Book 2 is out in print!

Book 2 (Patch Land Adventures) "Camping at Mimi's Ranch)is now available to order! you can order from my website: www.patchlandadventures.com or amazon.com barnes&noble.com and other on line. you can buy my books now from the UK, Australia, Europe. Hope to have them in several libraries as well and local book stores along with my book one that are already placed there.

Holiday Book signing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LQf80c-6Xg8

Interview with Award Winning Author Carmen Swick - Page 2 - Books - Blogcritics

Click on link to read the interview by Nicole Weaver.

Interview with Award Winning Author Carmen Swick - Page 2 - Books - Blogcritics

Allison's Book Bag

By Allison's Book Bag. Interview with Carmen Swick Patch Land Adventures by Carmen Swick Posted by: Allison on: October 13, 2012 What happens if you’re a mom and your son is diagnosed with Amblyopia and Strabismus? Well, first, you might ask what those terms mean? Amblyopia is the loss of one eye’s ability to see details. It is considered the most common cause of vision problems in children and can lead to blindness if undetected. Strabismus is a disorder in which the two eyes do not line up in the same direction, and therefore do not look at the same object at the same time. Next, if you’re Carmen Swick, you might decide to write a series of books. Patch Land Adventures is intended to help ease the time for other children who need to use a patch and to let the them know that they could do anything. Swick hopes that ultimately the series will also help educate others about why a child might be wearing an eye patch. She desires to bring awareness to low vision and to stress how important it is for children of a very young age to see a pediatrician eye doctor. A child wearing an eyepatch in an attempt to cure Amblyopia. Her own son, Preston, is legally blind in his left eye and needs to keep up with his eye patching six to eight hours a day. As with many other children with the same ailments, her son must wear a patch over the stronger eye in order to strengthen the weaker eye. He also has a patch dog buddy. The series features Preston having various adventures while wearing his patch. In Fishing with Grandpa, Preston spends a day at the brook with his Grandpa catching fish. When he returns home and climbs into bed, he takes off his patch but dreams of adventures where everyone wears a patch. In Patch Land, Preston can do amazing things like fly a jet in the sky like spies but also more ordinary things like play baseball with neighborhood friends and dogs. The next day he has an eye appointment, where his status is updated. Afterwards, Preston and his mom have an outing of their own to celebrate. The next book in the series will be Camping at Mimi’s Ranch.

Book Award!

I am excited to share with you that my book won an award! Carmen Swick: Award winning author! so grateful and humble! Thank you Page Lambert for your editing and guidance! And Joey Manfre my illustrator! my team! Patch Land Adventures (Book One) "Fishing with Grandpa", a 2012 SEAL OF EXCELLENCE AWARD (Kids Books category)

Book Review,by, Little Four Eyes, Ann Z.

Books about patching: Review“PatchLand Adventures: Fishing with Grandpa” “PatchLand Adventures: Fishing with Grandpa” by Carmen Swick is a book based on her son’s experiences with patching. Preston’s best buddy is his dog, Beau, and they do everything together, including wearing an eye patch to treat amblyopia. In this first Patchland Adventures book, Preston and Beau go fishing with grandpa. After a busy day of fishing, he heads to bed with his eye patch under his pillow. That leads him to dream of a world wear all the animals wear patches (and fly planes and play baseball). The next morning, he and his dog head to his eye doctor appointment where he learns that his eye is getting stronger, but he still needs to continue patching. His eye doctor also explains a bit about amblyopia and patching treatment. It’s kind of funny that this book, with a talking dog and dreams of other animals wearing patches, is really quite realistic, in some respects. I really appreciated the Preston’s honesty in the very first page of the book where he talks to his dog about needing to patch: “Mom says we have to put on our eye patches on so our weak eye can get stronger.” “I don’t want to wear it either, but we can do anything with a patch on.” This book is unique, too, in that it shows only the middle part of the patching journey – that long hard slog through patching every single day. It does not talk about the beginning of the patching journey, when a child first starts dealing with patching, and it doesn’t show an ending of the patching either. While Preston’s vision has improved at the end of the book, he still needs to continue patching. When Zoe first read this book over a year ago, she was in the midst of patching, and about to head out to her first follow-up visit. I really appreciated the fact that this book helped to raise the possibility that her doctor might tell her she’d need to continue patching (and indeed, that’s what happened). Zoe enjoyed the book, and I think, related to the character of Preston, who did not like wearing an eye patch, but still did so and continued to pursue his favorite activities while patching. The story is told all through dialogue between the characters, with Preston narrating the dream. It is laid out a little like a comic book, with each page a separate panel, and the dialog set near the character speaking it. The illustrations, by Joey Manfre, are simple and bold. It is not my favorite style of illustration, but it fits the story. The author, Carmen Swick, has written two other stories about Preston’s PatchLand adventures. Book two “Camping at Mimi’s Ranch” is expected to be published this fall. She writes more about her family’s experiences on her blog Patch Land Writings. Full disclosure: I did receive a copy of her book for free last year when Zoe was going dealing with amblyopia. I do not believe that has influenced my review.

