynne Avril's award-winning The Pirate of Kindergarten (2010). Didactic, confusing and not particularly informative. Seriously? (authors' notes) (Picture book. 3-8)

Kirkus Reviews