Albie’s First Word, A Tale Inspired by Albert Einstein’s Childhood, Written by Jacqueline Tourville and Illustrated by Wynne Evans

Albie’s First Word

Written by Jacqueline Tourville

Illustrated by Wynne Evans

Most people have heard of the name, Albert Einstein, but few know that when he was a young child, he did not speak.

Though he was like other boys his age and had fun jumping in puddles or swimming in the nearby Danube River, young Albie did not speak, not a single word. As time went by, his parents became concerned, particularly because their younger child, Maya, hardly ever stopped talking! Despite his lack of speech, Albie often astounded his parents by the way his mind worked: he once took a compass apart and put it back together perfectly. When taken to the symphony, he was mesmerized by the music, waving his arms in time with the orchestra so his parents knew that he could hear. They took him to a doctor and followed through with his good suggestions, but still Albie remained silent until the day when he was ready to speak. Later in life, Albert Einstein grew up to revolutionize Physics.

Tourville’s historical fiction book explores a little known aspect of Einstein’s early life. Evans’ luminous illustrations bring the text to life. Highly recommended for inclusion in any home, school, or public library.