Alfie Gives a Hand [Paperback]

Shirley Hughes (Author)

Book Description

Holding tightly to his old bit of blanket as he attends his first birthday party, Alfie finds a way to be helpful, but it means putting down his blanket first.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a sequel to Alfie Gets in First and Alfie's Feet, Alfie goes to his first birthday party all by himself, clinging to his blanket. But when the birthday boy tries to frighten another guest with a mask, Alfie puts down the blanket and offers reassurance. "Hughes epitomizes the warmth and the importance of happenings in families with a graceful telling and full-color pictures," PW said.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Shirley Hughes was born and grew up in West Kirby, near Liverpool. She studied at Liverpool Art School and at the Ruskin School of Art in Oxford, before embarking on a career as a freelance illustrator. At first she worked as an interpretive illustrator, but she began to write and design her own picture books when her children were very young. Her first book, Lucy and Tom's Day, was published in 1960. Now living in London's Notting Hill, Shirley Hughes has illustrated over two hundred children's books. She was honoured with an O. B. E. in 1999 for her outstanding contribution to children's literature and has been the recipient of the Other Award, the Kate Greenaway Medal (twice) and the prestigious Eleanor Farjeon Award. Dogger was voted the nation's favourite Greenaway winner. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Mulberry Books (September 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068806521X
• ISBN-13: 978-0688065218
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 7.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,056,553 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my children's all-time favorite books, October 26, 2001

By 

Soozie4Him (Chicago suburbs) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Alfie Gives a Hand (Library Binding)

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!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not too long, July 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Alfie Gives a Hand (Library Binding)

...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.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Child-Sized Example of Kindness, May 11, 2009

By 

Shanna A. Gonzalez "eyelevelbooks.com" (Gaithersburg, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alfie Gives a Hand (Library Binding)

Another Alfie story about Alfie's first invitation to a birthday party. He is frightened to be away from his mother and sister, and brings along his favorite blanket; but in the course of the party, the badly-behaved birthday boy torments another child and Alfie has to choose between comforting the frightened child and holding on to his own security blanket. A wonderful, child-size look at putting others' needs before one's own.