What do you think?
Rate this book
Albert's Tree
Waa! Waa! Waa! Albert's favourite tree won't stop crying. What can be the matter? How can the bear cheer up his old friend? A funny and charming picture book about making friends in the most unexpected places from the award-winning Jenni Desmond.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2016
1 person is currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Jenni Desmond
28 books59 followersJenni Desmond graduated from a Masters Degree in Children's Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art (UK) with distinction and her debut book won the Cambridgeshire Read it Again! Award in 2012. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages since, and in 2015 Desmond was named Best Emerging Talent (Illustrator) at the Junior Design Awards (UK). In 2016 she was made a Maurice Sendak Fellow and her book 'The Polar Bear' became a 'New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book' of the year.
Her work is admired for its narrative and visual depth, being at once complex and simple. Jenni Desmond lives in East London UK. When she's not in her studio, you'll find her cooking, cycling and looking for adventure.
Her work is admired for its narrative and visual depth, being at once complex and simple. Jenni Desmond lives in East London UK. When she's not in her studio, you'll find her cooking, cycling and looking for adventure.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
April 7, 2019
When Albert wakes from his long winter hibernation, he is eager to greet his favorite tree, and enjoy the springtime under its branches. Unfortunately, the bear begins to hear a wailing coming from the tree, and isn't able to figure out what is causing it. Aided by Rabbit and Caribou, he attempts to find a solution, all to no avail. It is only when he climbs up into the tree that he discovers the nature of the problem - - and how to fix it...
The third picture-book I have read from British author/artist Jenni Desmond, and the second that she both wrote and illustrated, Albert's Tree is a sweet, warmhearted tale of a bear, the tree he loves, and the surprise discovery he makes - a surprise discovery that brings him another friend. The artwork is quite expressive, capturing Albert's changing moods, as well as the droll humor of his interactions with Rabbit and Caribou. Recommended to anyone looking for entertaining new picture-books in general, or for children's stories about spring and/or friendship and first impressions in particular.
The third picture-book I have read from British author/artist Jenni Desmond, and the second that she both wrote and illustrated, Albert's Tree is a sweet, warmhearted tale of a bear, the tree he loves, and the surprise discovery he makes - a surprise discovery that brings him another friend. The artwork is quite expressive, capturing Albert's changing moods, as well as the droll humor of his interactions with Rabbit and Caribou. Recommended to anyone looking for entertaining new picture-books in general, or for children's stories about spring and/or friendship and first impressions in particular.
May 16, 2018
vute but not overbearing. overBEARing, get it??? yuk yuk yuk
Read
December 9, 2018A bear who likes climbing trees gets confused by emotions. I feel personally attacked by this relatable content.
May 1, 2018
Why were all the other animals named after what kind of animal they were except Albert? Or is an albert bear a type of bear I'm not familiar with? Like, a dorkier version of a brown brown? A brown bear that other brown bears push in the mud and call names?
I now relate to all albert bears.
I now relate to all albert bears.
August 3, 2022
4,5 sterren - Nederlandse hardcover
Alberts lievelingsboom huilt verschrikkelijk. Hij houdt maar niet op. Wat is er aan de hand? Hoe kan Alberts zijn vriend opvrolijken?
"OMA, BOOM VERDRIET" Ja, Zhyvaya de boom heeft verdriet." " ACH, IKKE KUSJE GEVEN?" " Dat is lief schat, graag."
Gelukkig lost het probleem zich op in dit leuke prentenboek.
Alberts lievelingsboom huilt verschrikkelijk. Hij houdt maar niet op. Wat is er aan de hand? Hoe kan Alberts zijn vriend opvrolijken?
"OMA, BOOM VERDRIET" Ja, Zhyvaya de boom heeft verdriet." " ACH, IKKE KUSJE GEVEN?" " Dat is lief schat, graag."
Gelukkig lost het probleem zich op in dit leuke prentenboek.
May 17, 2021
The wholesome level is very high, love it
October 7, 2022
Grappig! Schattig, behulpzaam, lief. En leuk getekend.
March 27, 2018
Such a fun story about helping and friendship, love the animals expressions.
May 10, 2018
Charming. Preschoolers will find it SO funny.
