Albert Talbot: Master of Disguise

Description

A fun and playful story celebrating the joys of make-believe play and the freedom to be whoever you want, from the author of The Misadventures of Frederick, Ben Manley, and Daddy Long Legs illustrator Aurelie Guillerey. Not keen on swimming lessons? Now you are Zandrian Delaclair, Antarctic Submariner - destroyer of the abominable Vampire Cuttlefish! Albert goes through his day from getting up, to going to school and finally to bed, facing various challenges. But by imagining himself as powerful heroes he is able to wear each persona and feel brave in adversity, dangerous when powerless, transgressive when bound by the rules. Taking on exciting identities from: Rusti Buffels, Fearless Mountaineer, to Professor Octavius Pickleswick, Mechanical Engineer, Albert comes to find that although pretending to be someone else can be fun and exciting, it's also just as wonderful being yourself.

Aurelie Guillerey shared her time growing up in France between school and a conservatoire where she learnt to play the piano. She went on to study Illustration at the renowned L'Ecole Superieur des Arts Decoratifs in Strasbourg, graduating in 1999. She now lives in Rennes, France. Ben Manley is a writer and designer. His writing is full of humour and heart with a touch of the gothic - as weird and wonderful as an attic full of vampire hamsters. He also works as a digital copywriter and web designer. Ben lives in Norwich with his wife and two children.

Just the book if you like silly names. Lively pictures offer funny ideas and interesting detail. -- Nicolette Jones * The Sunday Times * Ben Manley's text is original and brilliantly full of outlandish names and imaginings, and Guillerey's illustration presents marvellous spreads full of humorous detail and verve. -- Anna McKerrow * BookTrust * adorable...Each splendidly grandiose secret identity is brought to life by entrancing colourful illustrations. * Guardian * Albert Talbot: Master of Disguise is a book that children will surely adore and maybe even inspire their own make-believe play. I love how it encourages children to tap into their creativity and imagination. But ultimately, this book shows us that being ourselves is wonderful too. -- Picture Book Perfect Enjoy a brilliantly conceived picture book story of imagination and adventure from Ben Manley, acclaimed author of The Misadventures of Frederick, and super-talented French illustrator Aurelie Guillerey... Guillerey brings all Albert's perilous missions to life with her gallery of bold and colourful illustrations, perfectly matched to a funny, reflective story full of the inspirational joys of being whoever you want to be... and the comfort of sometimes just being you! -- Pam Norfolk * Lancashire Evening Post * This is a fun book to read aloud, and the lively illustrations and bold use of color are all a joy. Full marks to all concerned for addressing diversity issues in the inclusion of different ethnicities and for the simple but effective decision to represent a black child having a white mother. It's a simple thing, but, importantly, it is inclusive and reflects children's lives and their place in society. Two Hoots are building a strong list with some talented writers and illustrators coming through * School Librarian *