Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews

An Evening at Alfie's

An Evening at Alfie's

Shirley Hughes
Picture Book  Series
For ages 3 to 6
Random House UK, 2010   ISBN: 978-1862309913

Alfie’s mum and dad are going out for the evening, and Maureen, who is a neighbor, is going to babysit Alfie and his little sister Annie Rose. The evening begins very well. Maureen reads Alfie a story, she tucks him into bed, and then Alfie lies in bed and looks at “the patch of light on the ceiling.

Then Alfie hears a noise on the landing, a “drip-drip” sound, and he goes to investigate. He is very surprised when he sees that water is splashing down from the ceiling and there is a puddle on the landing floor. Alfie tells Maureen all about the drip, and when she comes to investigate, the dipping is worse then ever. Maureen and Alfie put buckets and bowls under the drips, and then they call Maureen’s mother. Hopefully she can help.

Shirley Hughes is the queen of creating picture books in which everyday events are described in an engaging and interesting way. Children will be delighted to watch the way things become more and more chaotic in Alfie’s house as more and more water drips down from the ceiling.