Alfie Gets In First - Shirley Hughes

This book is written by Shirley Huges who is the same person that wrote the timeless classic 'Dogger'. The story tells of a young boy named Alfie who has been to the shops with his mummy and who wants to be first to get in the door when they arrive home. He bounds in the door and before his mum can get through too, he slams the door behind hims. Alfie is only a toddler and can't reach the lock or the letterbox to pass her keys through to her so stands and cries. As time passes the a whole array of passer-bys try to help and it isn't until the window cleaner lends them his ladder that Alfie has an novel idea that he puts into practise. This book is immediately ...  Read the complete review

*** About the author *** Shirley Hughes (b.1927) is an English author and illustrator. She has written over fifty books which have sold more than 11.5 million copies, and illustrated more than two hundred. She began work as an illustrator during the 1950s and 1960s. In 1960 she wrote and illustrated her first book, 'Lucy & Tom's Day'. She is probably most well-known for her book series featuring Alfie and his little sister Annie-Rose. Shirley Hughes has received several awards for her work, including: Kate Greenaway Medal 1977 for 'Dogger', Eleanor Farjeon Award for Services to Children's Literature 1984 & OBE for Services to Children's ...  Read the complete review

Shirley Hughes began writing and illustrating children's picture books in the 1960s and Alfie is one of her most enduring and endearing creation, still enjoyed by children born in the 21st century! Alfie was first introduced to the masses in the 1980s and the stories centre around the everyday adventures of Alfie and his family, the neighbours, the milkman, the window cleaner and his friends. ~ The Story ~ After a shopping trip with his Mum and little sister, Annie Rose, Alfie races up to the front door wanting to be first. Like any other child with a younger sibling, Alfie taunts Annie Rose by saying " I raced you, I'm back first, ...  Read the complete review

For those of you without kids and a love of classic 60’s cinema Alfie can only be the loveable rogue that made Michael Caine in to an international star. For those of us with children and an interest in quality kids books Alfie is a very different kind of star. Shirley Hughes first published a book in the 1960’s when she herself was a young mother and today has had over 200 books published. One of her most enduring creations is Alfie the 4-year-old boy first introduced in the early 80’s, which in the intervening years has become a classic character in kids literature. The stories centre on the everyday adventures of Alfie and his ...  Read the complete review

After establishing Shirley Hughes' 'Dogger' as a firm favourite for bedtime reading in our house, I looked to see what other childrens stories she had written, and came across the Alfie series of books. The stories centre around the adventures of a little boy around pre-school age, Alfie, and his little sister, Annie Rose. 'Alfie Gets in First' tells the story of the day when, on returning home from the shops with his mum and sister, Alfie races ahead keen to get home first. Mum opens the door and drops the shopping into the house, Alfie races in and in his haste closes the door behind him. Mum is left on the steps outside with Annie Rose, Alfie is inside ...  Read the complete review