May 22, 2019
Cute, fairly quick story about a bear who has a favorite tree, in which he loves to spend time. The first time he climbs the tree one spring however, the tree begins to cry. Albert and a few friends try various ways to cheer the tree up, but they don't work. After the two friends leave, Albert climbs back up into the tree, gives it a big bear hug, and asks what is the matter. The tree answers! It is afraid of a big hairy monster! Albert says he will chase the monster away, but there is no one around. Albert reassured the tree there is no monster, and a small owl emerges from the truck. Turns out the tree wasn't crying, it was the little owl, and the monster was Albert. The two quickly resolve this, and spend their time together, playing in their favorite tree.
This would be cute for story time, with a theme of friendship, trees, outside, bears, or even problem-solving. The illustrations are simple with white background, filling, but not taking over the pages, while the text moves around the white space in a non-confusing manner. The font seems special to this book, not a boring Times or Arial.
This would be cute for story time, with a theme of friendship, trees, outside, bears, or even problem-solving. The illustrations are simple with white background, filling, but not taking over the pages, while the text moves around the white space in a non-confusing manner. The font seems special to this book, not a boring Times or Arial.
October 12, 2023
I would never have imagined this. But this excellent story is about problem solving done by Albert -- a BEAR -- to help a close friend, his favorite TREE.
Surprisingly or not, the plot unfolds very belivably. That tree is so very unhappy.
Eventually Albert uses communicationto find out what's bothering the tree so much. Soon after, the problem is solved.
FIVE STARS for Jenni Desmond for a memorable story about talking to friends in order to solve problems. Not doing anything fancier than human-type talking.
Of course, Goodreaders, you and I know that only humans can do human-type talking, neither bears nor owls nor trees. But with the expanded imagination of picture book readers, sometimes it's easier for them to learn life lessons from characters who don't look like their parents.
Surprisingly or not, the plot unfolds very belivably. That tree is so very unhappy.
Eventually Albert uses communicationto find out what's bothering the tree so much. Soon after, the problem is solved.
FIVE STARS for Jenni Desmond for a memorable story about talking to friends in order to solve problems. Not doing anything fancier than human-type talking.
Of course, Goodreaders, you and I know that only humans can do human-type talking, neither bears nor owls nor trees. But with the expanded imagination of picture book readers, sometimes it's easier for them to learn life lessons from characters who don't look like their parents.
April 25, 2018
Desmond, Jenni Albert’s Tree, illustrated by Jenni Desmond. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2016. $16. 9780763696887.
Each Spring, Albert, the bear awoke and raced to his favorite tree he called his own. One spring, the tree started crying. Albert enlisted forest friends to help so the tree would stop crying. After a few failed attempts, bear decides to give his tree a hug. What happens next is a pleasant surprise for Albert.
This is a sweet story of a bear and his friends. It teaches the value of sharing what we love with others. The simple illustrations show bear’s cute expressions clearly.
EL - ADVISABLE. MOMMAC
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
Each Spring, Albert, the bear awoke and raced to his favorite tree he called his own. One spring, the tree started crying. Albert enlisted forest friends to help so the tree would stop crying. After a few failed attempts, bear decides to give his tree a hug. What happens next is a pleasant surprise for Albert.
This is a sweet story of a bear and his friends. It teaches the value of sharing what we love with others. The simple illustrations show bear’s cute expressions clearly.
EL - ADVISABLE. MOMMAC
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
May 2, 2018
Albert's tree is terribly upset. But how does one cheer up a tree? Albert tries all the wrong ways before finally realizing the obvious: his tree is not in fact upset. It's another animal. Inside the tree.
Albert's interaction with his tree is a Hot Mess. I know it. The other animals that try to help Albert know it. Albert comes to realize it. I just had to shake my head that Albert did not once think it was not his tree making all that scared wailing but an animal in the tree. Poor dear. Just wanted to cheer up his tree. The story ends on a happy note, though, with all misunderstandings cleared up in the end.
Albert's interaction with his tree is a Hot Mess. I know it. The other animals that try to help Albert know it. Albert comes to realize it. I just had to shake my head that Albert did not once think it was not his tree making all that scared wailing but an animal in the tree. Poor dear. Just wanted to cheer up his tree. The story ends on a happy note, though, with all misunderstandings cleared up in the end.
November 9, 2018
Albert the bear is happy to be reunited with his favorite tree when spring arrives, but when it starts crying, he doesn't know what to do! Albert's friends have suggestions for cheering it up, but nothing seems to help, in fact, the tree's wailing grows louder. At his wit's end, Albert asks the tree why it is crying and, very much to his surprise, it responds that it is scared of the big hairy monster. Of course the monster ends up being Albert, and the tree, well, that as somebody else, too! Once all of the misunderstandings are sorted out Albert and a new friend can enjoy their tree together. Cute animal illustrations abound!
