Summary
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.
Arthur Yorinks was born in Roslyn, New York on August 21, 1953. His first children's book, Sid and Sol, was published in 1977. He has written over 30 children's books including Louis the Fish, It Happened in Pinsk, Company's Coming, Christmas in July, Whitefish Will Rides Again!, The Miami Giant, and Tomatoes from Mars. Hey, Al, illustrated by Richard Egielski, won the 1987 Caldecott award. He has also written opera librettos, ballets, plays and film scripts.
(Bowker Author Biography)
