Alfie Gives A Hand - Shirley Hughes

I haven’t seen this book for ages and read it for the first time the other day specifically because I was asked to. So, there I was reading it to a class of 5 and 6 year olds, and here I am saying that “no, it’s not my favourite book!” **The Story** The story begins with Alf finding a letter with his name on it. He is nursery age so that’s pretty good of him to point out to his mum that the letter is for him. Mum explains that it is an invitation to his friend, Bernard’s party, and Alfie starts to get excited. The day of the party arrives and Alfie is excited as mum baths him and talks about what happens at birthday parties. He puts ...  Read the complete review

About The Author ============== Shirley Hughes published her first book Lucy and Tom's Day in 1960. Since then she has illustrated over two hundred children's books and is known as a champion of children's literature. Shirley Hughes has been awarded the Kate Greenaway medal, the prestigious Eleanor Farjeon Award and in 1999 she was honoured with an OBE for her distinguished services to Children's literature. The Story ======== Alfie is very excited, he has been invited to his best friends birthday party and he has never been to a party before. Mum tells him all about parties how you take a present, games he would play and all about the ...  Read the complete review

This is another book about Alfie, this time he is invited to his friend Bernards birthday party. He is not very keen to go as he is a bit worried as his mum and little sister will not be there. He decides to go but only if he can take his security blanket. There is a little girl there, who is very frightened, he holds her hand and re-assures her. When it comes to the birthday tea, he sits next to the littls girl, the blanket gets covered in Jam, cake etc, he decides he no longer wants to keep his blanket. Bernard is rather boisterous he goes around with a tiger mask scaring everyone, but Alfie is well behaved and is glad he came after all. Good ...  Read the complete review

This is another story written and illustrated by Shirley Hughes about four year old Alfie. In this episode Alfie has been invited to his best friend Bernard's birthday tea party. Alfie has lots of questions to ask about the party, but when he discovers that his Mum won't be there he becomes anxious and resorts to taking his bit of old blanket with him. Alfie has a good time at the party but his blanket gets in the way, eventually he gains confidence and also helps a little girl to enjoy the party too. Bernard gets a bit too excited at times and gets told off quite a lot. The story explores young children's anxieties and how different children ...  Read the complete review