Hey, Al

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.

ARTHUR YORINKS and RICHARD EGIELSKI have collaborated on several books together. Mr. Yorinks lives in New York City, and Mr. Egielski lives in Milford, New Jersey.

"Like Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are, this picture book explores the pleasures and the costs of leaving home. . .Hey, Al is a perfect melding of words and pictures, fantasy and reality, tenderness and humor." --Judith Viorst, The New York Times Book Review

"Outstanding artwork. . .The author and artist succeed again, with a book that has something for everyone." --Starred, Booklist