Animated eBook available on Apple iBooks.
Age 3-5 | 36 pages | 230 x 230mm |
April 2021 | Paperback ISBN 9781802586787
Albert the pet tortoise has a problem: trying to reach a tasty treat, he has ended up on his shell, upside down and stuck! Can the other garden creatures overcome their rivalry, team up and help him get back on his feet? Packed with comical, charming illustrations and vibrant colour, this timeless tale shows the power of working together, thinking creatively, and how even the smallest amount of assistance can make a very big difference.
Also included are fascinating facts about real-life tortoises around the world and the author’s pet tortoise called Albert, who inspired this story – a modern-day mini-dinosaur living life on the veg!
Click here to view the Welsh edition
Ian Brown is a London-based writer and producer for television and former journalist. His TV credits include The South Bank Show, This Is Your Life, Top Gear, entertainment shows and documentaries. He has written or produced for the likes of Pierce Brosnan, Harrison Ford, Simon Cowell, George Lucas, Liam Neeson, Martin Scorsese, Jamie Oliver and Homer Simpson among many others. The Albert series are his first book titles for children.
Eoin Clarke has worked for thirty years in the animation industry as a director, animator and storyboard artist – his directorial work across films, commercials and documentaries has garnered thirty awards. Clients include the BBC, Channel 4, BFI, and Ray Harryhausen, as a storyboard artist, as well as animation for the opening titles of popular TV series with Harry Hill and Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing. The Albert series are his first illustrated books. He lives in London.
Reviews:
Short-listed for the Bishop's Stortford Picture Book Award 2022
'A great little story of coming together to help those in need & fantastically illustrated' – Joe Sugg, star of Youtube & Strictly Come Dancing
'Beautiful, heart-warming and wonderfully illustrated. I am in love with Albert!' – Julian Clary, comedian and writer and author of The Bolds series
'Sensationally illustrated, with a dilemma only teamwork can resolve, and containing acrobatic ants! What more could you want?' – Clive Mantle, star of The Vicar of Dibley, Casualty & Robin of Sherwood, author of the Freddie Malone adventures
'It’s utterly brilliant and charming and if you’re an upside down tortoise, essential reading.' – Paul Whitehouse, Gone Fishing, The Fast Show
'I like this book, I like the drawings and I like the man who wrote it. I like tortoises. What's not to like?' – Jeremy Clarkson
'Tortoises are fascinating characters. They seem quite independent as they plod their way through life. Not Albert, though - he needs help. He finds it through all the friends he never knew he had. Ian Brown tells us Albert's heart-warming story, and makes us laugh along the way. Eoin Clarke's illustrations are stunning. What a lovely book. What will Albert get up to next? I can't wait.' – Michael Aspel, TV presenter (Antiques Roadshow, This Is Your Life, Aspel & Co, Crackerjack, Ask Aspel)
'What a treat for our youngest book-lovers – and for grown-ups who will guide them through it. Stunning illustrations and well-chosen words tell the story of Albert the tortoise getting back on his feet after a fall, helped by a somewhat disorganised band of garden creatures. There’s lots here to delight young children (even a toilet joke!) plus intriguing facts about tortoises. More of Albert please.' – John Craven OBE, Countryfile, Newsround
'Funny, inventive and stunningly illustrated, this topsy-turvy tale is a delight. I was rooting for Albert from page one.' – Philip Ardagh, author, winner Roald Dahl Funny Prize
'What a lovely feel good story. All the creatures working together to help Albert . Great message for children and getting them to learn about tortoises. Fabulous Illustrations. I loved it and it made me smile.' – Vicki Michelle MBE, actress ‘Allo ‘Allo, “I’m A Celebrity”, radio presenter, charity ambassador.
'Really lovely, my 8 year old loved it. An important message on the power of community and friendship' Honest Mum
'New favourite book' Lydia Bright
'Albert Upside Down is a funny story about a domestic tortoise who finds himself in a tricky position.' The Big Issue North
'Packed with comical, charming illustrations and vibrant colour, this timeless tale shows the power of working together, thinking creatively, and how even the smallest amount of assistance can make a very big difference.' My Baba
'This delightful story emphasises the importance of teamwork and not underestimating, judging or excluding others based on their appearance or perceived differences. It proves that everyone has a contribution to make to their community.' Picture Book Snob
'This is a charming modernisation of the traditional 'if we all help, we can achieve anything' story. You readers will also enjoy learning about the hidden life of the garden (and that tortoises can suffer from flatulence' Jaki Brien, UK Schools Library Association