Albert Edition 1. [Hardcover]

Lani Yamamoto (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 8, 2004 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Albert

Illustrated by Lani Yamamoto

Meet Albert, a little boy with big ideas and even bigger questions, such as, "If I am in my house, and my house is in the street, near the park, in the town..." What is the answer? The first in a three-book philosophy series, Albert is a disarmingly witty yet simple story that introduces the concept of infinity to young readers.

Author Lani Yamamoto studied psychology and comparative theology. She worked as a film editor in Boston and now lives in Reykjavik, Iceland, with her husband and children. (20050301)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2 - Minimal text that celebrates a creative young philosopher pairs perfectly with spare, color cartoon drawings for a short trek into relativity. On a rainy day, Albert uses his imagination to swim with sharks (his aquarium fish), save animals from a flood (stuffed toys), and discover pirate treasure (a coin under his bed). When there's nothing left to do, he considers his place in the world ("If I am in my house...and my house is in the street...in the town..."), which leads him to the final scene, a space journey. Yamamoto's writing is elegant, and her diminutive illustrations have varying perspectives. This pared-down version of reflections like Margery Cuyler's From Here to There (Holt, 1999) offers opportunity for older readers to ponder the universe, but the shard of a plot may be too little for those who need more concrete action. - Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA
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Review

"Striking a mood both playful and cerebral, Yamamoto may even inspire kids to do some space-time continuum musing of their own."
-- Publishers Weekly (December 2004) (Publisher's Weekly 20050201)

"Meet Albert, an inventive boy who has run out of ideas. His boredom leads him to think BIG, imaginative thoughts about the universe. Yamamoto?s graceful illustrations contribute to the simplicity -- and hugeness -- of Albert?s pondering. A gem of a book."
-- Scholastic Parent & Child (March 2005) (Doody Enterprises )

"Minimal text that celebrates a creative young philosopher pairs perfectly with spare, color cartoon drawings for a short trek into relativity. On a rainy day, Albert uses his imagination to swim with sharks (his aquarium fish), save animals from a flood (stuffed toys), and discover pirate treasure (a coin under his bed). When there?s nothing left do, he considers his place in the world ("If I am in my house" and my house is in the street "in the town."), which leads him to the final scene, a space journey. Yamamoto?s writing is elegant, and her diminutive illustrations have varying perspectives."
--School Library Journal, February 2005 (School Library Journal )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press; 1 edition (September 8, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585362514
• ISBN-13: 978-1585362516
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,391,496 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book at Bedtime turns into Question Time!, November 11, 2004

By 

Alex Burke (MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Albert Edition 1. (Hardcover)

I was lucky enough to find this great little book on Amazon. We usually let our kids pick the books they want us to read when they go to sleep, and Albert has been selected quite often in recent weeks. And every time we finish reading Albert - we are bombarded with questions. They are falling asleep a bit later than usual - with a lot of unanswered questions in their heads. I can highly recommend Albert.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and thought-proviking, December 15, 2004

By 

Beth A B "Beth A B" (San Diego) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Albert Edition 1. (Hardcover)

Albert is one of those rare books that is both fun and thought-provoking. After I read it to my boys, my younger son wanted to build a cardboard-box rocketship and my older son wanted to talk about our place in the universe. At every level, this is a satisfying book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fresh and honest, October 21, 2005

By 

Giuliana Benedicty (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Albert Edition 1. (Hardcover)

I have purchased the book for every new child I know. The pictures have enough detail to involve the young ones and the simple question of the book instigates interaction from the older audience(including myself). I debated giving the books away. Very refreshing compared to most books that have the same stories hashed out over and over again.