Product Description

Mr McNally, the neighbour of Alfie and Annie Rose, is very sad. His old cat Smokey has died. As it is nearly his birthday, his family decides to hold a surprise party and buy a particularly special present to cheer him up. It is left to Alfie to look after the present until the big day...The loss of a family pet is skilfully handled within the secure world of Alfie and Annie Rose by a warm and sympathetic text, and illustrations bustling with detail and charm.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #245245 in Books
• Published on: 2004-08-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 30 pages

From the Publisher
Join Alfie and his baby sister, Annie Rose, in this classic Alfie tale reissued with a dynamic, eye-catching new cover.

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 and is renowned as a champion of children's literature. She has been the recipient of the Other Award, the Kate Greenaway Medal and the prestigious Eleanor Farjeon Award.

Customer Reviews

A lovely book to read aloud or read together
This book is just a classic Shirley Hughes. It is beautifully illustrated and the story tackles a difficult subject - the death of a family pet, with real sensitivty without getting morbid. The ending is obviously a happy one when the Birthday suprise goes well and Mr Mcnally gets his gift (a new kitten). My 3 year old son loves the pictures and the story about the suprise (all of us love suprises!). It is a gorgeous book which has dated well since it was written/illustrated in the 1970's.

Shirley Hughes - Best Children's Author
As with all books written by Shirley Hughes, this is an excellent book which my 3 year old son really enjoys having read to him time and time and time again and so does dad.

We have all the Alfie, Annie Rose and Olly & Me books and can't recommend them highly enough. Shirley Hughes's writing is funny, endearing with recognisable stories. Her wonderful illustrations are little pieces of art, each and everyone. Nobody can depict the essence of young children the way they are, like Shirley Hughes.

Shirley Hughes's Nursery collection is excellent for under 3 age group.

I would also like to recommend the Katie books (Sunflowers, Mona Lisa & the Impressionists) by James Mayhew. Because of these books my 3 year old son loves going to art galleries to see the actual pictures.