What’s the Matter with Albert? A Story of Albert Einstein. Frieda Wishinsky. Illustrated by Jacques Lamontagne. Toronto, ON: Maple Tree Press, 2002. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $6.95 (pbk.), $19.99(cl). ISBN 1-894379-32-2 (pbk.), ISBN 1-894379-31-4 (cl.). Subject Headings: Einstein, Albert, 1879-1955-Juvenile literature. Physicists-Biography-Juvenile literature. Grades 2-5 / Ages 7-10. Review by Christina Neigel. ***1/2 /4

excerpt:

Dr. Einstein sat back in his chair, stretching his legs out in front of him. “So tell me, Billy Whitestone, have I told you enough about me? Do you have any other questions?” Albert Einstein smiled again with those twinkly eyes of his. Did I dare ask him anything else? I knew what Jane would say: “Go ahead, Billy. Ask! This may be your only chance.” So I did.

In 1955, Billy Whitestone is asked by the editor of his school paper to write an article on Albert Einstein. The catch is that Billy is expected to also interview the man himself. Billy overcomes his nervousness and visits the home of Einstein. Einstein willingly recounts his childhood and offers Billy a peek into the spirit of a living legend.

     Getting inside the "mind" of a man so well respected for his ingeniousness is no simple task. Yet, Wishinsky does a very good job of capturing, as she describes it, the "personality and spirit in mind" that makes Einstein such a fascinating character. There is little doubt that creating a believable interview between Billy and Einstein would be challenging, but Wishinsky meets the challenge in an excellent fashion. The dialogue is believable both in style and in content. Einstein comes across as a quirky individual who, despite being poorly understood, was able to cultivate and share his own views about the world.

     Some critics have described Jacques Lamontagne's illustrations as very "Norman Rockwell" in style. Indeed, the warm, richly coloured illustrations certainly remind one of Rockwell. Lamontagne's characters are realistic without the photo-realism common in modern art.

     To complete the informational aspect of this work, the book begins with a comment about Einstein and ends with a two page chronology of his life. What’s the Matter with Albert? would be valuable to any child interested in knowing more about Einstein "the genius" and Einstein "the person." Easy to read and easy to digest, this book is recommended for all collections.

Highly Recommended.

Christina Neigel is an instructor for the Library Technician and Information Technology program at the University College of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford BC.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

Hosted by the University of Manitoba.

NEXT REVIEW |TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - October 3, 2003.

AUTHORS | TITLES | MEDIA REVIEWS | PROFILES | BACK ISSUES | SEARCH | CMARCHIVE | HOME