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Albert the Albatross
Albert finds his way home to the ocean with the help of a lady tourist—and her hat. ‘Many economical words are briskly exchanged before the happy ending.’ —Saturday Review.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1961
2 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Syd Hoff
212 books72 followersWhether you’re seven or seventy, the chances are you’ve probably come in contact with one of his many books (150 plus), or cartoons that have appeared in over 200 magazines in the course of his lifetime, including Laugh it Off which was syndicated for 20 years. His comic strip Tuffy, about a little girl who did funny things, was declared essential for national morale during WWII by William Randolph Hearst.
Syd has worked in diverse genres. He had the distinct honor of working with Alfred Hitchcock and Ellery Queen as a contributor of short fiction writing. He was awarded national advertising commissions for large companies such as Chevrolet, Maxwell House Coffee and others. He had his own TV show (Tales of Hoff on CBS), traveled the world as entertainment on cruise ships and entertained children and teachers in schools and libraries across the country.
Syd has worked in diverse genres. He had the distinct honor of working with Alfred Hitchcock and Ellery Queen as a contributor of short fiction writing. He was awarded national advertising commissions for large companies such as Chevrolet, Maxwell House Coffee and others. He had his own TV show (Tales of Hoff on CBS), traveled the world as entertainment on cruise ships and entertained children and teachers in schools and libraries across the country.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 1, 2018
An enjoyable, fun book with a unique storyline that brings delight to a reader of any age, Albert the Albatross has a sweet, non-sarcastic humor to it. Loved it.
Side note: As someone who doesn't believe in "luck" (part of the book's theme), I'd change that word to "joy" or something when reading it to little children. :-)
Side note: As someone who doesn't believe in "luck" (part of the book's theme), I'd change that word to "joy" or something when reading it to little children. :-)
July 15, 2016
An intrepid albatross leads us on a surprisingly wide variety of adventures in this offering from early in the career of respected New Yorker artist and children's author Syd Hoff. Albatrosses are considered good luck by sailors, but this particular specimen travels as much over land as sea, as we observe in this easy reader devoted to the escapades of a special albatross named Albert.
All seems well aboard the ocean liners Albert favors with his presence. Skies are sunny and clear, and the waters lie smooth as blown glass. Without Albert, storms and other maladies feel ominous, but a faithful albatross won't stay gone forever. He has things to do and birds to visit on land, but always en route back to the ocean where he belongs, and his unorthodox method of gaining passage onto the boat he loves best surprises a lot of people, even the seamen who regard Albert as an old friend. It's comforting to have him around when they embark on a long voyage, a mascot to keep the sailors' spirits high as they set off for distant ports. And Albert is right in the middle of the action.
Albert the Albatross features several amusing scenes, not least of which is the surprise involving the woman in the hat store, but there's more to the book than comedy. We all rest easier when our good luck charm is near, whether or not it has any tangible effect on our fortunes. It's nice to have it close by to set our mind at ease. Albert the Albatross is a whimsical story from cover to cover, and I'd give it one and a half stars. Strictly as a reading primer, you won't find much better than this. I suspect Albert the Albatross will be loved by many generations of kids as they discover for themselves the joys of reading.
All seems well aboard the ocean liners Albert favors with his presence. Skies are sunny and clear, and the waters lie smooth as blown glass. Without Albert, storms and other maladies feel ominous, but a faithful albatross won't stay gone forever. He has things to do and birds to visit on land, but always en route back to the ocean where he belongs, and his unorthodox method of gaining passage onto the boat he loves best surprises a lot of people, even the seamen who regard Albert as an old friend. It's comforting to have him around when they embark on a long voyage, a mascot to keep the sailors' spirits high as they set off for distant ports. And Albert is right in the middle of the action.
Albert the Albatross features several amusing scenes, not least of which is the surprise involving the woman in the hat store, but there's more to the book than comedy. We all rest easier when our good luck charm is near, whether or not it has any tangible effect on our fortunes. It's nice to have it close by to set our mind at ease. Albert the Albatross is a whimsical story from cover to cover, and I'd give it one and a half stars. Strictly as a reading primer, you won't find much better than this. I suspect Albert the Albatross will be loved by many generations of kids as they discover for themselves the joys of reading.
March 24, 2026
An old family favorite beginner book.
June 19, 2025
There are only ninety-nine words in ALBERT THE ALBATROSS, but it will take children at least nine thousand and nine words to describe their enjoyment of it! ~ from the book cover description.
That old-style description of this perennial classic made me smile. This I Can Read Book was first published more than sixty years ago, but it is still helping children practice their reading today.
