Cover Image: Extraordinary Albert

Extraordinary Albert

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This is a very sweet book about a monkey who has really large feet and is self-conscious about it. He learns that his friends still love him and that being different can come in handy! The pictures in this book are beautiful, and the words are simple and very sweet. I would definitely give someone this book for their child or buy it for my own children. I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This heartfelt story stars a sweet little gorilla named Albert. He is the apple of his parent's eye and he is born different than other baby gorillas. Little Albert has BIG feet! Whenever he complains to his parents about how awkward and unsightly they are his folks assure him that he is perfect and others would love to be just like him.

As Albert ages his feet become a detriment over and over again and he hates them. He trips over them, custom-made cleats take up too much room in his closet and the one-size-fits-all socks don't include him. Oh my!

One day Albert and his best friend Rex are playing hide and seek and leap frog in the woods and then they decide to head off to the park. Suddenly a huge rain storm is upon them and they feel very scared. After the rain subsides the boys agree that they had both better head back home ... but... discover they don't know which direction to go in. Could Albert's large feet solve their problem and lead them back to safety?

Finally, Albert learns to love his feet and the special qualities that they provide for him. The artwork is expressive and colourful making the text come alive. It is a book that encourages kids to embrace their very own uniquenesses. I highly recommend it.

Was this review helpful?

Extraodrinary Albert - by Bonnie Gruman is a lovely picture book about Albert who accepts being different, and through friendship, is able to see the benefit of his unique characteristic.

Was this review helpful?

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is very sweet with adorable illustrations. Albert's big feet was a source of embarrassment all along until his big foot helped him and his friend out of trouble.

Was this review helpful?

A beautifully illustrated book about being happy with who you are and how we are all unique. All young readers will enjoy exploring life with Albert and his extraordinarily perfect feet.

Was this review helpful?

This story is encouraging especially for children who may feel that they are different from others, particularly in ways that is alienating. The main character is helped to see the usefulness of his unique condition. I found that a large portion of the story was devoted to setting the stage and explaining the reason for why Albert feels as he does but the climax and especially the denouement were short and could have easily be expanded.

Was this review helpful?

Extraordinary Albert is an intriguing take on how children deal with body image issues. Albert's feet are difficult for him to grow accustom to because of their size. Everyone tells him it's fine but he hates them. It takes the kindess of a friend to help him accept they are extraordinary. It doesn't really reflect what we traditionally see in real life but one can hope that more stories like this can encourage people to be kinder.

Was this review helpful?

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. Albert is a little bit different than the rest of his friends and sometimes that is hard.

Was this review helpful?

Extraordinary Albert by Bonnie Grubman is a very cute children's book. Albert is a gorilla born with huge feet. Albert hates his feet, but learns how his big feet are a good thing. I really enjoyed this cute story with a good message for children. Extraordinary Albert shows children how to embrace their differences.

I loved the illustrations. Gorillas are my favorite animal so I love that Albert is a gorilla.

Thank you NetGalley and Clavis Publishing for Extraordinary Albert.

Was this review helpful?

A beautiful tale of acceptance and friendship. Of loving yourself. Albert doesnt like how big his feet are, but his parents and best friend, Rex dont agree. They thinks hes extraordinary and that in itself was wonderful. Kids will absolutely love this one.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely adored this book! It was such a sweet story on learning to love yourself just the way you are. The illustrations were beautiful and it kept my daughter in awe the whole way through.

Was this review helpful?

What a delightful picture book! The illustrations are beautiful and the soft, muted colors and lines make it very soothing. The story is one that many children (and adults) will relate to. It’s a valuable resource for children who need a little help appreciating what makes them different.

Was this review helpful?

This is a cute book about fitting in and feeling different. The illustrations are super pretty and it’s a great children’s book.

Was this review helpful?

Myself and my 4 year old son really enjoyed Extraordinary Albert.

It was beautifully illustrated and told the story of Albert who had to learn to love himself even though he was different.
The story was the perfect length to keep my son engaged with the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Clavis Publishing for my ARC.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this book. It was a sweet story about learning to love who you are even when you are different. I really liked that Albert's family and friend encouraged Albert to see himself the way they did, perfectly and beautifully made.

Was this review helpful?

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Extraordinary Albert is a beautifully illustrated children's book about learning to loveyourself as you are and embracing things that make you different and 'you'.

Albert hates his feet as they get in his way and trip him up a lot when he is playing but his parents and best friend Rex love his feet. One day Rex and Albert go out into the jungle and are lost, they use Albert's giant footprints as a way to find their way home again. After this Albert begins to see his feet are very useful and starts to accept them.

I enjoyed this book but do feel there wasn't enough of a story especially with Rex and Albert. I feel it may fall a little flat for the children its aimed at and could do with more adding to the friendship part to bring it all together and have more meaning.

Was this review helpful?

Extraordinary Albert is an illustrated children's book by Bonnie Grumman that shows children no matter what insecurities they have, they are still beautiful and loved.
What may be an insecurity for one person, is viewed as extraordinary by another.
What's even more amazing is the story of friendship interwoven in this because this scenario is always prevalent in friend circles.
Overall, a unique and good read for children to teach them that everyone is born different, but it doesn't mean they can't be loved.

Was this review helpful?

Beautifully illustrated book that tells the story of Albert, a gorilla with unusually large feet. Although he resents being different from others, he learns that sometimes our differences can be used for good and make us extraordinary!
Very cute book to help teach children to appreciate the differences of others rather than bully or fear them.

Was this review helpful?

A cute and simply picture book perfect for classroom readvalouds. Albert is a young gorilla who finds himself hating his enormous feet. But when a crisis arises, Albert's feet save the day and he finds that they're just extraordinary after all.

Was this review helpful?

This is a really sweet tale of love and friendship, but with others and with yourself. The artwork is gorgeous. I would like to have seen a little more development of the relationship between Rex and Albert. It would have made their strength of friendship more relatable.

Was this review helpful?