Alberic the Wise

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Summary: Feudel vassel Alberic learns it is alright to fail
Review: The story was originally written in 1965 but has been reissued in 1992 accompanied by some wonderful paintings by Leonard Baskin that are, indeed, reminiscent of Barry Moser (both of whom, interestingly enough, founded their own private presses). In this day and age, children are basically taught that success is everything and the only thing. This book tells a remarkably different tale: it is alright to fail, as Alberic learns repeatedly. Alberic does not wallow in his failure, he picks up and moves on to new chapters of his life. Ultimately, he learns he is a success by being thought wise, yet he remains uncomfortable in the trappings of success. Why, because he has learned that life is lived best by continual striving, that it is a process, a journey wherein "the freedom and the joy [is felt by] not knowing where each new step would take him."An altogether wonderful lesson for children and wonderful paintings.