Albert

by Lani Yamamoto

Albert is bored. It is raining and he has finished playing all his games. So he looks out of the window and starts to wonder. "If I am in my house, and my house is in the street, near the park, in the town, and the town in is in the country, in the world, in the universe, then what is the universe in?" The first book in a fantastic new series that introduces philosophy to five year olds, Albert deals with the question of infinity in a way to which children everywhere will respond!

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Larissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful picture book! So simple, and yet it conveys such depth! The book is about Albert, a creative kid who briefly runs out of self-generated adventures on a rainy day, and begins to think about his place in the world. "If I'm in my house, and my house is in the street..." he begins to wonder, slowly moving outwards from himself until he finally reaches the universe. Which then begs the existential question: "what is the universe in?"

Lovely simple illustrations, too.

I read Albert in the Icelandic translation (learning the word "sjóræninggjafjársjóð," or pirate treasure, along the way) and was interested to find out that the author/illustrator, Lani Yamamoto has been living in Iceland for several years.

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple illustrations and text will make this book accessible to young learners. Children will be inspired to ponder the world in the same manner as Albert with the final question, "What is the universe in?" Children will also be able to connect with Albert's creativity and vivid imagination.

[Kristin McIlhagga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely small book about the possibilities of imagination. Albert is an insightful child whose imagination also leads him to consider where he is in the universe. Love the possibilities for philosophical discussion...

[Emelda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, thoughtful words and illustrations. A little boy, sick of being cooped up inside on a rainy day, ponders existence. In a the kid-friendly way.