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- Who is Albert le Blanc? -
Albert le Blanc is a huge French polar bear in Mr Jolly's Toy Shop. He has sad looking eyes and even looks sad from behind with his hunched up shoulders!
- The Story -
Albert is seen by the other toys in Mr Jolly's toy shop and instantly becomes the ... Read review
An uplitfting story about a bear without a smile A very sad-looking French bear has ... more
arrived in the toy shop. His name is Albert le Blanc. The other toys plan a special show to cheer him up. Albert keeps trying to tell the toys he's not sad -- he just ...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Albert Le Blanc is a large, fluffy, white, toy polar bear who appears one day in the ... more
window of Mr Jolly's toy shop. He immediately becomes the focus of the other toys' curiosity--because he's the most sad and dejected-looking creature they've ever seen. They decide that Albert has lost his smile and resolve to cheer him up by putting on a show. The toys scramble to work on their party pieces--from Pickle the mouse's disastrous joke-telling to Sally the ballet-loving hippopotamus' funny dance routine (although she thinks it's "beautiful and artistic" and few of the toys would dare to disagree). Poor Albert is subjected to the show, despite his attempts to protest that he isn't really miserable, it's just the way his face has been made. But it's Sally's dancing finale that has an unexpected outcome for everyone, especially Albert. Well-loved children's illustrator Nick Butterworth has created a heart-warming story with sparky dialogue and some memorable characters, especially Albert, a study in Gallic nonchalance. Much of the fun lies in spotting the familiar characters that appear as toys in the shop, including Jane Hissey's Old Bear, Martin Handford's Wally and Butterworth's own Percy the Park Keeper. You may or may not also spot the Trumpton fire brigade... depending on your age! Suitable for ages four to seven years. --Alison Drury
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Albert Le Blancis a large, fluffy, white, toy polar bear who appears one day in the window ... more
of Mr Jolly's toy shop. He immediately becomes the focus of the other toys' curiosity--because he's the most sad and dejected-looking creature they've ever seen. They decide that Albert has lost his smile and resolve to cheer him up by putting on a show. The toys scramble to work on their party pieces--from Pickle the mouse's disastrous joke-telling to Sally the ballet-loving hippopotamus' funny dance routine (although she thinks it's "beautiful and artistic" and few of the toys would dare to disagree).Poor Albert is subjected to the show, despite his attempts to protest that he isn'treallymiserable, it's just the way his face has been made. But it's Sally's dancing finale that has an unexpected outcome for everyone, especially Albert.Well-loved children's illustrator Nick Butterworth has created a heart-warming story with sparky dialogue and some memorable characters, especially Albert, a study in Gallic nonchalance. Much of the fun lies in spotting the familiar characters that appear as toys in the shop, including Jane Hissey'sOld Bear, Martin Handford'sWallyand Butterworth's ownPercy the Park Keeper. You may or may not also spot the Trumpton fire brigade... depending on your age! Suitable for ages four to seven years. --Alison Drury
Postage & Packaging:£2.75 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Albert Le Blancis a large, fluffy, white, toy polar bear who appears one day in the window ... more
of Mr Jolly's toy shop. He immediately becomes the focus of the other toys' curiosity--because he's the most sad and dejected-looking creature they've ever seen. They decide that Albert has lost his smile and resolve to cheer him up by putting on a show. The toys scramble to work on their party pieces--from Pickle the mouse's disastrous joke-telling to Sally the ballet-loving hippopotamus' funny dance routine (although she thinks it's "beautiful and artistic" and few of the toys would dare to disagree).Poor Albert is subjected to the show, despite his attempts to protest that he isn'treallymiserable, it's just the way his face has been made. But it's Sally's dancing finale that has an unexpected outcome for everyone, especially Albert.Well-loved children's illustrator Nick Butterworth has created a heart-warming story with sparky dialogue and some memorable characters, especially Albert, a study in Gallic nonchalance. Much of the fun lies in spotting the familiar characters that appear as toys in the shop, including Jane Hissey'sOld Bear, Martin Handford'sWallyand Butterworth's ownPercy the Park Keeper. You may or may not also spot the Trumpton fire brigade... depending on your age! Suitable for ages four to seven years. --Alison Drury
Postage & Packaging:£2.75 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Albert Le Blancis a large, fluffy, white, toy polar bear who appears one day in the window ... more
of Mr Jolly's toy shop. He immediately becomes the focus of the other toys' curiosity--because he's the most sad and dejected-looking creature they've ever seen. They decide that Albert has lost his smile and resolve to cheer him up by putting on a show. The toys scramble to work on their party pieces--from Pickle the mouse's disastrous joke-telling to Sally the ballet-loving hippopotamus' funny dance routine (although she thinks it's "beautiful and artistic" and few of the toys would dare to disagree).Poor Albert is subjected to the show, despite his attempts to protest that he isn'treallymiserable, it's just the way his face has been made. But it's Sally's dancing finale that has an unexpected outcome for everyone, especially Albert.Well-loved children's illustrator Nick Butterworth has created a heart-warming story with sparky dialogue and some memorable characters, especially Albert, a study in Gallic nonchalance. Much of the fun lies in spotting the familiar characters that appear as toys in the shop, including Jane Hissey'sOld Bear, Martin Handford'sWallyand Butterworth's ownPercy the Park Keeper. You may or may not also spot the Trumpton fire brigade... depending on your age! Suitable for ages four to seven years. --Alison Drury
Postage & Packaging:£2.75 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: A lovely story about others trying to make someone smile! Disadvantages: None
...
- Who is Albert le Blanc? -
Albert le Blanc is a huge French polar bear in Mr Jolly's Toy Shop. He has sad looking eyes and even looks sad from behind with his hunched up shoulders!
