Project Description

Picture Books

BUY NOW

Albert the Fix-it Man

by Janet Lord
illustrated by Julie Paschkis

Albert has a tool for every job, and he’s never too busy or too tired to fix things for his neighbors.

Albert is always on the lookout for things to fix. If a hinge is rusty, he oils it. If a roof is leaky, he patches it. When Mr. Jensen’s old green pickup needs a new motor, Albert hoists up the truck and drops it in. All his neighbors count on Albert to help them. But one day Albert is too sick to get out of bed. He’s dizzy and his bones ache. What will happen when Albert is the one that needs help?

Author Janet Lord’s simple story of generosity repaid is complemented by artist Julie Paschkis’s colorful, folk-style illustrations. The result is a timeless story that celebrates the importance of helping others and the value of community.

Format: Hardcover
Price: $15.95
ISBN: 978-1-56145-433-4
Publication Date: 3/1/2008
Page Count: 32
Size: 8-3/4″ x 9-1/4″
Age Range: 4 – 8
Language: English
Format: Paperback
Price: $7.95
ISBN: 978-1-56145-830-1
Publication Date: 2/1/2015
Page Count: 32
Size: 8-3/4″ x 9-1/4″
Age Range: 4 – 8
Language: English
AR Level: 3.0
F&P: GRL L, Gr 2, Genre RF
Lexile: AD660L
Themes: Community, Friendship, Help, Repairs
BISAC 1: JUV039060  JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Friendship
BISAC 2: JUV006000  JUVENILE FICTION / Business, Careers, Occupations
BISAC 3: JUV023000  JUVENILE FICTION / Lifestyles / City & Town Life

Reviews

“Lord’s rhythmic, simple text is perfectly cadenced for reading aloud, while Paschkis’ cheerful illustrations, filled with scrolling designs and smiling friends, reinforce the sense of the close, busy community working together.” ―Booklist, STARRED REVIEW 

“A welcome dose of old-fashioned neighborliness.” ―School Library Journal

“This is a warmly affecting story of (multicultural) community, greatly enhanced by Paschkis’s stylish watercolor illustrations.” ―Kirkus Reviews

Read More

“This is a wonderful story about helpfulness that also makes a nice point about repairing rather than discarding and buying new. Bright watercolors have a warm, fuzzy, old-timey feel.” ―The Virginian-Pilot

“The story reveals that practical compassion is a fix-it skill children possess.” ―Chicago Tribune

“Bright watercolor illustrations are reminiscent of older style books-the characters have laughing eyes-but they are striking, somewhat whimsical, and enjoyable…a nice story with a good message.” ―Library Media Connection

“A charming story of a helpful old-fashioned man doing his best in a newfangled world.” ―The Wichita Eagle

“Cheerful illustrations, filled with smiling faces, reinforce the story’s strong sense of community spirit.” ―Book Links

Read Less

Awards

The Best Read Aloud Picture Books ―Curriculum Materials Center at Minnesota State University Moorhead

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Primary) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2009

Prairie Bud Children’s Book Award (Nominee) ―South Dakota Library Association, SD Reading Council, SD State Library, SD Elementary School Principals, 2010-2011

Friends Medallion (Special Award) ―Virginia Beach Friends School, 2008

You May Also Like

Meet the Author

Janet Lord earned her BA in graphic arts and advertising from Concord University and now works as a graphic designer. She is the author of Where Is Catkin?, Albert the Fix-It Man, and Here Comes Grandma!, all illustrated by her sister Julie Paschkis. She lives in Pennsylvania.

Meet the Illustrator

Julie Paschkis attended Cornell University and the School for American Craftsmen at RIT, where she earned a BFA. She taught art to grade school children for several years while working on her own art and illustration. Julie now works full-time painting, creating commercial illustrations, and illustrating children’s books. Some of her books include Albert the Fix-It Man; Where Is Catkin?; Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella; and Yellow Elephant: A Bright Bestiary. She lives in Washington. You can visit her website here.