Hughes, Shirley Books

The Big Alfie and Annie Rose Storybook

Shirley Hughes

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Comforting and cozy 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

My son, 3, loves this book. The stories have humor, tenderness, and the children are always treated with dignity. I love Shirley Hughes!

The most wonderful series of books! 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

We raised all 3 of our children on Shirley Hughes's books ("Dogger" was the all-time favorite) and now I'm giving them to my first grandchild. Absolutely first-rate stories with the most exquisite, fascinating illustrations. Do your children/grandchildren a favor and get them hooked on this series!

We love you Alfie! 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

All the Alfie and Annie Rose books are excellent! My son and I read them over and over, without getting bored. Gentle little stories about everyday life, with likeable characters and lovely illustrations. Often humorous. My favorite children's author.

A heart-warming collection featuring a loving family. 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This book was an all-time favorite with my sons when they were ages 3-7. From unexpected adventures to everyday routine, Alfie meets life with good-natured friendliness, honesty, and quick thinking. The stories emphasize the multi-dimensioned personality of every human, no matter his/her age! I wish there were more books like Hughes writes.

Editorial Review:

This charming collection of nine short stories, poems, and colorful pictures starring Alfie and his baby sister, Annie Rose, celebrate the drama of everyday life.

Dogger Storybook and CD

Shirley Hughes

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

What a wonderful book! 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I hadn't read this book since childhood, but recently my girlfriend and I started trading and reading books from our childhoods. I bought a copy of Dogger for her and she read it out loud to me. I started crying, and just couldn't stop. I can remember feeling just like Dave when I was younger and losing something, it was a horrible feeling. If only we could all have a sister like Bella. The wonderful story and pictures will touch you, and stay with you forever.

One of my little girl's favourite stories! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is a lovely, lovely story with very good illustrations. My little girl knew the book off by heart by the time she she was 18 months old. I would say it's a must have for all children.

Editorial Review:

When Dave loses his favorite toy, Dogger, he is very sad. But when Dogger turns up for sale at the neighborhood fair, everything seems all right—until someone else buys him before Dave can get the money! This timeless classic uses simple words and detailed pictures to show the distress the loss of a toy can cause a child. Filled with humor and Shirley Hughes’s artful touch, this is a book for young readers to tackle by themselves, as well as a delight to read aloud.

Ella's Big Chance: A Jazz-Age Cinderella (Kate Greenaway Medal (Awards))

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A Book Right Out of the Golden Age of Movies-Sensational! 5 out of 5 stars.
14 of 14 people found this review helpful.

Knowing that this Cinderella-themed book won the "Kate Greenaway Medal for Children's Illustration," I decided to look at the illustration before reading the text. I was looking for authenticity and creativity in the pictures, as well as a hint of the story to come. I'm also a fan of jazz, and although the music isn't synonymous with the "age," I was curious to see whether author/illustrator Shirley Hughes incorporated any musical elements.

It didn't take long to discover the sweep and style of the 1920's, for Hughes' 2-page opening title shows a glossy ballroom floor, inhabited by a small jazz band, self-assured men in tuxedoes and tails, fashionable women in full length gowns (plunging either in front or back), and a white-coated "manservant" offering martinis. (Zelda, we have arrived!) As the story begins, pictures show the middle and under classes, and the scornful looks of the social "betters." The latter are dressed in chiffon, feathers, fancy hats, and jewelry, and a man sports a pinstripe suit with a rose boutonnière and impeccable black and white spats. You can sense the texture of their clothes, just as you can feel the conflicting attitudes of the haves and have-nots. I cheated and looked at the endpaper: The rich colors come from gouache, accented and shaded with pen. In addition (and, as noted by another reviewer), Hughes' original dress designs were inspired by 1920's French couture; her ballroom scenes by the décor and set designs of the glorious RKO-produced Astaire/Rogers musicals. The book's remaining pictures convey emotion (especially in cinematic-like close-ups), dramatic lighting, subtle and grand action, and swirls of gorgeous, opulent color. Hughes captures the look of money and the face of disenfranchisement with equal magnificence.

OK, so I'm completely sold on the pictures. What about the story? As you may have gathered, the Cinderella here is "Ella Cinder," a comely woman who's an expert helper in her father's dress shop. When she can, she laughs with almost- boyfriend "Buttons." As for the scornful women mentioned above, they're her dad's new wife (Cinder's stepmother) and her daughters (the stepsisters!). The stepmother takes over running the shop, the stepsisters model, lounge about, and call Cinder names, and Cinder herself has to work harder than ever. Mr. Cinders is a broken man in this power play, and he can do nothing to help his daughter.

Buttons, however, scrappy American that he is, "stays on the job for [Cinder's] sake." "Privately he called the [stepsisters] a couple of puffed-up, made-up, stuck-up, brainless parakeets." He also plays his guitar" in Ella's ratty basement room, and sometimes, "they even danced together...moving softly in and out among the bales of cotton." This is pure literary magic, Hughes' words and pictures mesh like a slow dance; they're consistently evocative and note-perfect.

I'll now cut to the chase of this modernized (to a point) fairy tale: An elite ball is planned, and the stepsisters scoff at the neglected Cinder. Very soon, however, an efficient yellow-hatted woman with a purple umbrella (her wand, it turns out) does her magic, and Ella turns into the Queen of the Jazz Age, the Belle of the Ball, and the Delight of the Duke who dances with her. Hughes wisely keeps the stroke of twelve and missing slipper motifs, but like any good 1920's film, Ella turns down the rich duke for her true love, Buttons, who can promise only his winning and constant love, a dream of owning their own shop, and his famous bacon and eggs. This book from 2003 is a complete delight, excelling in every conceivable way, and it's hard to imagine any child (or adult) not enjoying and treasuring it immensely.

