The words Grandpappy's Corner next to an older-looking anthropomorphized pilcrow, with a copy of Hey, Al by Arthur Yorink sitting on a wood stool.

Hey, Al

by Arthur Yorinks, Richard Egielski (Illustrator)

DETAILS:
Publisher: Square Fish
Publication Date: May 01, 1989
Format: Hardcover
Length: 32 pgs.
Read Date: April 18, 2026
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What’s Hey, Al About?

Al is a janitor, and Eddie is his faithful dog. They do everything together–work, leisure, you name it. They live in a cramped apartment in New York. And the quarters might be a little too tight for the two, even as close as they are (Eddie, in particular, seems to want more).

One day, a giant bird offers them a way out–he offers to take the two of them somewhere to get away from all of their lives. That’s a bit much for Al to take in, and he resists. But Eddie puts his foot down, so the next day this giant bird takes them to its home–a floating island in the sky.

Because, of course, it is.

This island is populated by all sorts of various birds best described larger-than-they-should be, and the life seems idyllic.

But, as everything does, there is a cost to this. And it’s not long before the pair learn what it is. Is it too much?

Let’s Talk about the Art for a Minute

Oh, it’s just great. Apparently, Yorinks and Egielski work together a lot–and they should. Egielski’s illustrations are just dynamite. They perfectly capture the story–and they’re attention-grabbing enough that a young reader might not really care about the text, as long as they can flip through the book to look at the illustrations.

The birds are fantastic–and that island (gravity-defying as it may be) looks gorgeous. The emotions–positive and negative–of Al and Eddie are conveyed perfectly.

It’s just great.

How is it to Read Aloud?

It’s fine–there’s nothing dazzling about the text, it’s a solid story that the grown-up reader will be able to make it through just fine while looking at all the art with their younger audience.

So, what did I think about Hey, Al?

Honestly, it seemed a little dark for a couple of pages, given the audience. But I remember kids’ books don’t need to make everything too exciting and happy–kids can handle a little darkness (especially if there’s a happy ending–and spoiler alert, there is one.)

This is just a wonderful book read–full of imagination. It’s one to get your hands on (even if you’re a little “too old” for it).

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