Why? The low number of unique words, engaging and charming illustrations, the humor in Albert's story, and the happy ending all combine to give the early reader an enjoyable and successful reading experience.
Sometimes all it takes is one book to captivate a reader and point them to a lifetime of good habits. This may be the one.
Thank you to my friend Cam for reminding me of this and other little gems by Syd Hoff. There will be three more to come: Chester, Danny and the Dinosaur, and The Horse in Harry's Room.
That old-style description of this perennial classic made me smile. This I Can Read Book was first published more than sixty years ago, but it is still helping children practice their reading today.
Why? The low number of unique words, engaging and charming illustrations, the humor in Albert's story, and the happy ending all combine to give the early reader an enjoyable and successful reading experience.
Sometimes all it takes is one book to captivate a reader and point them to a lifetime of good habits. This may be the one.
Thank you to my friend Cam for reminding me of this and other little gems by Syd Hoff. There will be three more to come: Chester, Danny and the Dinosaur, and The Horse in Harry's Room.
July 27, 2022
Albert the Albatross by Syd Hoff, Hindi language translation by Arvind Gupta- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the journey of an albatross named Albert. An albatross is a large sea whose view is considered lucky by sailors. First, Albert is seen by a sailor in ship. The weather starts getting bad and the albatross flies away towards the land. In the city, Albert meets a bird in a cage, a woodpecker, a bird on the church stand. Albert enquires whether they have seen the sea but these birds reply in the negative. Albert plans to move on the ship which is about to start. Albert sits on a cap. A lady who is travelling purchases the cap and boards the ship. Here all sailors view Albert and are happy that their journey will be safe and happy. Coloured illustrations help the reader in relating to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.
January 8, 2019
Albert the Albatross was a bird that all the sailors liked because they considered him good luck. A storm blew the ship off course and Albert had to land in a city. Albert finally made his way back to the ship, but how he did it was amazing.
September 16, 2020
Albert was an albatross, a bird who lived on the ocean. Sailors were glad to see him. One foggy day he couldn't see the ocean and in searching for it he ended up in a hat shop - on a hat! Cute and funny story that is easy for early readers. Fun illustrations.
August 24, 2023
Once again, Hoff has really fun illustrations, but not much of a story. Still, what's there will do. It's about an albatross named Albert who loses his friends, a group of humans on a ship, in a storm and winds up on land and is trying to find his way back to the ocean. My rating - 2/5
October 11, 2017
My son loves this book. We read it every night. Cute and easy book
May 31, 2023
Great early reader for a 7-9 year old beginner reader!
July 17, 2013
Albert was an albatross. Sailors were happy when he flew near their ship. One day there was a terrible storm. The wind blew and blew. Albert got lost in the storm and could not find his way home. Attempting to find his way home Albert encounters some interesting people and situations.
The author uses tension as a craft of writing and a method of engaging the reader. Regarding young readers, he uses this craft light-hearted but well implemented. Specifically, the author uses person versus nature (or bird versus nature) to lay the foundation of the story. This conflict or tension leads the reader to the introduction of characters and the resolution to the problem.
This book can be used to introduce or supplement a lesson of tension within a story or poem. After reading this book and modeling an example, students can create a story utilizing the concept of person versus nature. Students will understand the various types of tension and the importance of it.
The author uses tension as a craft of writing and a method of engaging the reader. Regarding young readers, he uses this craft light-hearted but well implemented. Specifically, the author uses person versus nature (or bird versus nature) to lay the foundation of the story. This conflict or tension leads the reader to the introduction of characters and the resolution to the problem.
This book can be used to introduce or supplement a lesson of tension within a story or poem. After reading this book and modeling an example, students can create a story utilizing the concept of person versus nature. Students will understand the various types of tension and the importance of it.
February 1, 2018
I love Syd Hoff's illustrations and you can't really go wrong with his stories either. This one's short and cute!
Reading Level: K - 3rd grades
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
Reading Level: K - 3rd grades
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
June 26, 2013
Sailors need good luck and something to believe in. Albert was their good luck bird. When he got lost he asked many birds where the ocean was but they did not know. It was nice to see him find his way home. Great book to read aloud
April 5, 2016
The Navy thinks that Albatross birds are good luck, and Albert is a special one. He gets lost and tries to find his way back, the story takes us through his journey to get back to where people think he's special.
July 25, 2016
Shorter than most of the other Syd Hoff books that I've read, and yet still just as cute and endearing.
February 5, 2016
134 - 2016
April 12, 2022
AR 1.6
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews