Ein Seehund für Herrn Albert

by Judith Kerr

Von der Autorin von ›Als Hitler das rosa Kaninchen stahl‹

Was fängt man mit einem verlassenen Seehundkind an, das man an der Küste findet? Man nimmt es natürlich mit und schmuggelt es an dem herzlosen Hausmeister vorbei direkt in seine Badewanne! Genau das macht der alte Herr Albert – mit ungeahnten Folgen. Das fröhliche Robbenbaby Charlie plantscht sich nämlich nicht nur in Herrn Alberts Herz, sondern auch in das seiner zauberhaften Nachbarin Fräulein Craig. Aber weil Seehunde nun mal nicht in Badewannen leben dürfen, muss ein neues Zuhause für den kleinen Charlie her. Am besten eines, wo für die beiden Menschenfreunde auch noch Platz ist.

Ein hinreißender Roman über ein ebenso liebenswertes wie ungewöhnliches Haustier und wahre Tierliebe. Mit 60 zauberhaften Bleistiftillustrationen der Erfolgsautorin Judith Kerr.

Genres: Animals, Childrens, Chapter Books, Juvenile, Middle Grade

112 pages, Hardcover

First published September 10, 2015

About the author

Judith Kerr was a German-born British writer and illustrator who has created both enduring picture books such as the Mog series and The Tiger Who Came To Tea and acclaimed novels for older children such as the autobiographical When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit which give a child's-eye view of the Second World War.

Kerr was born in Berlin but left Germany with her parents and her brother, Michael, in 1933, soon after the Nazis first came to power. They were forced to leave as her father, noted drama critic, journalist and screenwriter Alfred Kerr, had openly criticised the Nazis,who burned his books shortly after the family had fled Germany. They travelled first to Switzerland and then on into France, before finally settling in Britain, where Kerr has lived ever since. She subsequently became a naturalised British citizen.

Reviews

[Sonja Rosa Lisa ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was für eine wunderschöne warmherzige Geschichte!
Es ist mein erstes Buch von Judith Kerr, obwohl ich schon lange "Als Hitler das rosa Kaninchen stahl" lesen wollte. Dieses Buch hat mich darin nur bestärkt.
Die Autorin hat einen wunderbaren Schreibstil.
"Ein Seehund für Herrn Albert" hat nur 112 Seiten, und trotzdem steckt so viel Gefühl in dem Buch. Das hat mich wirklich beeindruckt.
Humorvoll ist die Geschichte zudem.
Es ist ein wunderbares Kinderbuch, aber nicht nur Kinder sollten dieses Buch einmal zur Hand nehmen. Es lohnt sich!

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Retired shopkeeper Mr. Cleghorn, at something of a loss since selling his business, goes to visit his cousin William and his family at the seashore in this simple but engaging chapter-book from celebrated British children's author Judith Kerr. While on holiday, Mr. Cleghorn adopts an abandoned seal pup he had been observing, in order to spare its life, but finds that his plan to donate the orphaned wildling to a local zoo have hit a snag. Now he finds himself caring for Charlie, as he names the seal, in a small apartment where animals are forbidden. Fortunately for him, his neighbor, Miss Millicent Craig, is both sympathetic and knowledgeable about animals, and together they eventually find the best solution, for both Charlie and themselves...

Published in 2015, Mister Cleghorn's Seal was one of Kerr's last books (sadly, she died in 2019), and is based, according to the author's brief afterword, upon a story from her own father's youth. Apparently Father Kerr had once rescued a seal himself, and had attempted to care for it, with less than happy results. Judith Kerr grew up in a house which contained the stuffed remains of that unfortunate creature, and this story represents, as she herself acknowledges, an attempt to create a happier ending for this seal. It has a historical setting, which makes the premise more amenable, I think - if set today, we would hope and expect that a rescued seal would be taken to a wildlife organization that could rehabilitate it and rerelease it into the world - and an engaging hero. I enjoyed following along as Charlie leads Mister Cleghorn into both trouble, and eventually, toward happiness, and really loved the ending of the tale. The accompanying artwork has all of that vintage Kerr charm that one would expect, and adds to the reading pleasure. Recommended to beginning chapter-book readers who enjoy animal stories, as well as to fellow Kerr fans.

[Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of those rare children's books in which the main protagonist is not a child. Kerr's book is as lovely as you would expect. Here, she has embellished a tale she was told by her own father and set it in a time of her own youth (if not a little later).
Mister Cleghorn, a retired shopkeeper, finds himself caring for a young seal pup. When he takes him home to his flat, a series of events lead him to make some grand, life-changing decisions. After 37 years, this sees her return to the illustrated novel. Her fading line drawings are lovely and typical of Kerr's style; the one of Mr Cleghorn and Miss Craig hugging is especially enchanting. Kerr's ending here is classic happy ever after but, as often is the way, the reality of death and loss is there, subtly spoken, in the background. A wonderful KS1 book.

[Laura Frunza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pornind de la o întâmplare reală, dar cu final nefericit din copilăria ei, Judith Kerr creează o poveste dulce-amăruie cu care se va identifica orice iubitor de animale care a făcut măcar o dată imposibilul pentru a salva un pui de vrabie, o pisică abandonată sau un căţeluş flămând.

Full review aici: http://www.laurafrunza.com/2018/04/15...

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming story about a retired shopkeeper who rescues a seal pup and takes him home to live. This is also a sweet love story involving Mr. Cleghorn's kindly neighbor, Miss Craig, who helps care for the seal. The heartwarming plot and lovely illustrations would make for a delightful read aloud to younger children and a good choice for 3-5th grade readers who love animals and an old-fashioned setting and tone. British terms may be confusing to some children. Parents should read the afterward, which explains the true life inspiration for this story, to themselves before reading aloud. The origins of the story are far sadder than the fiction, which has a very happy ending.

[Wonderlake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure, we have a family obsession with seals. So when we saw this in the bookshop it was an insta-buy
Kiddo (10) may be a little too old for this as a share at bedtime story (we read it all in one gulp), but there was also sharp moments (loss of the seal mother,- possibly shot by fishermen; going out to shoot the pup - to save it from suffering) in this simple tale.
So Mr Cleghorn finds himself taking home the orphaned seal pup. There are a few comic moments, but it never became madcap. Overall this was a sweet, gentle story with shades of Esio Trot: the balcony, burgeoning friendship between Mr C and Miss Craig

[The Book Squirrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely story, with a happy ending, about people caring for animals! I listened to the audio, read by Bill Nighy, who is a wonderful narrator.
The audio misses out on the pictures, of course, but the story itself is engaging. It's more of a short story rather than a picture book (it's about an hour long), and would work well for a "quiet time" in kindergartens or junior primary classes.
The audio includes the afterword read by Judith Kerr, about the seal her grandfather looked after before the Nazis came.

[Louise Culmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mister Clegorn has recently sold his shop and is somewhat at a loose end. He goes to stay with his cousins at the seaside, and rescues an orphan seal pub whom he names Charlie and takes home with him. Unfortunately, the block of flats he lives in does not allow pets, and this leads to problems, as well as the most pressing problem, finding a permanent home for Charlie. This is a sweet little story, inspired by the real life story of Judith Kerr’s father who adopted a seal pup when he was young. Charmingly illustrated by the author.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Utterly charming. An instant classic. This was bought for me as a bit of a joke Christmas present as I love a seal joke, however turned out to be a complete blessing. I love Judith Kerr's work and what was even better was that this was based on a real life story. There was no real malice, just one of those 'restores your hope in the world' kinda things. A quick and happy read for an adult or confident reader and a lovely, funny and hopeful story to read at a more gentle pace with children.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judith Kerr writes sweet stories. And the illustrations match. It’s got an interesting ethic running through about doing what’s right to protect animals even if it means breaking a few rules or making some heavy sacrifices. I’m not sure which side of the line it’s helpful to land on for kids with limited discernment abilities but, hey, great conversation to have.
Still, sweet story.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could easily have been a five star book, the reason i chose four stars is you know everything that's going to happen. But the story is wonderful, everything works out in the end and a six year old hearing the story or twelve year old reading it will be in suspense.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pencil drawings are mostly beautiful (don't look at the baby!) in this improved version of a true story. I'm pretty sure if I had read the Afterword first I might not have read the book.
A really charming story with a happy ending.

[Marta · Rating 3 out of 5]

El mensaje del libro es muy bueno, pero idealizan la idea de zoo (se sorprenden de lo mal cuidados que están los animales en uno de los zoos como si no fuera eso lo habitual...) Si en vez de hablar de zoos hablara de reservas de animales, este libro sería muuuuuuuy apto para peques!

[Seema Rao · Rating 3 out of 5]

An early reader book with nice pencil drawings tells the story of a man who nurses a baby seal and buys a zoo.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A charming story about a retired man who adopts a seal and then works hard to find a forever home for him. Along the way he makes new friends and finds love. cute early elementary

[Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids · Rating 5 out of 5]

We really enjoyed this story, and the illustrations.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very vivid story! will be good for 6-7 years old

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning. The afterword is sad.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tiny book made me cry happy tears.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Brilliant story and quick to read this book.
A lovely story about a man and his rescued seal.

[Nina#Sreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sehr herzige und vertraut von Judith Kerr illustrierte Geschichte: I will always love her!

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming story. An ideal choice to be read aloud to LKS2 students.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute

[Zülâl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Herzerwärmende Geschichte, die auch Erwachsene zum Schmunzeln bringt. Beruht offenbar in Teilen auf wahren Begebenheiten 🥲

[Jan Schenkenberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

So lovely!

[Russell Horton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The name sounded familiar and after discovered it was the same author who wrote 'The Tiger Who Came To Tea', I started to read and found it quite a lovely story. Beautifully illustrated too.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure what appealed to me about this one, but I enjoyed it immensely, reading it cover to cover during a lunch break from work.

[Francesca Russolillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

sento il bisogno di avere anche io una mini foca dentro casa

[Corine Timmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this book as an adult and can imagine its popularity as a read-aloud bedtime story. A fascinating but sad true story recounted to the author when she was a little girl inspired her, many years later, to create a more cheerful version of the same story. She had wished it to have a happier ending, so she invented one. A delightful storybook for all those who love and empathise with animals and enjoy storytelling. There was a time when animals such as lions and seals were kept as pets. Today we know that usually, the best chance of survival for seal pups is to stay in the wild. The facts behind this story confirm that. Personally, I would have liked the illustrations more in colour.