Jacob’s Eye Patch
Beth Kobliner Shaw & Jacob Shaw, Authors
Jules Feiffer, Illustrator
Simon & Schuster, Fiction, Sept. 24, 2013
Suitable for Ages: 4-8
Themes: Wearing an eye patch, Curiosity, Feeling different
Opening: Jacob and his mom were on their way to the science store to buy the most amazing thing ever — a light-up globe. “
Book Synopsis: Jacob is in a hurry — a really big hurry — to get to the store and buy the toy he’s always wanted. Along the way, people keep slowing him down to ask him questions about his eye patch. It’s natural to have questions when some one looks different…but do they have to ask right now?
Why I love this book: I wore an eye patch as a child and I love sharing this upbeat and winning book! Beth Kobliner Shaw co-authored the book with her nine-year-old son, Jacob. They wrote a charming, funny and encouraging story to show that every one has something that makes them unique. This will be a welcomed and very helpful book for the many children who wear eye patches to strengthen an eye. You have to admire Jacob’s courage and strength as he’s not going to let his eye patch get in his way of getting to the science store before it closes. Yes, Jacob understands people are curious about why he’s wearing and eye patch, and normally he doesn’t mind answering their questions. But he’s on a mission and there are too many amusing obstacles that get in his way. You’ll find yourself cheering for Jacob! Jules Feiffer’s illustrations are lively and bold. The artwork is done in pen and watercolor and convey Jacob’s urgency and frustration to get to the store! It is an excellent book to use with kids to teach them about differences.
A special thank you to my friend and colleague, Beth Stilborn, who writes the blog By Word of Beth. She recommended this book to me for review.
Resources: There are author notes at the end from Beth and Jacob. For more fun, visit the Jacob’s Eye Patch link where you can find resources, an activity kit and tip sheet .
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
Children's Books Heal 
What a great idea. There are SO many kids who wear patches. This is a wonderful way to make it easier.
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I was thrilled to learn of this book. And, then when I saw it, I knew it was the perfect book for kids to wear patches. It is sooooo funny.
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This looks and sounds like a really cute book. I like that Jacob helped write it! I don’t know too many kids with eye patches. I do know 2 though. and I think they would like this book. thanks for sharing!
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It is a very funny book. Yes, Jacob wears an eye patch, but he sure isn’t going to let it get in his way. A lot of kids wear patches when they are young.
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This looks like an interesting take on the subject of understanding children’s differences. I love going to the library after PPBF to see which titles I can find!
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Yes it is a very much needed book that would be great for the classroom too in talking about differences. This kids is fiesty!
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As soon as I saw you’d reviewed this book today, I zoomed right over. It sounds like such an excellent book. I can imagine that kids with eye patches, or anything else that makes them “different” in the eyes of the world, have to deal with a lot. What a great way to help them cope with it all.
As you know, when I saw an ad for this book, I immediately thought of you and Children’s Books Heal. I’m so glad it turned out to be a good “fit” for you and your blog. And thanks for the shout-out!
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Thanks again Beth for the recommendation. I really love this book, especially since I wore a patch. This is a great book for kids who wear an eye patch because it shows a strong character who doesn’t have time to be bothered. It is a very funny book. You’ll cheer for Jacob. I like that mother and son wrote this book.
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Pat, enjoyed reading your review. What a great idea for the mom/son authorship. Going to check out the resources now.
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Yes, I like that mother and son wrote the book. I imagine they had a lot of fun writing it together. It is so funny.
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Oh that’s a good one. The boy trying to get on with his life and the kids all curious and interrupting.
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You know when kids have an issue, they don’t want to be singled out. They adapt and find their way. I know I couldn’t understand why people made a big deal about my eye problems. So, this book is perfect for all kids. You can’t help but love Jacob.
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I love all these stories that you find Patricia ~ always, lovely reviews and presented in ways that make the world a nicer place.
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Thank you Niamh. This was a special find and I could identify with the eye patch. Many kids will benefit from this book and it should be in the classrooms.
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I love the fact that this was a parent-child creation. Good one, Patricia!
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There is a page at the end when mom and son share their story. Lovely colaboration. Jacob is older now, maybe a tween.
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Just when I think you can’t possibly connect me to another book, here comes the story of Jacob’s Eye Patch. WoW. Thank you SO much!
