My Travelin' Eye

by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw

Jenny Sue’s eyes are not the same as other people’s eyes. Her right eye looks in one direction, while her left eye sometimes wanders. Jenny Sue has a travelin’, lazy eye. Although it makes her different, it also helps her see the world in a special way.
Here is a charming story about one very inspiring little girl who overcomes her disability and offers inspiration to others.
My Travelin' Eye is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Genres: Picture Books, Disability, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Fiction, Health, Friendship

40 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2008

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When I was born, I came out looking both ways," begins this autobiographical picture-book from author/artist Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw, which explores the experience of living with strabismic amblyopia, or a "lazy eye," a condition in which the eyes are misaligned. Describing her right eye as the navigator and counter, and her left eye as the artist and color appreciator, young Jenny Sue is at first reluctant to see the ophthalmologist. When he prescribes glasses and an eye patch, in order to strengthen her weak right eye, she is even more resistant, especially when her unusual appearance leads to teasing at school. Then her mother, who always seems to know what to do, steps in, and the eye patch becomes a cool (and ever-changing) art project.

My Travelin' Eye is a book I might not have picked up, had it not been recommended by a friend who is acquainted with its creator. I'm so glad that it was - thanks, Jude! - as I enjoyed both story and artwork a great deal. The author clearly understands the experience of living with this condition, and she communicates the realities of that experience to her young readers in a story that is both entertaining and emotionally engaging. Her mixed-media artwork, created with acrylics, crayon, pencil, collage and tissue paper, is lots of fun, with plenty of little details that add to the story. Recommended to young children who have amblyopia, to children who know someone with visions problems, and more generally, to anyone who appreciates beautiful and creative picture-book art.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well done. Great art that captures the protagonist's unique way of seeing the world. I liked that her lazy eye was presented more as a cool and different way of seeing things than as a problem.

[Zoey Wyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like the college style and it really adds to this story.

[Lstirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the experiences of the author as a seven year old child, Jenny Sue offers up her creative solutions to dealing with a 'lazy eye.'

The theme of overcoming an obstacle using creativity is seen again in this book. I think this is very inspiring for kids. This book is great for kids who have a 'travelin' eye' to find out they are not alone, and is also great for others to learn empathy for those that are different. I loved the casual, matter of fact approach to her meeting Dr. Dave and how this normalizes her experience. We also felt bad for her when she cries in her bed after the children make fun of her, then feel her triumph as she makes eye patches the trendy thing.

The illustrations are colorful and creative, using multiple media. They match the the text and are warm and fuzzy. The reader identifies with Jenny Lee and her plight. Overall, a great addition to a school or public library.

Children's Literature

The author builds on her own experience as a child with a "travelin' eye" (i.e., strabismus and amblyopia), making what could have been a dull, didactic story into a charming tale of a young girl's coping with her "difference" and its eventual correction. Young Jenny Sue tells how, with her mother's help and creativity, she turns having to wear an eye patch into a fashion statement, as her world comes slowly into focus. When the patch is removed, her travelin' eye has awakened. She still needs glasses, but they do help her see better; besides, they are so fashionable that the other kids want to have them, too. The smiling girl in fancy glasses on the cover introduces us to a visual tale told with acrylics, crayon, pencil, collage, and tissue paper. Inside are vignettes, full-page scenes, and even double-page spreads filled, in a childlike fashion, with bits and pieces of objects and people. The brief text appears in different parts of the pages in different colors and, sometimes, different sizes. We learn as we are entertained by this imaginative visual narrative. The text ends with a challenge to true artistry: "see the world in your own unique way." Reviewer: Ken and Sylvia Marantz
School Library Journal

I had not noticed the ending challenge and had to go back and find it. This is an inspiring and entertaining tale with great visuals. Spot on review.


