The Eyemonger
By Mandie Caroll,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Creepy but thought-provoking tale about safety and privacy.
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What's the Story?
THE EYEMONGER takes place in a happy town on an island in the sea, where a newcomer, a creature with a reptilian head, a long tail, and 103 eyes, has big plans for change. He''s gained the trust of residents by assuring them he would eliminate crime by watching everyone all the time. But the citizens soon realized they don't like being under constant supervision, especially by the Eyemonger's flying eyeballs, which fly into "every building, every house, every room" to watch and report back to their master any wrongdoing. People go out less and become afraid. A young artist named Griffi bravely challenges the Eyemonger's tactics, refusing to let him or his flying eyes into his house. While enduring the wrath of the Eyemonger, Griffin loses a lot. Will Griffin's art and creation ultimately save the day?
Is It Any Good?
This book is a thought-provoking, creative approach to teaching kids the value of privacy, but the implausible resolution may leave readers unsatisfied. The Eyemonger is truly creepy, in both story and pictures, which will appeal to many big kids. Books that tackle the serious issue of privacy are needed in kids' lit, and there's much to recommend about this book. Beckwith's steampunk-style art is excellent, atmospheric, and absorbing. Solove's rhyming text makes for a great read-aloud, and the story is mostly well-constructed. There's a gripping buildup of tension as the story approaches the climax, as Griffin, our hero, refuses to be spied on, the Eyemonger rages, and an army of rhinos charges toward Griffin.
Yet, the Eyemonger's lightening-quick change of heart feels unlikely given what readers know about the creature. Equally unbelievable is Griffin's lightening-quick forgiveness. Some kid readers will surely take it all in stride and not be bothered, but others may miss the overall important message of the book if hung up on why it was so easy for the conflict to be resolved. Still, this book has its place as a useful tool to start conversations about security, safety, surveillance, and privacy with big kids on the cusp of a life on the internet.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the issue of safety vs. privacy that comes up in The Eyemonger. What do you think about the Eyemonger's statement "If you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear"? When do you want to have privacy? What are your family's values about privacy?
How does the Eyemonger's thoughts about safety and privacy change over the course of the story?
How would you describe the art in this book? What would you say is more scary: the story or the art? Why?
Book Details
- Author: Daniel J. Solove
- Illustrator: Ryan D Beckwith
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Activism, Magic and Fantasy, Great Boy Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Griffin Press
- Publication date: May 13, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 11
- Number of pages: 48
- Available on: Hardback
- Last updated: May 14, 2021
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