Albert in the Air

A Fun Story with Substance

The narrated and animated “Albert in the Air” is a fun story all on its own as well as being Book #4 in the ALBERT the Tortoise children’s picture book series.  This time, Albert does what many real-world tortoises have done before him.  He inadvertently escapes from his garden by tunneling under the fence in search of cooler ground.  Once out, poor Albert has to face the dangers of the big city while his garden friends do all they can to get him safely home again.  Eoin Clarke’s artwork seems to become more intricate with each book.  There’s just so much to see going on behind the scenes of each animated page.  Ian Brown, the author of the series, also does the narration.  He has a voice that would do any documentary proud while at the same time giving characters in the story each a personality and a voice uniquely their own.  I have no doubt that “Albert in the Air” will be another much-loved classroom favorite what with its compelling story and its many lessons on friendship, helping and working together -- not to mention the importance of properly escape-proofing the yard where any pet tortoise lives.