- The Story -
Albert is seen by the other toys in Mr Jolly's toy shop and instantly becomes the object of their curiosity. They don't like the fact that he looks so sad and make a determined effort to cheer him up. ...with the effort to make Albert happy, e.g. Jack-in-a-box, Pickle the mouse, Sally the ballerina hippo. Albert tries a couple of times to assure the other toys that he isn't unhappy or sad, it's just the way he looks but his protests fall on deaf ears.
The toys decide to put on a show for Albert le Blanc which really isn't that good as things tend to go wrong.
Finally a not-so-elegant hippo ballerina, a.k.a Sally slips and slides ... more
I only happened upon this book in December despite it having been around since 2002.
- Nick Butterworth -
I know of the author due to his Percy the Park Keeper books which are a firm favourite with many children who have passed through my classrooms over the years!
Nick Butterworth had planned to go to art college after leaving school but instead got a job as a typographic designer in the printing dept of the National Children 's Home.
He then worked as a freelance graphic designer and then went on to writing and illustrating his own children's books with huge success.
- Who is Albert le Blanc? -
Albert le Blanc is a huge French polar bear in Mr Jolly's Toy Shop. He has sad looking eyes and even looks sad from behind with his hunched up shoulders!
- The Story -
Albert is seen by the other toys in Mr Jolly's toy shop and instantly becomes the object of their curiosity. They don't like the fact that he looks so sad and make a determined effort to cheer him up.
An array of toy shop characters join in with the effort to make Albert happy, e.g. Jack-in-a-box, Pickle the mouse, Sally the ballerina hippo. Albert tries a couple of times to assure the other toys that he isn't unhappy or sad, it's just the way he looks but his protests fall on deaf ears.
The toys decide to put on a show for Albert le Blanc which really isn't that good as things tend to go wrong. Finally a not-so-elegant hippo ballerina, a.k.a Sally slips and slides and lands on top of Albert.
Frustrated by their attempts Albert roars " PLEASE, I keep trying to tell you! I AM NOT UN-HAPPY!"
Albert explains that he just has a sad look on his face but doesn't feel sad. As you turn the page, you can see why Toby the cat announces that Albert doesn't look sad anymore.
Albert has Sally's lipsticked smiley mouth on his mouth, obviously during the fall she ended up by accidentally plastering him with her smackers!!
This made all of the toys giggle, including Albert who had the 'biggest, deepest, loudest and funniest laugh of all!'
~ Format and illustrations ~The illustrations are fantastic, very detailed with lots of toys to look at on the shelves. Children particularly enjoy spotting some of the characters from other popular books which make guest appearances:
Kipper
Noddy
Elmer
The Snowman
Paddington and lots more!
There is a good mixture of text and illustrations, however the text is quite lengthy and appeals more to 4 years and upwards unless you have a litttle one who totally absorbs books etc..~ Price ~
My paperback, ISBN: 0-00-776983-0 was £5.99, it is however a larger style book. Amazon are selling sed and new copies from 29p so a huge bargain even with P&P taken in to consideration.
~ My verdict ~
This is a lovely story about others trying to cheer someone up. Children love the magical element of this book, in that toys come alive when the shop is closed. Not my all-time favourite book but certainly a lovely story with great illustrations and lots for children to learn and look out for!
Advantages: Funny, gorgeous illustrations Disadvantages: None at all!
...Amanda's Butterfly
***So what's Albert Le Blanc all about***
Albert Le Blanc is a new arrival to the toy store and all the other toys watch him curiously as he sits in the shop window looking miserable. In an attempt to make Albert feel welcome and happy, and to wipe the (stitched on) frown off his face, they decide to put together a show with each toy performing a different act.
The toys don't listen to Albert as he tries to explain that he isn't ... ...Looking more closely they noticed Albert now sported a bright red lipstick smile across his face from where Sally had accidentally kissed him when she fell.All of them fall over in hysterics and no one laughs louder than the big white bear Albert.
***What do you think of the story***
Nick Butterworth is as talented at writing an endearing story as he is illustrating his work. What a lovely basis for a story - One group of toys wanting to do something ...
ally2kc 10.08.2006
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Advantages: A lovable park keeper, Percy and lots of wildlife. Disadvantages: None
This is another great children's book in Nick Butterworth's series centred around Percy the chubby, rosy-cheeked park keeper.
* Percy's bumpy ride
* One snowy night
* The cross rabbit
He has also written other books:
* The whisperer
* AlbertleBlanc
* Q Pootle 5 in space
In my last review of one of Nick Butterworth's books one reader asked me not to give too much away so I will try very hard not to but huge apologies if I do!!
~ After the Storm ~
A storm is raging outside and Percy, the park keeper is having a sleepless night.
When he gets up the following morning he finds that the old oak tree has been blown down.
This makes Percy very sad but it's a HUGE disaster for his animal friends who live in the park as the oak tree was their home.
The ever faithful Percy (wish I had met a Percy!) sets out to help ...
This is an uplitfting story about a bear without a smile. It is brought to life on CD with a fantastic reading and lively music and sound effects. When Albert le Blanc arrives in Mr Jolly's toy shop, the other toys think he's the saddest-looking bear they have ever seen. They decide to put on a show to cheer him up. Albert tries to tell them he's not sad, he just looks sad, but they are all too busy making preparations! As a finale, Sally the hippo puts on a lipstick and performs ballet, but she falls on top of Albert and leaves a huge lipstick grin on his face. Everyone laughs!especially Albert! This is an uplifting story from the creator of the best-selling "Percy the Park Keeper" series.
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