Reviews

Albert's Quiet Quest by Isabelle Arsenault

novelesque_life's review against another edition

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4.0

RATING: 4 STARS
2019, Tundra Books/Penguin Random House Canada

I love Arsenault's writing and illustrations. Her novels are such fun to read out loud.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

decafplease's review against another edition

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3.0

Not exactly tactful in preaching acceptance of introversion in today’s society. But it will do.

banana83854's review against another edition

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3.0

Poor Albert! I can relate... Preferred this one much more over Maya's Big Scene.

readersreadingnook's review

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funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.0

nicktomjoe's review against another edition

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4.0

Charming and inventive, a narrative where the only words are in the dialogue between the children, this explores relationships, imagination and the role of quiet. A sort of “Sign on Rosie’s Door” for a new generation?

mat_tobin's review against another edition

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4.0

Albert’s Quiet Quest follows the latest adventures of Arsenault’s Mile End Kids series and has made me want to picked up the first: Colette’s Lost Pet. In this instalment, we find Albert, frustrated with the noise of his companions, in need of a quiet space. Heading outside he stumbles across an abandoned framed painting of the sea, sun and sand – a far flung idyll from his noisy neighbourhood. Whilst he imagines himself there, the Mile End crew descend on him and gradually intrude upon his imagined vacation. Chaos ensues but from it comes a beautiful little message on the mutual, enjoyable silences of friendship.

Arsenault manages all this with the use of direct speech alone and careful positioning, perspective and colour. Pace is just right throughout as is the framing to capture Albert’s sweeping adventure into the painting and the chaotic rumblings of his friends’ intrusion. What a wonderful series what echoes deeply of Schulz’s philosophies.

brambresseleers's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

trikota's review against another edition

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5.0

This is a little gem of a story. It’s gentle but not without conflict. It has imagination, friendship, books - everything that I love. But what makes it sing is the absolute mastery of Arsenault’s art. She is a master. Subtle and vibrant at once.

antlersantlers's review against another edition

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4.0

Isabelle Arsenault is my favorite illustrator and this book is lovely. It builds kind of like [b:Leave Me Alone!|27414464|Leave Me Alone!|Vera Brosgol|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1451244885i/27414464._SX50_.jpg|47463602] or [b:My Very Own Space|31944799|My Very Own Space|Pippa Goodhart|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1475300694i/31944799._SX50_.jpg|52603463], but I like the ending with all the neighborhood kids coming together to read quietly.

blackjessamine's review against another edition

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3.0

Un libro che si legge in un soffio e che non può non strappare un sorriso: le illustrazioni della Arsenault sono come sempre deliziose, questa volta declinate in una bellissima palette di grigi, arancioni e turchesi.
Mi piace sempre molto il suo modo di ritrarre i più piccini, anche se devo ammettere di aver trovato questo lavoro un po' meno incisivo di altri.