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I thought of you as I reviewed the book. This is a great classroom book! And very humorous.
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How clever to have Jacob’s goal nothing to do with the eye-patch, and him so understanding (most of the time). Great unusual topic. Lovely find Beth and Pat.
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I know, isn’t that great! He is one fiesty little boy in the story. I laughed as I turned the pages. Yes, it was very nice of Beth to tell me about the ad she saw for the book. We do the same thing, too.
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Pat, it never ceases to amaze me how you find books on so many subjects that kids contend with. Thank you for sharing this!
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Thank you for your kind words. I search for those gems that will help kids. And, I was thrilled to see Simon and Schuster published this one. Can’t take full credit as Beth saw it first. But, I do search the niche publishers and watch certain authors who publish books that help kids. Glad you enjoyed it!
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Another great find, Patricia. Looking forward to reading it. Okay, I admit I’d read anything JF was involved in!
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I’m glad you enjoyed my review. It really is a great. Kirkus didn’t like JF’s artwork. I thought it fit the story.
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Oops, I meant JF!
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I corrected.
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What a great book to add to our list, Pat, because you’re right – having a difference is something lots of kids have to cope with! I can really relate to this because, like you, I wore an eye patch when I was young. (Well, actually I was SUPPOSED to… but I wasn’t very good about it!) Thanks so much for adding this valuable book to our list!
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We have something in common — an eye patch! 🙂 I hated wearing it and it didn’t help me anyway. This book is a real winner and I love it! I reall cheered for Jacob. I am thrilled to add it to the PPBF list.
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What a great choice for PPBF. I like the cover – the illustrations look great for the book! 😀
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Erik, I agree. The cover is a real eye-popper! Pardon the pun! I just love this story and it is sooooo funny.
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This looks fantastic in so many ways. If the library doesn’t have it, I’ll have to order it. Thanks so much.
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The book is fantastic. And it may not be in your library yet. It came out recently. But, it can be used in so many ways. And, it is fun for kids to read!
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LOVE this! Our neighbor girl always felt so conspicuous when she had to wear hers. It’s great the way other kids take stuff like this in stride if it’s simply explained to them so they can understand it. This book sounds like a unique way to do just that.
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It is indeed a unique book. And a fun way for kids to talk about differences. Jacob is such a determined and fun kid! This book should be in school libraries.
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Looks like a fun book on a important topic. Hope I can find it at the library.
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It is very new, so you may have to request it. But, a great book to read to Enzo. It is very funny.
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I think you could be a pirate! You can find treasure better than anyone I know! What a wonderful book to add to our list! Thanks, Pat!
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You made me chuckle. Thank you, because I thought about pirate with the patch. Thank you, I’m so glad you enjoyed the selection. It really is a very good book. Loved the collaboration between mom and son.
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What a find! Last year, I suffered a bout of Bells-Palsy and ended up wearing an eye patch for about six weeks. The episode began the day before Halloween. No one noticed my paralyzed face or questioned my eye patch on Halloween because I dressed up as a pirate. The next day, however, I got several strange looks for still wearing the patch. My small taste of what Jacob has to deal with on a daily basis made me much more sympathetic to those with a physical disability. I’m happy to see that there is a children’s book dealing with such a difference in such a positive way. And I love the underlying message that we all have something that makes us different and that our differences are what make us unique.
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Looks like this book about Jacob’s Eye Patch has universal appeal. I know a few of us had worn eye patches as kids understood immediately. I’m glad the book touched you. Thank you for stopping and leaving a coment.
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Just like Sharon Drapers, “Out of my MInd” which also deals with differences and disabilities this book is a real find. I thank both you and Beth for finding it and then reviewing it. I’m looking at my library list right now. 🙂
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Thanks Clar, it was one of my favorite picture books. I wore an eye patch, so it was close to my heart. Gave copies to teachers.
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What do you mean you gave copies to teachers? Did you remember them from when you wore a patch and gave those teachers a copy or do you just know some to give them a copy?
Wondering. 🙂
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I had two copies that I gifted to some teachers to use in their classrooms. I reviewed Jacob’s Eye Patch almost a year ago. Glad you liked it.
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Thanks for explaining, was a little slow. I did see where the review was from 2013 in November.
You are a generous person. Glad to know you. 🙂
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