Note: The book is so cinematic in illustration, plot, and dialogue, that I'm already having fun casting a hypothetical "movie": Perhaps director Frank Capra (or George Cukor) would insist on a dulled-down Carole Lombard as "Cinder"; Stewart , Cagney, or a relatively new, "nice guy" actor as "Buttons," and S.Z. "Cuddles" Sakall or Lionel Barrymore as the beleaguered father. Joan Crawford and Rosalind Russell would reprise their cat-fighting roles from "The Women," with Katherine Hepburn (cast against type) or Bette Davis as the (wicked) stepmother, and Franchot Tone or Leslie Howard as romantically tragic Duke. Indulge yourself as I did, and buy this book for a child, and, especially, for yourself.

Editorial Review:

The classic story of Cinderella gains even more charm in this glamorous retelling by world-famous picture book writer and illustrator Shirley Hughes.

Ella Cinders loves helping her father in his dress shop and laughing with her friend Buttons, the store's delivery boy. Then comes the terrible day when her father remarries and everything changes. Her stepmother makes her sew in the dreary basement. Her stepsisters mock her shabby dress. And to top it off, the new Mrs. Cinders forbids Ella to attend the duke's grand ball. Heartbroken, Ella is sure that her life will never be what she dreamed. But with the help of a fairy godmother and some sparkling courage of her own, this Cinderella discovers that dreams can come true in the most unexpected of ways.

Join Ella amidst the dazzle and fashion of the roaring twenties as she takes happily ever after into her own hands!

Rhymes for Annie Rose

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

This is the sweetest book for babies and young children. 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I named my baby girl, Annie Rose, and so when I found out about this book I had to snatch one up! It is an adorable and gentle little poetry book for young children. My baby enjoys it; even my 3- and 5-year-old boys love it. They think Annie Rose is so funny and they like her big brother, Alphie too. We have read this book many times together and have enjoyed it every time.

A two-year-old's thought on this book. 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

My two-year-old daughter recently received this book for her birthday. She was immediately intrigued by it and wanted it read to her often. About two days later she picked it up once again to have it read to her and announced, "I yove dis book."

Editorial Review:

"A welcome collection of 20 fresh new poems about Annie Rose, her family, and friends--beloved characters....The subject matter is right on target for young children--simple, everyday pleasures; humorous character studies; and flights of the imagination....Inviting pastoral scenes are depicted in full-and double-page paintings and vignettes with attention paid to small details....Particularly engaging."--School Library Journal.

Alfie's World

Shirley Hughes

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Editorial Review:

Discover all there is to know about Alfie’s family, the street where he lives, his friends, his toys, and much more.

Alfie and the Big Boys

Shirley Hughes

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Editorial Review:

Alfie's Nursery School is right next door to the Big School where the big boys go. Alfie and Bernard wish that they could be friends with the most popular big boy, Ian Barger, but Ian never takes any notice of the little kids. One Saturday morning, mom takes Alfie and Annie Rose to a Plant Pot Sale. Alfie hasn't been there long when he spots Ian Barger screaming and yelling that he wants his mommy. Ian grabs Alfie's hand and holds onto him very tightly until his mom returns.

Annie Rose Is My Little Sister

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Uplifting reading for the big brother 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

This book sweetly celebrates the new--and life-long--relationship between a big brother and his little sister. This year, our 4-year-old son became a big brother. We received other books about big-brotherhood, but many present some pretty dire negatives (the baby will cry a lot, the baby will take your parents' attention, the baby will want your stuff) and I have never even bothered to read them to our son because I didn't want to taint his view of having a little sister. I have no hesitation in reading this book to our son, and as our baby girl grows, I will happily read it to her so she too can hear about the blessing of having a big brother. We initially got this book from the library, but are now purchasing it to keep on hand.

Editorial Review:

Siblings everywhere will identify with this charmingly realistic story of Shirley Hughes’s Alfie and his trying but lovable little sister.


Annie Rose and Alfie have lots of games they like to play together, like being scary monsters or running their own store. But there are some things Annie Rose is too little to do, and even some things Alfie would rather do without her. Still, if Annie Rose is ever sad or cranky, her big brother is the only person who can make her feel better. This is Shirley Hughes at her best - warm and wonderfully observed illustrations and a touching text convey the special bond between siblings.

Shirley Hughes Collection

Shirley Hughes, et al

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Alfie Wins a Prize

Shirley Hughes

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Editorial Review:

Alfie and Annie Rose are at the Harvest Fair where Alfie enters his masterpiece: Motor Bike Man in the under-fives painting competition. As he checks out the prizes—a dinosaur book, a jigsaw puzzle, and a bottle of green bubble bath—he spots a rather sad looking woolly sheep, the consolation prize. Alfie is delighted to win third prize, but dismayed to see that consolation prize winner Louise is not at all happy with the woolly sheep and dumps him on the floor by her chair. Alfie knows that toys cannot understand, but secretly he thinks the sheep's feelings might be hurt. Then Alfie has a brilliant idea, one that makes everyone happy.

My Naughty Little Sister

Dorothy Edwards

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Editorial Review:

My naughty little sister is stubborn, greedy, and full of mischief. She tries to cut off the cat's tail; she bites Santa's hand; and she and Bad Harry eat all the pudding at Harry's party. How much trouble can one little sister cause?