Gr 1-4- Children sometimes get teased when they begin to wear eyeglasses, but Jenny Sue has an additional problem: strabismus, described in an author's note as a condition when one eye (or both eyes) "misaligns and turns in, out, up, or down." While the youngster views her travelin' eye as a means for seeing the world in a special way, a caring teacher suggests that she visit an ophthalmologist. The doctor's quick diagnosis results in what Jenny Sue sees as a very ugly eye patch. Her mother, however, comes to the rescue with patches of brightly colored materials and quirky designs. Soon, Jenny Sue is the envy of her school. When she graduates from the patch but must still wear glasses, she and her mother fashion imaginative frames that delight the girl's friends. In telling her story, Kostecki-Shaw utilizes the whole page, placing different sizes of text among images that vary from large to small, from vivid to diffused (visualizing Jenny Sue's eye problem). Use of acrylics, crayon, pencil, collage, and tissue paper creates colorful, imaginative illustrations. The jacket features Jenny Sue's wide grin below gaily decorated specs that sport a perky butterfly, setting the tone for this upbeat story. Children with a "difference" of some kind will be reassured by Jenny Sue's take on her special situation.-Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA

This is a good descriptive review with a nice evaluation. Another accurate review.

Kirkus Reviews

An upbeat look at how a creative little girl copes with vision problems and the challenge of being different. Jenny Sue was born with a "wandering eye." Instead of looking in the same direction at the same time, her eyes look in different directions. One eye sees numbers and acts as her navigator; her other, travelin' eye sees colors and is an "adventurer" reminding her to look around-sometimes a little too much. Her teacher suggests she should see an ophthalmologist to "fix" her eye so "it wouldn't stare out the window." Dr. Dave confirms that Jenny Sue has a lazy eye that needs to wake up, so he puts a plain patch over her good eye and gives her enormous thick red glasses. Overwhelmed by her patch and glasses, Jenny Sue can't seem to do anything right at school until her mother shows her how to design unique "fashion patches." Original multimedia illustrations provide a humorous look at the amazing world of irrepressible Jenny Sue, where the eyes definitely have it. (Picture book. 4-7)

This book fails to mention the emotions or inspiring nature of this book, but it does a good job of describing it.

[(NS) Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is about a girl who describes how she saw the world with each eye. However, when Jenny has to wear an eye patch and glasses she had to be able to see a different way. This is a great story about understanding disabilities. This is a great story to teach students about differences that we all have. It has you really understand what some people go through with a "traveling eye" This story takes you through the process of going to the eye doctor, getting an eye patch and getting a pair of glasses. If this story was published after the 1970's my mother would really enjoy this book. After reading this book, I immediately had my mother read the story because she can relate to the character. My mother had funny glasses and a lazy eye when she was younger. She had to go through some intense surgery for her to not to have a lazy eye. I remember as a kid making fun of her funny glasses and realized that it was very mean. I began to understand that everyone is different and unique in their own way. The author did a great job valuing everyone's differences.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenny Sue's right eye looks in one direction, while her left eye sometimes meanders. As Jenny says, one eye is the navigator, and her wandering eye she calls the traveling eye, the one always looking for adventures. Although it makes her different, it also helps her see the world in a special way. Jenny Sue describes getting glasses, wearing them with an eye patch, being teased, but then creates "fashion-patches" with her mom that make her the envy of her classmates. Jenny Sue stays positive and provides a creative approach to the challenge that differences can bring among children. If at the least, you should check out this book simply for the illustrations. The collages are awesome, especially those depicting what Jenny Sue sees through unfocused eyes, it is so very well done. This book is appropriate for early elementary students. This book has been given high reviews and was a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year, as well as a 2010 Nominated Beehive Children's Picture Book Award book.

[(NS) Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grade/Interest Level: 2-4

Jenny Sue has a lazy eye, or as she likes to call it, a travelin' eye. This story celebrates the unique way each person sees the world, and follows a little girl's journey from being embarrassed about her differences to comfortable in her own skin.

