Alfie Gives a Hand

Rating:
Summary: Not too long
Review: ...Alfie Gives a Hand is my two-year old's favorite Alfie story. We have read it over and over and over again and he delights in pointing out things in the illustrations. My daughter also loved these stories when she was two and three.

Rating:
Summary: One of my children's all-time favorite books
Review: Shirley Hughes created such a lovable character when she created Alfie! My children are in their late teens and early twenties and we still talk about these Alfie books! I am so sad to see that "Alfie Gives a Hand" seems to be out of print. If you can get a copy used here on Amazon, DO IT!

The illustrations are priceless - they depict REAL children and REAL life. One of the reviewers here said that she felt it was too long a story for a 2 year old and I probably agree. I think 3 to 6 year olds would understand the point more.

After all these years, I remember the story so well. Alfie is invited to his first birthday party. His mom gets him washed up and in clean clothes and off they go, with Annie Rose in her stroller. Alfie is a little scared of this new experience (and don't you have little ones in your house who can identify?!) and he takes his blanket with him for comfort.

The birthday boy turns out to be rather ill-mannered (that happens sometimes too!) and one present gets thrown all over, and he blows bubbles into his jello (my kids got a big kick out of that!). Then it comes time to play a game in a circle. There is a little girl who is even more scared than Alfie and she doesn't want to play. Alfie makes the courageous choice to put his precious blanket down hold this little girl's hand. It works - she happily plays the game because of Alfie's kindness. And Alfie discovers that it pays to help others, even if it means putting down your blanket for a time!

I highly recommend ALL the Alfie books!

Rating:
Summary: Alfie is a hero
Review: This is a wonderful book. It's about 4-year-old Alfie and a birthday party for his friend Bernard, who is as boistrous as Alfie is shy. At first Alfie refuses to go to the party without his blanket and refuses to put it down with the coats, but in the end, he learns that he can get along without his blanket after all. He bravely decides to put it aside so that he can cheer up a little girl who's even more bashful than he is. Alfie is a sweetie.
The illustrations (by the author, Shirley Hughes) are colorful and engaging, depicting a delightful array of characters. Ms. Hughes has a keen eye for how people really look. All of her Alfie books are terrific -- this one is my family's favorite.