Hey, Al
Sale price
$958
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1986 · Est. 4 min read-aloud

Hey, Al

Written by Arthur Yorinks · Illustrated by Richard Egielski

A janitor and his dog find paradise isn't what it seems.

4.0/7 Bookroo expert·3.9/5 Goodreads · 6,374 ratings
32 pages· 504 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud· 520L· AR 2.1 · 0.5 AR pts
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Bookroo's summary

Al, a janitor, and his dog, Eddie, escape their cramped life when a mysterious bird offers them paradise. On a stunning island in the sky, they enjoy luxury but soon discover the dark side of their new world. Can they escape this deceptive utopia and find true happiness back home?

From the publisher

Al, a janitor, and his faithful dog, Eddie, live in a single room on the West Side. They eat together, they work together, they do everything together. So what’s the problem? Thier room is crowded and cramped; their life is an endless struggle. Al and Eddie are practically at eachothers throats when a large and mysterious bird offers them a new life in paradise. After some debate, they decide to accept. Transported to a gorgeous island in the sky, Al and Eddie are soon living a life of ease and luxury. But they come to find that the grass can be a little too green on the other side. After a dramatic, nearly tragic escape from their paradise prison, both man and dog agree: there really is no place like home. Hey, Al is the winner of the 1987 Caldecott Medal.

At a glance
Format
Paperback
Pages
32
Words
504
Reading age
4–8
Audience
Picture
Lexile
520L
AR book level
2.1
AR points
0.5
AR quiz
11174
What readers & critics say

Reviews

4.0

out of 7

4.0

“This story has a great overall message of appreciating the good in your life. Even when things are hard, there's always something to be grateful for, and things could be worse. If found the story itself pretty interesting--not my favorite book.”

B is for Bookworm

Trusted reviewer

The author

More from Arthur Yorinks

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Mommy?

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The illustrator

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The fine print

Book details

Reading levels
F&P level
~N
AR interest level
LG
Publication
Published
May 28, 1989
First published
November 1, 1986
Publisher
Square Fish
Edition
Language
English
Type
Picture Book
Identifiers
ISBN
9780374429850

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