This is a wonderful example of realistic fiction because it deals with an issue most everyone has experienced in some way, becoming comfortable in one's own skin. The illustrations capture the unique way Jenny Sue views the world with vivid colors and collage medium. I might use this book in the beginning of the school year as a community-building prompt. After reading and discussing the story, I would have each student create their own "fashion patch" in a way that depicted the ways they were different and special.

[Jude · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's out!!!

here jenny's blog with book release adventures:

(scroll down for release party pics & art adventures)

http://dancingelephantstudio.blogspot...

so grateful for this artist and her way of seeing, her way of working, her way of sharing.

YAY.

[Brandi Balzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Travelin' Eye is a book about a young girl who has a lazy eye. In this book the main character Jenny Sue likes her traveling eye, because "where it goes she follows", and it takes her on adventures. However, one day she is given an eye patch to wear. At fist she is teased for it. However, the following day she decorates her eye patch and everyone likes it so much they all want one too. Once she is giving glasses she decorates those two and they also become a popular fashion statement at her school. The illustrations in this book are beautiful, and a mix of watercolor, collage, and pencil drawings. Also the text is scattered lightly across the page, just as it would be if we were looking at it with a travelin' eye.
I rated this book a four because I thought it was a very captivating story about a girl with a common exceptionality. I loved how the book not only focused on her disability but on the bullying that sometimes follows exceptionalities. It was also very fun to see how she handled the bullying positively and turned her eye patch into a fashion patch. The combination of the story with the beautiful images and creative text made this a captivating read with a great story to tell.

[Lindsey Wingfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: I gave this 4 stars because shows that she had a travel eye but she was okay with it. Making it show that everyone that has a problem or a disability that it can become something that makes you, you.
The artistic element is fun and creative. It helps draw the attention of what needs to be focused on throughout the book. the pictures and the text go hand in hand.

Summary: She had a travelin eye that was her director, wherever her eye went thats where she looked. In school it got her into some trouble because she was staring out the window so she had to go see a doctor. Once she saw a doctor she had to put on some glasses and a patch to help her eye out. As soon as she got her patch everyone wanted one. Then when she went back to the doctors her eye was all better and not a travelin eye now. She still had to wear the glasses but her and her mom worked on them to make them unique. Everyone then wanted a pair of glasses just like her but they cant have them because they didn't have a doctors note.

[Anna Larson]

This story is about a little girl who has a wandering eye. People refer to it as a lazy eye (but she's not lazy), they say her eye needs to wake up (but her is has always been awake). This story showcases what it is like to grow up a bit different, not broken or bad, just different. Eventually she has to go to an ophthalmologist and he has her wear an eye patch to strengthen her traveling eye. At first, children make fun of her, but then she starts decorating her patches. Her fashion patches are a big hit and soon other children want to wear them (but they cannot, because they do not need them). Her traveling eye strengthens, but she must continue to wear glasses (these glasses also get to be decorated). I think this is a good book for children with wandering eyes because it does not shame them for having one, and it also takes them through doctors visits so they have a better idea of what to expect.

[Kaitlin Coppenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenny Sue had a traveling eye but thought it was the creative and adventurer side of her but kids were always making fun of her and sometimes it effected her at school. One day her mom made her go to the eye doctor and it was determined that she had a lazy eye and that she had to wear an eye patch to strengthen it. Once again kids made fun of her for her eye patch until she turned it into a fashion patch by decorating it. The other kids loved it and eventually she her got stronger and she didn't have to wear it anymore.

This book teaches students that when you embrace your differences, it can make you feel better instead of sad just like Jenny Sue did with her traveling eye.

I would use this book in a social emotional lesson to teach students that just because you might look different from others, doesn't mean that you can't embrace the differences you have.

