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Justina Chen
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The Patch Hardcover – February 1, 2006

by Justina Chen Headley (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 783 ratings
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The kids at school want to know why Becca is wearing glasses and a patch. Instead of telling them she has amblyopia, Becca leads her friends on imaginative adventures to explain her new fashion accessory. Mitch Vane's illustrations capture the spunky exuberance of this resourceful heroine.
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  1. Reading age
    3 - 6 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 3
  5. Dimensions
    8.75 x 0.5 x 11.25 inches
  6. Publisher
    Charlesbridge
  7. Publication date
    February 1, 2006
  8. ISBN-10
    1580890490
  9. ISBN-13
    978-1580890496
  10. See all details
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New in teachers' picks. More children's books by grade. New in teachers' picks. More children's books by grade.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2–What could have been a saccharine and didactic message book about accepting differences is, instead, a lovely and surprising story that will certainly be enjoyed as a read-aloud. Beccas doctor discovers that shes got a lazy eye and needs a patch and glasses to strengthen her eyesight. The five-year-old is worried that the other students will think she looks stupid so, to boost her confidence, her older brother lends her his favorite pirate costume to go with her purple glasses and bright pink patch (this girl is clearly partial to pink). The bold hues in the cartoonlike watercolors reinforce Beccas and her classmates energy. The students are fascinated as she plays Becca the Ballerina Pirate, Private Eye, and One-Eyed Monster before admitting the real reason for her patch. The illustrations dance off the pages, and Beccas exuberance shines through.–Genevieve Gallagher, Murray Elementary School, Charlottesville, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. Five-year-old aspiring dancer Becca is furious when she learns about her lazy eye: "Ballerinas don't wear glasses. And they especially do NOT wear patches!" She grudgingly chooses purple glasses and a pink eye patch, but she's doesn't want to go to school the next morning: "Everyone is going to think I look stupid." Then her brother offers to lend her his pirate costume, to match her patch, and Becca becomes Ballerina Pirate, dancing her way through class. By the end of the day, all the kids yearn for a patch like Becca's. The split-second reversal from despondent patch hater to Ballerina Pirate may seem a bit abrupt to some children, especially those struggling to accept patches (or other corrective gear) of their own. Still, this is a well-paced, reassuring offering on an unusual topic, and the bright, cheerful, scribbly drawings of twirling, high-spirited Becca and her friends reinforce the messages of normalcy and acceptance. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Charlesbridge (February 1, 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1580890490
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1580890496
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 6 years, from customers
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.75 x 0.5 x 11.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 783 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Justina Chen

Justina Chen

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Justina Chen was fated to be a storyteller. After all, her middle name means illuminate, which is what she aims to do with her novels: to be a light in the world.

Her novels include North of Beautiful, a finalist for 9 state book awards. Nothing but the Truth (and a few white lies), winner of the Asian Pacific American Literature Award. Additionally, she's written a beloved picture book, The Patch, a number of other YA novels, and multiple storytelling guides for leaders.

Justina's next book is With Twice the Love, Dessie Mei, her debut middle grade novel for young readers, coming in May 2024. The book is available for pre-order now.

While she calls the Northwest home, Justina feels at ease wherever she goes so long as she has her coconut black tea, books, and a notebook.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
783 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Sherri Mostrom
5.0 out of 5 stars Informative
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2024
Verified Purchase
Cute book to help in a child understand that patches are ok. Our little one was having a hard time with all the questions people were saying about her without talking to her directly. Mom what is wrong with that girl, is her eye missing why is that on her eye, etc. It got to the point she felt something was wrong with her, she is only 5 and did not understand curiosity of others. She got to where it was a fight to make her wear one, and she was in severe need to for correcting her eye. This book was a great help in her understanding and a way for us to open up her thoughts on why questions and it gave her the power to stand up and answer for herself.
One person found this helpful
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Emily i
5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable book
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2024
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My 3 year old niece has the same eye condition as the girl from the book. She really loves this story. My niece didn’t like to wear her patch, so watching another girl make patch wearing fun, really helped her.
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Anon.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great for little patchers.
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2022
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The book was really helpful this year when my 7 year old had to go back to patching. The first time we patched she was a baby so there was no issues with self confidence. This year however we moved to a new town and started at a new school and had to start patching again. Naturally my little one had anxiety about starting a new school and having to patch and feared being different and the possibility of being teased. This book helped tremendously. Highly reccomend for any parents of little girls who patch with glasses
2 people found this helpful
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Jennifer Casterlin
5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2023
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Got this for a family member who had to wear a patch, the story is precious. The art is so cute and I love the inclusivity.
One person found this helpful
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Tori
4.0 out of 5 stars Daughter loved it
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2023
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Bought it for my daughters class when she had to patch and she liked showing it to her classmates.
One person found this helpful
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Mom of 6
5.0 out of 5 stars Wish I'd bought it sooner
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2014
Verified Purchase
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.*)
16 people found this helpful
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Tig
5.0 out of 5 stars She loves it
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2022
Verified Purchase
Our daughter loves this book so much and it’s helped with her confidence in having to wear an eye patch. Thank you so much for creating a book for kids out there who have to wear one, she reads it to herself all the time and wants it as her bedtime story more often than not. Fantastic book!
One person found this helpful
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Jess
5.0 out of 5 stars Helps
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2023
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My daughter has to where a patch and this book helped her feel more comfortable about wearing it to school
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Top reviews from other countries

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Perry
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 15, 2022
Verified Purchase
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!
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Savanna Brady
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
Reviewed in Germany on December 8, 2021
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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
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Krista Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars A great book to introduce kids to wearing an eye patch
Reviewed in Canada on January 19, 2019
Verified Purchase
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.
One person found this helpful
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Elena
5.0 out of 5 stars Una buena historia para niños con parche
Reviewed in Spain on June 26, 2020
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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.
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Ashley
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book
Reviewed in Canada on November 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
My daughter loves this story. It is so helpful when they are first starting to patch!
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