Whale Eyes
Read by
James Robinson
Release:
03/18/2025
Runtime:
3h 35m
Unabridged
Quantity:
A beautiful, important, creative, and insightful look at overcoming adversity, finding one's path, and ultimately creating better—genuine—human connections. I absolutely loved it.
Rob Harrell, author of Wink
★ 5 STARRED REVIEWS ★
★ “Lively, interactive…truly eye-opening." —Booklist
★ “A sincere reflection on childhood…growing up in a world not built with him in mind." —Publishers Weekly
★ “A superb middle grade memoir that champions empathy and understanding on every level.” —BookPage
★ “Game-changing curriculum add for any teacher” —The Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books
★ “A moving memoir…this is an important book for all readers.” —School Library Journal
An Odyssey Award Honor Audiobook!
AN AUDIOFILE MAGAZINE AND BOOKLIST EDITOR'S CHOICE BEST AUDIOBOOK OF 2025
A 2026 Orbis Pictus Recommended Book
A CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY AND SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOK THE YEAR
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.
* Whale Eyes is meant to be twisted, turned, and experienced. This audiobook includes a downloadable PDF with illustrations, experiments, photos, and interactive visual components. The PDF helps the listener experience the visual effects while they listen to author James Robinson read from a copy of the text.
★ “Lively, interactive…truly eye-opening." —Booklist
★ “A sincere reflection on childhood…growing up in a world not built with him in mind." —Publishers Weekly
★ “A superb middle grade memoir that champions empathy and understanding on every level.” —BookPage
★ “Game-changing curriculum add for any teacher” —The Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books
★ “A moving memoir…this is an important book for all readers.” —School Library Journal
An Odyssey Award Honor Audiobook!
AN AUDIOFILE MAGAZINE AND BOOKLIST EDITOR'S CHOICE BEST AUDIOBOOK OF 2025
A 2026 Orbis Pictus Recommended Book
A CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY AND SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOK THE YEAR
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.
* Whale Eyes is meant to be twisted, turned, and experienced. This audiobook includes a downloadable PDF with illustrations, experiments, photos, and interactive visual components. The PDF helps the listener experience the visual effects while they listen to author James Robinson read from a copy of the text.
Release:
2025-03-18
Runtime:
3h 35m
Format:
audio
Weight:
0.0 lb
Language:
English
ISBN:
9798217018239
Publisher:
Penguin Random House
Praise