This picture book series is remarkable!
*****
I love children! I love books! And I love it when the two come together! It is indeed a rare treasure to find books that portray the world of children in an accurate and endearing way and the Alfie books by Shirley Hughes are such books.
Alfie is a four-and-a-half-year-old, chubby-cheeked toddler who has two hardworking parents and a little sister named Annie Rose, who toddles around with him. This likeable little chap has little things happen to him that are big things in his world: things like building sandcastles, going alone to a friend’s house for the first time and the disappointment of not winning a coveted prize.
She knows how children are
British-born Shirley Hughes published her first book in 1981 and since then has published over 11.5 million copies of her books worldwide. Many have earned prestigious awards and recognitions. Commenting about her writing Hughes has said, “It is the most wonderful job. I can’t believe that anyone would pay me for what I love to do.”
Wherever Shirley Hughes goes she takes a notebook and a drawing pad and she watches the antics and drama of small children. This gives her material to illustrate and write her books. Hughes has a way of capturing the way children grapple with the wonders and woes of growing up.
A world little children understand
One reading strategy that helps children comprehend what they are reading or hearing is the ability to make connections from what is in the book to what they already know – the ability to relate to what is being read. The books by Shirley Hughes helps children use this strategy, because they deal with the things that are so common in a child’s world. How many children have not struggled with putting boots on the right feet as Alfie does in the book Alfie’s Feet?
In this story Alfie, a true to life boy, shows sheer delight stomping through puddles with his shoes on. But wet shoes, socks and feet are not pleasant. Alfie gets a new pair of yellow boots that are perfect for stamping through puddles. But, Alfie’s boots don’t quite feel right. What could be making his boots feel so uncomfortable? Children will delight in discovering with Alfie what the trouble is. It soon dawns on Alfie that, of course, he has put his boots on the wrong feet. Alfie’s mother has an ingenious way of solving this problem and she paints a large “L” on the left boot and a large “R” on the right boot.
I especially love the picture where Hughes has captured the body language of Alfie splashing in the puddles with his body bent forward, his arms held away from his sides and a look of utter pleasure on his face.
Children are enthralled by this series because they can scrutinize the drawings on every page with great attention and make connections to their own world while they are being read to.
So often children’s books portray home as with just parent, or a place where children are disrespectful to their parents or where the Lord’s commandments are easily broken. We know from the Bible that God has given parents the role of being the primary influence in the life of a young child. Therefore the books we read to our children should keep the family in high regard. In her books Hughes creates warm, loving and yet real parents for Alfie and his younger sister. Hughes does know that it can be a trial raising two active toddlers. The interior of Alfie’s home is a clutter of discarded shoes, toys, umbrellas, folded strollers, pictures painted by small hands, the baby in the high chair is busy smearing food all over, and Mom is somewhat rumpled – the fingerprints of life with small children.
A role model for parents too!
Parents are given a patient and loving role model in Alfie’s stay-at-home mom in the book Alfie Gets in First. One day Alfie, his mom and little sister were coming home from getting the groceries. Alfie, so typical of a youngster, runs ahead because he wants to be first. He runs into the house and shuts and locks the door while his mom and little sister are still on the outside. Alfie’s expressive face shows a beaming triumphant little boy. However, Alfie is locked in the house with the keys. Mom is locked out on the outside and Alfie is unable to open the door from the inside!
From that point on we can watch the action from both sides of the door because the spine of the book is drawn in as the door. Children are thrilled by the fact that they can see what Alfie is doing inside while his mother hasn’t a clue. Mom tries asking Alfie to reach the door handle, or put the keys through the letterbox, but Alfie can’t reach either one. Soon the neighbors come out to help and give suggestions on how to rescue Alfie. In the end Alfie is the hero and the story ends happily ever after with a pot of tea that is shared with the neighbors.
It is delightful to watch the expressions on the face of Alfie change from one of bravado to despair and finally humble relief. We can also see Alfie’s mother becoming more and more harried as time goes on and her embarrassment in front of her neighbors as she admits her son is locked in the house. Alfie Gets in First, and all of the Alfie books, exemplifies the security of a loving family that can laugh at the humor of life’s little problems.
Little lessons
Hughes worries that the pace of life means that children are losing the habit of reading. She has said:
“These days children are saturated with electronic imagery. The danger is that they don’t look for the sake of looking. It is so important that they slow down to inhabit a picture, and discover things for themselves.”
A beautiful book to help your children enjoy the habit of reading or being read to is Hughes’ book Alfie Gives a Hand.
Alfie has been invited to his friend’s home for a birthday party. He prepares by getting himself cleaned up and putting on his new clothes. His mother explains to him what happens at a birthday party and also that he will be going to the party alone. This is a totally new experience for him. This experience may seem minor to adults but it is of enormous importance to little people. In order to make himself feel more secure Alfie takes along his “Old bit of blanket.”
At the party the boisterous birthday boy, Bernard, who also appears in other Alfie books, is overwhelmed with the attention and becomes ill-mannered, rude and misbehaves. Bernard frightens a small shy party guest. Alfie helps out the frightened girl and in doing so he is able to let go of his blanket. Alfie learns to put the needs of others before his own – a good lesson in appropriate social interaction. Shirley Hughes accurate observations of party incidents ring all too true in this book.
Alfie Gives a Hand does have a lot of text on each page, probably more than most books for children in the four to eight years range. However, a listener will feel like he is there with Alfie at the party and seeing things through his eyes. The simplicity of the story and the details in the pictures – often double-page spreads – make it easy for young children to understand and follow.
Highly recommended!
There are over a dozen Alfie books. Many of the books come in the form of collection of stories. If you know anyone near Alfie’s age, they need to get to know this little boy. Children will love to read about the antics of Alfie and will soon be asking for another Alfie story. His books should be on every child’s shelf. The world of Alfie is one that young children and parents will love to return to time and again.
Editor’s note: these would all rate as GIFT