Wyatt takes Patch Land Adventures book to school

I wanted to share this , Makes my heart so happy to hear that my book has helped ease Wyatt's eye patching journey & help educate others! karen Acker, Thank you so much for sharing! best of luck to you Wyatt! & you look so handsome with the patch! Book 2 will be out soon!

My son Wyatt (age 6) brought this book to Kindergarten the other day and his teacher read it to the whole class. She said it was wonderful, and the students really understood Wyatt and his patch so much better :) He's actually very proud of his patch and I've noticed he's much happier to wear it since we started reading your book - can't wait for more!

I just received the Denver Chapter momentum award! what an honor out of all the Chapters! It's all because of team work! way to go Denver! There will be a cure for Blindness!

Parker book signing- Hi Everyone! If you are in the Parker area this Sat.! I will be signing and selling my Children's book, along with some wonderful local authors of all different genres. Also there will be several local merchants with great sales going on! never to early to start that holiday shopping! Hope to see you! Carmen:-)

Favorite Children's book

What was your favorite Children's book? I liked Pippi Longstockings! Of course I think reading is very important in so many levels! and what a great bonding time and life long memoires! I am a Children's book author and I think it is so special to see a child turn a page on the book with excitment to see what's next!

Touching Email By Amanda

I just received this email & wanted to share this with you. This is very humbling and validating. There are so many reason's why people have to eye patch.Even though in the book it says that Preston has to Patch because of his Ambyopia, It still sends the same message about why you need to eye patch and the out come! And of course I will be contacting this lady send her a signed copy of Patch Land Adventures with the hopes that I can help to ease their patching time & direct her to other helpful sites, Also I am sure they will really like the adventures in the book! Wishing this little girl the best!- Hi. I just learned of your book & I was wondering if you ever donate books to libraries or anything? I would love this book but I can't afford it right now. I have 2 children & am on disability so am always broke. We could always check it out from our local library here if they were to have a book though. My youngest daughter will be 1 next month & my oldest will be 3 a few days after. I think this book would help my oldest to understand my younger daughter better & will help my younger daughter when she is a little older & can understand books. She was born with a cataract that was removed at 10 weeks old & she now wears a contact & we patch 4 hours a day while she is awake. She also developed Glaucoma because of the surgery. We are trying very hard to preserve the sight in her eye. I see on your blog you have the cover for book 2. I'm so glad you are making a series of books & not just stopping at one book! My oldest loves horses so I will have to show the cover to her & point out the boy wearing a patch like her sister. If you are interested in donating a book to the library here, I can contact them to see what needs to be done. I just thought it couldn't hurt to ask you. We would love to have the opportunity to read this book & anymore you write in the future! It would be an honor to us. Thank you for writing these books & for the blog. I know this is a huge help to many families. Amanda -- Carmen Swick www.patchlandadventures.com

What a wonderful morning I had at the La Petite Academy school in Parker, Reading my Children's book to a great little group of kids! Love the questions they ask! :)

Monday, May 7th marks the beginning of Children's Book Week; a week-long national celebration of books and reading for youth. I will be offering free shipping for the whole wk.! click on local pick up when checking out! go to- http://patchlandadventures.com

With a heavy heart we just said goodbye to our dog Dunhill! He will be missed! A note from Dunhill: If it should be that I grow frail and weak,and pain should keep me from my sleep,then will you do what must be done,for this battle can't be won. You will be sad I understand,but don't let grief stay your hand,for on this day,more then the rest,Your love and friendship must stand the test. We have had so many happy years,you wouldn't want me to suffer so,when the time comes,please let me go. Take me to where my needs they'll tend and stay with me till the end. And hold me firm and speak to me,until my eyes no longer see,I know in time you will agree, it is kindness you that you have done for me. Although my tail its last has waved, from pain and suffering I have been saved. Don't grieve that it must be you, who has to decide this thing to do. We've been so close, we two,these years, don't let your heart hold any tears. Love Dunhill

I am so excited to share with you my new cover for book 2 (Camping at Mimi's Ranch)! My illustrator Joey Manfre did such a wonderful job! cant wait for the book to be out in print late summer!

