School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-Jennifer Jean has beautiful green eyes, but when she begins to squint and tilt her head to look at things, her parents notice that her eyes have crossed. Her friends tease her, calling her ``Jennifer Jean, Cross-eyed Queen.'' The doctor then gives her a patch and sparkling green glasses. At first, they make everything blurry, but after a while she gets used to them. When she no longer needs to wear the patch, she is given special eye exercises to do. Finally, she goes off to kindergarten with perfectly straight eyes. Naylor's story of a self-confident little girl who makes the most of what sets her apart will reassure children who share her problem. In a couple of nice touches, an older boy talks to her about how happy he is since he got his eyes straightened, and one of her friends has his ears fixed so they don't stick out. Ritz's bright watercolor illustrations capture the love and support that surround this little girl, as well as the taunting of her friends. In addition to its obvious bibliotherapeutic uses, this book should appeal to young readers and listeners who like a strong heroine.-Jeanne Marie Clancy, Upper Merion Township Library, King of Prussia, PA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Feisty Jennifer Jean is not sure she wants the doctor to fix her crossed eyes to look like everyone else's. But even with an eye patch -- which turns her into a pirate queen -- and, finally, with straight eyes and sparkly, green glasses, she finds she remains the same unique person. While the lifelike illustrations are rather precious, the strong main character prevails. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
