Albert Talbot

A fun and playful story celebrating the joys of make-believe play and the freedom to be whoever you want, from the author of The Misadventures of Frederick, Ben Manley, and Daddy Long Legs illustrator Aurélie Guillerey.

Not keen on swimming lessons? Now you are Zandrian Delaclair, Antarctic Submariner – destroyer of the abominable Vampire Cuttlefish!

Albert goes through his day from getting up, to going to school and finally to bed, facing various challenges. But by imagining himself as powerful heroes he is able to wear each persona and feel brave in adversity, dangerous when powerless, transgressive when bound by the rules.

Taking on exciting identities from: Rusti Buffels, Fearless Mountaineer, to Professor Octavius Pickleswick, Mechanical Engineer, Albert comes to find that although pretending to be someone else can be fun and exciting, it's also just as wonderful being yourself.

About the Author

Ben Manley is a writer and designer. His writing is full of humour and heart with a touch of the gothic – as weird and wonderful as an attic full of vampire hamsters. He also works as a digital copywriter and web designer. Ben lives in Norwich with his wife and two children.

About the Illustrator

Aurélie Guillerey shared her time growing up in France between school and a conservatoire where she learnt to play the piano. She went on to study Illustration at the renowned L'Ecole Superieur des Arts Decoratifs in Strasbourg, graduating in 1999. She now lives in Rennes, France.