Little Albatross

by Michael Morpurgo

The last snows of winter are melting away and Little Albatross sits snug in the warmth of Mother Albatross' feathers. He grows bigger and stronger, until one day Mother and Father Albatross go fishing together, leaving Little Albatross alone for the first time. Will they return in time to save him from the killer bird who is watching and waiting?

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Sir Michael Andrew Morpurgo, OBE, FRSL is the author of many books for children, five of which have been made into films. He also writes his own screenplays and libretti for opera. Born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, in 1943, he was evacuated to Cumberland during the last years of the Second World War, then returned to London, moving later to Essex. After a brief and unsuccessful spell in the army, he took up teaching and started to write. He left teaching after ten years in order to set up 'Farms for City Children' with his wife. They have three farms in Devon, Wales and Gloucestershire, open to inner city school children who come to stay and work with the animals. In 1999 this work was publicly recognised when he and his wife were invested a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to youth. In 2003, he was advanced to an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL) in 2004. He was knighted in the 2018 for his services to literature and charity. He is also a father and grandfather, so children have always played a large part in his life. Every year he and his family spend time in the Scilly Isles, the setting for three of his books.

Reviews

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Little Albatross’ is an intriguing tale of the perilous life of an albatross chick who lives with his parents on a cliff top overlooking the sea. When his parents consider him big and strong enough, they leave him and go out in search of food. None of them realised that a killer bird was watching and waiting for just such a moment, and none of them had imagined the danger that awaited Mother and Father Albatross out at sea.

This book is a cleverly compiled device that serves to inform young minds, and sensitise them to the harshness of the natural world and how human survival activity threatens the survival of other species.

Michael Morpurgo adopts the stance of educator-entertainer to present this gripping story using consecutive, brief sentences and repetition to create impact and suspense. His generous use of common adjectives, singly, as well as in twos or even fours (e.g."...bigger, stronger, hungrier, noisier" teases the imagination. The child-like repeated use of "and" (e.g. "...his wings were long and wide and wonderful.") both reflects and generates excitement.

Throughout the story, the themes of family, duty, shared responsibility and the fickle nature of life are inescapable. Equally unmissable is the flair with which Morpurgo portrays pro-conservation attitudes among trawler fishermen, thus challenging the contrary generalisation.

'The Little Albatross' is further enhanced by Michael Foreman's eye-catching illustrations throughout. The text occupies the smaller proportion of each page in comparison to the realistic illustrations, and is laid out in a variety of locations requiring the reader to engage with every page.

'Little Albatross' is a book of many virtues - education, awareness-raising and immense entertainment. A truly breathtaking reading experience that culminates in delightful relief.

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Albatross by Michael Morpurgo, Illustrator Michael Foreman- Children’s illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of a new born Albatross who is saved by his parents, mother and father Albatross from attach of another bird. On the coast of sea, while the snow is receding an albatross is born. He snugs to the warmth of his mother’s feathers. He is fed by them with fish. When his stomach is full, he goes to sleep. As the Albatross grows bigger and stronger his parents leave him alone and fly to fishing expedition. They find that a ship is moving in the sea and lot of fish are following the ship. They plan to catch the fish. In fact, the albatross couple are unable to view the fine net with which fishes have been caught by the shipmen. Albatross couple are also trapped in the net. Shipmen pull the net towards the ship. Just then, a whale attacks and breaks the net. The fishes return to the sea but the albatross are weak and they lie on the deck of the ship. Shipmen feed them. By evening, the albatross couple gather strength and fly to their nest. They find that another killer bird has attacked their child albatross. The attacker bird hears the shrill shout of the mother albatross and flies away. Albatross couple chases the bird whose flies away fast. Coloured illustrations help the reader to relate to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes it is a little implausible that everything works out so well, but it's a sweet little story, with a bit of dramatic tension. Little Albatross is born a downy bundle of fluff, dependent on his parents for food and safety. As he grows they leave him on his own, but the killer bird draws closer. Will his parents return home in time to save Little Albatross. A story with the message that you can trust your parents will return, for the younger set. Some environmental messages for the somewhat older reader. Beautifully illustrated in chilly colours.