CM Magazine: Albert Goes to Town

________________ CM . . . . Volume V Number 9 . . . . January 1, 1999

Albert Goes to Town

Jennifer Jordan. Illustrated by Shannon McNeill.
San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books (Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books), 1997.
24 pp., cloth, $19.95.
ISBN 0-8118-0860-2.

Subject Headings:
Automobiles-Fiction.
Neighborliness-Fiction.
Magic-Fiction.

Preschool - grade 1 / Ages 2 - 6.
Review by Luella Sumner.

**** /4

excerpt:

Mr. Appleby lived in a tiny yellow house with a huge overgrown garden. In back, his old work shed was filled with tools, and scraps of wood waiting to be turned into something wonderful. A birdhouse. A windowbox. Toys. Mr. Appleby loved to make toys.
One day, Albert tapped on the window of the shed. Mr. Appleby opened the door. "How's Albert today?" he said. "All right," Albert sighed. "Thank you for the town you made for my cars." Mr. Appleby smiled. "You are very welcome, my friend," he said. "Just see that you enjoy it!"
"Oh I do! I drive my cars around and around. I think it would be a wonderful place to visit." Albert paused. "I wish that I could drive there myself, " he whispered,"that's what I truly wish."

Albert is a little boy who loves cars. He has lots of toy cars and races them around his house and around the toy village that his friend, Mr. Appleby, made for him. After Albert has been ill with a cold for a few days, Mr. Appleby makes him a red car big enough to ride in. When Albert jumps in and presses on the gas pedal, the car lurches into motion and carries him at breakneck speed around a village that looks suspiciously like his toy one. Albert is amazed and thrilled as he speeds along, eventually arriving right back in Mr. Appleby's yard! His mother calls him home, and the wonderful car stops and will not start again. Albert is full of wonder and questions as he leaves the car and returns home with his mother. The reader is left to wonder, too. Did Albert get his wish and really drive that car, or did he imagine it?

Jennifer Jordan has written an exciting story that will interest any child who loves cars and who loves to have some parts of the story left to the imagination. Very young children, though, may be confused by the mysterious ride. Shannon McNeill's lively and attractive illustrations add interest and enjoyment to the story.

Highly recommended.

Luella Sumner is Head Librarian, Red Rock Public Library, Red Rock, Ontario.

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

Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - JANAURY 1, 1999.