About
Robert Benjamin Irwin loves to learn and explore. But when he’s five, his eyes grow red and painful from fever, and he loses his sight. Since he can no longer see, Robert focuses instead on what he can do: discovering new ways to learn and experience the world through sound.
As he grows up, Robert learns to read books written in Braille, a system of raised dots that can be read with fingers. But as much as he loves stories, he finds finger-reading Braille slow and difficult. He wishes he could listen to a story like he listens to the birds. So, with a team of audio engineers, Robert sets out to make it happen—and revolutionizes reading for people around the world.
Art direction and design by Michael McCartney
Developmental editing by Alex Borbolla
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Acclaim
“Fortson uses curved lines swirling across the pages to convey the sound waves so critical to Irwin’s experience of the world. Both the clear writing and the friendly art succeed at providing helpful details for readers to understand Irwin’s life and accomplishments.” —Horn Book Magazine
“Throughout this winning portrait, upbeat narration emphasizes Irwin’s resolve, while embroidery lends an appropriate sensory dimension to busy pages featuring scratchy digital drawings of the protagonist doggedly working to effect change.” —Publishers Weekly
“Makes a lesser-known historical figure relatable by focusing on Irwin’s childhood and professional journey, weaving together his drive and the stepping stones to his achievements, as well as the achievements themselves. Fortson’s digitally rendered images in mostly pastel colors with fine lines are further textured with scanned embroidered elements, and the stitches bring a satisfying trompe l’oeil physicality to a book about words’ ability to leave the printed page.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Focuses on Irwin’s desire to help others and his dogged determination to achieve his goals in spite of challenges.” —Booklist
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Availability
Simon & Schuster / BookShop / Barnes & Noble / Books-A-Million / Amazon
For best practices against capitalism, please order from an independent bookstore or check out books from your local library whenever possible. (And whenever you support queer- and BIPOC-owned bookstores, know that I am sending extra love and appreciation your way.)