Book interview

I would love for you to click on this link and share my interview with you.Have a great day! http://networkedblogs.com/vOtIc

Yesterday my son Preston had his eye appt. it was not the news we had hoped for! It was an emotional day! Then it was time to get new glasses and sport specs. The tech came out and said we cant cut the lenses here for his specs. he has to much prescription, it needs to be sent out for special! the way she delivered the message was hurtful to my son! I of course corrected her in a respectful manner! My son will and has had sport specs, so I guess you will make it work, because i dont like the alternative! Kids need to protect their eyes during sports! Preston said to me I guess they dont like people with bad eyes here! I said you don't have bad eyes and never did! and may I add how beautiful your eyes are! you wear glasses like millions of other kids do! We went on to pick out a couple of awesome new glasses! he is excited to get them! We had lunch and then bought him a pair of blk. dress pants, shirt,tie and vest for his continuation! he looks so handsome! I am very proud of my son! he works hard in school, great in sports, dirt biking, etc. Well mannered young man! He has been a great role model for kids that have to eye patch and wear glasses! Where Preston started his journey before patching to now! I am so glad he worked so hard to improve sight in his left eye! I am blessed to have such a wonderful son!

Ways to Help Kids Cope with Life Problems Through Reading

This post was written by Stacie Grissom, Reading Kingdom Blog Ways to Help Kids Cope with Life Problems Through Reading January 25, 2012 As adults, people always reminisce about childhood and think about how easy life was 20, 30, 40 years ago. There were no responsibilities, no stresses, no problems. But being a kid is never easy– especially a kid who is different and sticks out from the kid crowd. I’ve worn glasses since I was six and while I was never picked on, (that I remember) I do remember when my mom tried to make me feel comfortable wearing them around other kids. One my first day at kindergarten with my new pink wire-frames, not only did my mom buy tiny little doll glasses for my favorite doll, she also asked my teacher if I could do a special show-and-tell session to explain my new specs. Maybe it was because I am her oldest child or maybe she worries too much, but either way, there are many ways that parents try to help their kids cope with change. A great way to help kids deal with changes like glasses is through books. At my day job, I write for Reading Glasses Shopper where I’ve compiled a list of kids’ books about glasses, so I’m always on the lookout for a new book. There are books to help kids cope with divorce. Books on how to help kids cope with a new sibling. Books on how to cope with death, the responsibility of a new pet, friendship troubles, and life. One book that I read recently, Patch Land Adventures, helps kids with Amblyopia, or “lazy eye”. Patch Land Adventures is written by Carmen Swick, the mother of Preston who was diagnosed with Amblyopia. Just like my mom tried to help me deal with wearing glasses by requesting a show-and-tell session in school, Carmen helps her son with Amblyopia by writing a book. The coolest thing about living in the Internet age is that the power of the media does not rest entirely with companies like Conde Nast or Random House. Bloggers and self-published authors have a voice in the fragmented media world. If you have a passion for something, you can be heard. Patch Land Adventures is about Preston’s time wearing an eye patch to help correct his Amblyopia. The book shows that children can carry on with their normal activities and social interactions even if they are a little different–because everyone is different. Carmen shows that patching is not only easy, it can also be a source of imagination inspiration. Preston’s dreamscapes of Patch Land are fun and quirky, where everyone wears a patch and plays to their heart’s content. I admire any parent’s effort to make their child more confident and well-rounded, and I really admire Carmen’s passion for creating awareness of Amblyopia. Books and reading really can make a difference in a child’s life by making them aware that other people have the same struggles and that there is always someone who shares their experience. Stacie Grissom Stacie Grissom is a writer about all things glasses for Reading Glasses Shopper where she talks about everything from bifocals to sun readers. She is also working on a list of kids' books about glasses, so if you have any suggestions, feel free to comment! Stacie recently received her Bachelor’s degree in English Writing from DePauw University in Indiana. In her spare time, she loves to read, sew, and forage through thrift stores.

HAPPY NEW YEARS! 2012!

Happy New Years! Wishing you the best in 2012! May you find great adventures! http://www.patchlandadventures.com