Alfie Gets in First

Why, oh why do they let the best books go out of print?! My kids loved this book when they were little--and I'd love to give it as a baby gift today....pity. All the "Alfie" books are thoughtful, warm, well-written and well-illustrated. Shirley Hughes is a master at her craft. If you can get this book, do so, and read it aloud to your child. Alfie is the perfect toddler main character, with a normal toddler life. It's the book equivalent to "one camera" filming, rather than the usual 2-second sound bites (Mr. Rogers vs. Sesame St.)--a breath of fresh air. In this book people move, think and feel at a "human" rate--perfect for a sleepy toddler who is following along as you read a bedtime story. The illustrations are detailed, but not ornate; every item has a purpose & you will see your child explore the drawings as you read. This is one of the best.

Shirley Hughes's books are incredible, and this one is our favorite. I have read this book to all 3 of my daughters and they all love it. They are now 19, 15, and 4. I grew up in England and have lived in the US for the last 35 years and Shirley Hughes's books bring back the feeling of being in England so well. Little ones can listen for hours to her stories!

When my son was born 13 years ago the hospital gave him this book. His first book. His favorite book until recently ( I think he is to cool to admit it now). It is evene in perfect condition. Hard to do with a toddler, young reader and now teenager. He still keeps it on his bookshelf and he tells his friends it was his first book.

This is one of my favorite Alfie Books. It is also the first in the series. It's about a toddler named Alfie who keeps running ahead of his mother and baby sister as they return from their shopping. Alfie wants to get home first. Eventually, he gets into the flat first--only to shut the door and lock himself in. Various neighbors come over to help, until there is a crowd in front of the door. The situation is rendered wonderfully in "split-screen" fashion, with the adults and the exterior of the flat on the left-hand page and Alfie and the interior of the flat on the right-hand page. Thus we see the adults standing outside and becoming increasingly alarmed, while Alfie calms himself down, brings a chair over, climbs up on it, and opens the door. Then everyone comes in for tea. It's really a sweet story. It's also a cautionary tale for those toddlers who, like mine, tend to shut doors they ought not to. Alfie's predicament made quite an impression on my son!

I have a hard time believing such a wonderful book for two year olds is out of print. Both my children love the story of this little boy whose brazen independance places him in a scary situation. They truely could relate to his delimma and the feelings it caused. They really loved the ending. It reinforced that independance may get you into scary situations but with it you can also get out of them and feel proud of your accomplishment.