[Abbie McKinley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, it tells the story of Jenny Sue and her wondering eye that she had since she was born. But she likes to call it her travelin eye, but sometimes kids would make fun of her at school. Jenny Sue went to the doctor to help it get fixed. They put a patch on her good eye to help the traveling eye become stronger and they gave her some big glasses. Some kids made fun of her again, but she started having fun decorating her patches - then everyone at school wanted her patches. I would definitely have this book in my classroom. It teaches it is okay to be different even though other kids might be mean. We have to persevere through the hardships and it teaches that we should judge or make fun of kids who do have these differences.

[Skyla Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was so adorable and sends such a great message especially for those who have a similar situation. The pictures are simple but work really well with the text. I love how the text flows on the page, it is not just straight across and basic. My favorite part though was when she created fashion patches and started to embrace her reality. Also the very last page is just a picture of her wearing her glasses and they are all decorated which i think is such cute touch since she doesn't have to wear the fashion patches anymore.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very nice story and a good way for children to learn about "wandering eyes" and how to feel better if they have one themselves and/or to learn to not make fun of someone just because they look different. I love how the girl's mom made the child's patch more fun to wear and how creative it was. Same thing with the glasses in the end. The illustrations were also very creative and interesting. They looked like a mix of collage with different art materials.

[Kinnley Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is WOW!!! This book is absolutely beautiful. Beautiful writing and beautiful illustrations. A story about a young girl with a lazy eye. It is easy to forget impairments that people struggle with and it can be especially hard in school when other students point it out. It is important to have inclusive stories in classrooms and other learning and reading environments. The artwork in this book is absolutely gorgeous, very bright and charming!

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an important book for all children who have a "lazy" eye!

I appreciate the sensitively written, honest narrative.

Also I appreciate your courage to write and publish on this topic.

FIVE STARS for this wonderful book.
* Thank you, courageous communicator Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw.
* Thank you, upbeatly-creative artist, who also happens to be that talented Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenny Sue has strabismus--one of her eyes misaligns and turns in, out, up, or down. She also has lazy eye (amblyopia) which is reduced vision (new fact for me!) Jenny Sue enjoys her travelin' eye. But at school, her travelin' eye is a distraction. Her mom takes her to an opthamologist who helps train her eye. It's not an easy process, but worth it in the end.

[Kate Y · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about Jenny Sue who has a wandering eye. She knows she looks a little different then others but it doesn't bother her and she makes the most out of her circumstances which are evident throughout the story. I think this is such a sweet and fun story and would be great for children to remember to embrace our differences because that is what make us great and unique.

[The Campbell Family · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure if I liked this one or not, even though the kids were enjoying it. It took me until the "fashion patches" to get into it. Meanwhile, Maren and Bud were engaged the whole time. I liked the illustrations a lot.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this looked like a cute, funny book, and then opened it and realized it's about strabismus, a condition I have. I loved the illustrations and the lighthearted tone. The eyeball teacher and artist, as well as the eyeball with wings, were an absolute delight.

[Samantha Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Travelin' Eye is an adorable book! This would be a great story to read to young students if a student might be going through the same experience as Jenny did. This book can show students that it is cool to wear glasses and that they should not be ashamed to wear them if they need them to see.

[Jessie]

The main character in this book has a travelin' eye, and explains her story, going to the eye doctor and wearing an eye patch. This will be very beneficial to kids experiencing this or not experiencing this. I really liked it!
(CLASSROOM)

[Emily Isom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I think I have ever read. It was so colorful and had wonderful illustrations. There was also a great story line. I definitely recommend reading this book.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book about understanding and accepting disabilities for young readers.

[Kayley Pate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book. Jenny Sue is a little girl with a lazy eye that she does not like to call lazy because she is simply just not lazy so she calls it her My Traveln' Eye is a realistic fiction book. "Travelin' Eye" This book channeled in many emotions because it stated that Jenny Sue loved her lazy eye and did not want to go to the ophthalmologist and how her teacher sent a very insensitive note that said she need to go get her eye "fixed" which to me made my heart hurt. Lastly, I felt the emotion of happiness because she was able to stop her eye from traveling as she would say. I would recommend this book in any classroom not only to teach others about this disability but to alway teach overcoming something that seems impossible to overcome and character building along with teaching bullying is wrong.

