Questions embedded within the text are useful for encouraging children to use their imaginations and deduction skills to predict the next part of the story. They are also great discussion simulators and can therefore encourage engagement with the story. Join Alfie and Dad as they spend time together in this wonderful collection of stories from the award-winning Shirley Hughes. Alfie's dad is always there for Alfie and Annie Rose. He's there to reassure Alfie during a restless night; he's there to fi... Shirley Hughes illustrated more than 200 children's books and is one of the best-loved writers for children, known for her beloved classics including the Alfie and Annie Rose stories, and Dogger.

Visit beautiful Norwich Department store in the Heart of Norwich, or one of our branches in NorfolkIn 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 Continue reading » This led to a year at Liverpool Art School studying fashion and costume design followed by fine art at the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art in Oxford. Young children are able to find the extraordinary in every day ordinary scenes, like losing a beloved stuffed animal, helping your baby sister eat with her spoon, and going to a friend's birthday party. A collection of stories and poems starring Alfie as he discovers the wonder of life in the great outdoors with various family members, including his sister Annie Rose, Grandma, and Dad. ...

Lily, like most preschoolers, is a creature of habit. So when Mom's flu and Dad's job requires her to spend a day at the house of Melanie, a grown-up family friend she barely remembers, Lily is Continue reading » Shirley Hughes was born in West Kirby, near Liverpool, in 1927, and studied fashion and dress design at Liverpool Art School, before continuing her studies at the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art in Oxford. She started her career as a freelance illustrator in London, illustrating other writers' work, including Noel Streatfeild, Alison Uttley, Ian Seraillier and notably Dorothy Edwards's My Naughty Little Sister series. Christmas is rapidly approaching, almost as fast as Mae Morgan's new sibling is expected on the scene. Mae has a part in the school play as the ``angel Gave-you'' (no one has the heart to correct Continue reading » But, before I talk about this, I need to segue slightly. The other day I was discussing comic books with somebody and how they were being disparaged by parents who did not approve of their children who read these books. My point there, and one which applies here as well, was that the visual literacy needed to read and appreciate comics is massive - and it all contributes towards becoming literate. It is just another, and a deceptively complicated, route towards literacy. Alfie is excited when he is invited to Bernard's birthday party, though he feels a bit nervous about going on his own. But Alfie has such a great time that he finds he doesn't even need his special blanket -- and he makes a new friend too!...

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On one special day, he and his best friend, Bernard, make birthday surprises for a very, very old lady. Despite some scepticism from Alfie, who would have preferred to play with Bernard at home, they deliver their goodies to Great-Grandma Hilary who turns out to be much more exciting than they had expected. Mom and Dad have gone out for the night, leaving Maureen MacNally to look after Alfie and Annie Rose. Everything is quiet until water starts dripping from the ceiling! With a little help from Mr. and Mrs. MacNally, the leak is soon under control, but...