Charlesbridge Publishing The Patch

My little girl is on her journey with glasses and has to patch. Its been a struggle, but she gets excited when we re read this book all about patching

I have a girl who started patching for amblyopia at age 5. I saw this book online then, but I wasn't sure from the reviews I'd seen at the time if it would really be a good fit for her. I eventually bought it last year when she had to return to patching. Wow, I wish I'd bought it sooner as the character matched my girl a lot: about the same age at diagnosis, also had reddish hair, loved dance, and was picky about which color of glasses and patch she wore. Some reviewers thought it strange that the character didn't want to explain the patch to her friends and instead hide behind her imagination by pretending to be a pirate, one-eyed monster, etc. I totally get that, though, as the character was very out-going and fun-loving but still felt embarrassed by her patch, which is something I think kids will relate to well. Very few kids WON'T feel embarrassed wearing a patch--especially to school, and I think a story that doesn't address that issue that older kids (as in 3 or 4 and older) will have isn't helpful. In the end, it's no big deal that the character has to wear a patch. Her friends are still her friends. (*I personally recommend NOT having your child wear a patch at the start of a new school year. Wait a month or so to allow his/her classmates to see your child for who he/she really is, and THEN introduce the patch with the help of your child's teacher and a great book like this read to and discussed with the class.*)

Es un libro que cuenta una historia en inglés que está muy bien para animar a que los niños utilicen su parche o gafas, es una historia divertida de una niña y su relación con el parche y sus amigos. Aunque a mi hijo de 2años y medio no he conseguido convencerle, pero creo que está muy bien para niños más mayores.

We have just found out my niece of 6 years is blind in one eye. As for many this was very hard to hear. She will be going to eye hospitals for more tests and moreover they will trial a patch to see if they can strengthen the eye at all we are very hopeful. She will also need glasses. My sister has been completely honest with my niece and I brought this book to help as my niece is very timid and worried what others say and if she will be ugly with it. This book most definitely put a smile on her face which was massively needed! Well done to Justina Chen Headley the author and Mitch Vane the illustrator for helping young girls/boys feel better about themselves and covering every aspect needed!

I purchased this shortly after we discovered our daughter would need to wear a patch for most of the day, everyday. This book has helped to make it seem less scary and helped to normalize this stage she's in. Her teacher has read it to the class (ages 4-6) as well so they can also understand better. I'd recommend the book for any little girl who has discovered she has to wear a patch to understand she's not alone and that it's all about getting better.