[Laina Shearouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

"My Travelin' Eye" is a story about a young girl, Jenny Sue, who embraces her "lazy" or "travelin'" eye as a part of herself. The story is inspired by the author's own experiences with amblyopia and strabismus. When Jenny Sue's teacher suggests that she sees an ophthalmologist about "fixing" her eye she told her parents that her eye was not broken. Jenny Sue makes it through the meeting with Dr. Dave who tells her that she has a "lazy eye" that needs to be woken up. So she got glasses and an eye patch (you cover your "good" eye with an eye patch because it makes your lazy eye work harder and get stronger). When she went to school all of the kids made fun of her for her eye patch but Jenny Sue got "creative" and made fashion patches which quickly became a trend.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! As someone who has amblyopia, like Jenny Sue, it was wonderful to find a children's book that I could relate to. The book is filled with beautiful multi-media illustrations by the author herself with fun "wandering"text. As a teacher I would use this book to talk to my students about physical difference and how much words can hurt. I think that students who wear glasses or who have ever had to wear a patch would find this story very inspirational and helpful.

[(NS) Laura Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jenny Sue is a young girl who has a lazy eye. She feels more comfortable referring to it as a travelin' eye. Jenny Sue's teacher suggests that she see an ophthalmologist because of the lazy eye. Once Jenny Sue overcomes her fear of the ophthalmologist, she finds out that she needs glasses and she needs to wear a patch. Jenny Sue did not enjoy wearing the patch to school, until one day her mom suggests making a fashion patch. All of the kids loved Jenny Sue's fashion patch, that they wanted to make their own! When Jenny Sue returns to the ophthalmologist, she finds out that her lazy eye has gotten better and she no longer needs to wear the patch.
This is a wonderful story that sends a positive message to young children about overcoming a handicap or a disability. Jenny Sue was able to accept her lazy eye and learned to become comfortable with herself. I think this would be a great book to use with young children to promote a conversation about differences and how we can accept one another. I think it also sends the message of being proud of who you are, and being comfortable in your own skin.

[L- Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenny Sue was born with a wandering eye, instead of her eyes looking in the same direction at the same time, her eyes look in different directions. As Jenny says, one eye is the navigator, and her wandering eye she calls the traveling eye, the one always looking for adventures. The teacher suggests one day that Jenny Sue go to the ophthalmologist who proceeds to put a patch on Jenny Sue’s navigator eye, saying she has a lazy eye.
This new patch made Jenny Sue afraid to go back to school again because she would look different. Until, her mother suggested they get creative, making a whole series of fashion patches. Jenny Sue’s patches quickly became the envy of her classmates. And the follow up visit to the doctor ensures she no longer needs the patch! She and her Mom decorate her beautiful new glasses.
This story offers such a positive and creative approach to the challenge that differences can bring amoung children. It would work very well in grades 1-3 classrooms. The illustrations are vibrant and create the sense of adventure that Jenny Sue admires.

[Ruth Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book about a girl who was different (she had a lazy eye) and how she coped through family support, creativity, and a helpful eye doctor. The illustrations are colorful multimedia gems and they create a happy mood. I learned what it is like to see when your eyes don't work together, and of course knowing and understanding increases compassion.

The one thing that I found odd about the story is that Jenny says her unusual eye was noticed shortly after birth. I kept wondering why the parents waited until she was seven before they took her to the doctor. Is this an unreliable narrator or did it really take the suggestion of a teacher to prompt the parents to seek medical assistance?

Author's Note: "Travelin' eye" or strabismus, is when one eye, or both eyes, misaligns and turns in, out, up, or down.
Lazy eye, or amblyopia, is reduced vision, when the brain does not fully acknowledge the images seen by the eye. Jenny Sue has both.