April 18, 2022
This is a perfect picture book, except for three flaws:
1. It has encouraged children to cry “waaaaaa” dramatically in imitation of the tree, which is half adorable and half annoying.
2. There’s a scene when the animals dig up dirt and it would be adorable as well except the illustrations make it look impossibly grotesque. I’m not joking. I almost left this at the library because of the degree to which the dirt looks like blood. Thankfully kids don’t notice, but it catches me off guard every time.
3. The writing style could be *slightly* more interesting.
This is still a favorite of mine.
1. It has encouraged children to cry “waaaaaa” dramatically in imitation of the tree, which is half adorable and half annoying.
2. There’s a scene when the animals dig up dirt and it would be adorable as well except the illustrations make it look impossibly grotesque. I’m not joking. I almost left this at the library because of the degree to which the dirt looks like blood. Thankfully kids don’t notice, but it catches me off guard every time.
3. The writing style could be *slightly* more interesting.
This is still a favorite of mine.
November 7, 2018
Albert wakes up from hibernating and heads straight for his favorite tree. He's happy to stretch out on his favorite branch and enjoy the day. He hears crying and thinks the tree is sad. He and his forest friends try anything they know to cheer up the tree. The friends give up and head away.
Albert discovers the tree is not crying - a little owl is. He's scared of the "monster" which turns out to be Albert. Together they share the tree and find friendship.
Use to talk about being brave, meeting new people, taking risks.
Albert discovers the tree is not crying - a little owl is. He's scared of the "monster" which turns out to be Albert. Together they share the tree and find friendship.
Use to talk about being brave, meeting new people, taking risks.
April 1, 2018
La couverture de l'album donne le ton à cette histoire, celle d'un ours qui, après une longue saison à hiberner loin de son arbre favori, retrouve enfin ce dernier pour le meilleur... et pour le pire! Car l'arbre se met subitement à pleurer. Quel est la raison de ce soudain chagrin?
Un récit tout à fait charmant qui ne nous laisse pas indifférent, une fin tout à fait surprenante et des illustrations minimalistes, mais belles au premier regard!
Un récit tout à fait charmant qui ne nous laisse pas indifférent, une fin tout à fait surprenante et des illustrations minimalistes, mais belles au premier regard!
December 7, 2018
When Albert comes out of hibernation for the winter, he quickly finds his favorite tree and settles onto the perfect branch. That is, until the tree starts crying. He and all his friends try to figure out how to help the tree be happy. Friends come in the most unexpected ways sometimes, and this is a cozy story of how two friends meet.
April 24, 2022
In a case of mistaken identity, Albert the Bear hears crying while resting in his favorite tree. Albert and other forest friends try to comfort the tree. But in fact, an owl living in the tree is really the one who is crying--because he is afraid of the bear.
The sweet and predictable story may appeal to preschoolers. The illustrations are attractive.
The sweet and predictable story may appeal to preschoolers. The illustrations are attractive.
March 25, 2023
Cute! Reminded me a bit of Little Beaver and the Echo, which is a family favourite. Also, my teddy bear is called Albert, so bonus points for a good bear name.
November 30, 2016
Fijn prentenboek over vriendschap, angst en verdriet maar dan wel met een flinke scheut humor. De tekeningen van de beer zijn aandoenlijk en in het bos ontdek je diverse dieren en allemaal proberen ze de boom te troosten... Maar die blijft onbedaarlijk huilen. Voor kleuters vanaf 4
April 29, 2019
The former ranger in me is in love with the beautiful, lush forest depictions in the background. The story itself is fine, and pretty cute (a bear tries to cheer up a crying "tree," which ends up being an owl). But dang, those deep green forests. Makes me want to go on a hike.
July 19, 2019
Albert has come from his big sleep. And he went to his favorite tree. When he finds that his tree is crying. Then he finds a way to comfort the tree. However, it was actually an owl that was crying. And the owl went in a hole in the tree. And the owl became friends with Albert.
April 14, 2018
Get information; don't assume.
April 18, 2018
This is an interesting story about making a mistake, trees and friendships
May 13, 2018
Would be a good read-aloud
May 16, 2018
Super cute.
May 28, 2018
This sweet book made me happy.
June 6, 2018
Cute, love the illustrations. Good message, but the story is just okay.
July 10, 2018
2.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews