Alfie and the Birthday Surprise

Alfie

by Shirley Hughes

Hoping that a surprise birthday party will help to cheer up neighbor and store owner Mr. MacNally, Alfie plans an additional, extra-special surprise and fears he cannot keep his plans a secret.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Death, Cats

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 4, 1997

About the author

Shirley Hughes is the illustrator of more than two hundred children’s books and has won many prestigious awards, including the Kate Greenaway Medal twice. She is the author-illustrator of DON'T WANT TO GO! and OLLY AND ME 1 2 3. She died at her home in London on the 25th of February, 2022.

Reviews

[Jenny]

Deals with the death of a beloved pet in a gentle way.

[Amanda Corboy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alfie’s neighbours, the MacNallys, have a cat named Smoky who sadly dies. Bob MacNally is very upset, so to cheer him up Alfie suggests throwing Bob a surprise party for his upcoming birthday. The surprise goes well and Bob is happy with his presents and cake, especially when his daughter buys him a new kitten.

I enjoyed this book as it tackles a difficult subject sensitively. It shows Alfie being kind and considerate, thinking about how to cheer someone up. It is well illustrated so it would work well as a read aloud book to lower KS1 students. It also has good vocabulary, including descriptive words, which will help students when writing their own stories.

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a spoiler, but for a children’s book, it needs one. It starts with a cat dying. It was very similar to the end of our dog’s life, so it was a little unexpected to read that in the first few pages of a book called “Birthday Surprise!” It was very nicely written and handled, and I appreciated the dialogue. Aside from the surprising start to the book, we really enjoyed the story and illustrations!

[Charity Yost Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book addresses the death of a pet, though nothing in the title warns of that. It was good for us because we had just lost a pet, but consider this your warning if you don't want to open a can of big questions.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the importance and friendship / companionship found in pets. And how a cat can effect a community.
It also shows how wonderful it is to be part of a community/ neighbourhood.

When the neighbour's old cat dies, the street combine to comfort Mr MacNally with a surprise birthday, including a new kitten.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Alfie book seemed much more wordy than the others we have read, but my three-year-old happily listened to the whole story in one sitting. I like that this book handles the death of a pet in a positive way. Because it is the neighbor's pet, the child reader is a bit removed from the sadness, and Alfie is able to help comfort the neighbor by participating in a cheerful birthday surprise, which keeps the focus on the good that often arises from bad situations. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book as a birthday gift, since it does focus so much on death, but I also wouldn't label it a "death book" and only use it for that purpose.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, endearing story.

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love her illustrations.
2/2/21 Read with Naomi and Julia

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alissa was so sad when the old cat died.

[Char · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brings up themes of death and emotions. Not sure you should squash a kitten into a box though!

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hum, not quite what I was expecting based on the cute and festive cover. It's the story of the neighbor's old cat, how much the neighbor loves it, and how devastated he is when the cat dies. Even though he doesn't want to celebrate his birthday (which comes soon after the sad event), his wife and Alfie's family decide to surprise him with a party--and a new kitten.

While I think this story's heart is in the right place, and it shows the important message that there is always room in our hearts and that new loves don't mean we forget the old ones, I wasn't quite as emotionally touched as I might have been and I just am not sure that the birthday surprise party was the best context for the message. It's nice the family wants to help the man feel better, but I personally believe it is up to each individual to decide when they are ready to invite a new pet into the family. Still, illustrations are adorable and it's a sweet story, just perhaps not best for a "birthday story" for little ones as it could be very upsetting.

[Rachael Vanderhoof · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alfie and the Birthday Surprise is about a family surprising their dad with a new pet, after his beloved cat Smokie passes away from old age. This is a children's book that effectively addresses the issue of losing a pet, and touches the surface of understanding death and the process of grief. The illustrations are detailed and beautifully drawn. I would reccomend this book for grades 2-4, and may use it in the classroom as a silent read.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

makes me sniffle every time I read it
especially nice for anyone dealing with the loss of a favorite pet
lovely sense of community as Alfie's family plot with Bob McNally's family to surprise him with a new kitten

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book as a child!! I met and had it signed by Shirley Hughes herself! This was one of my favourite stories but they are all lovely, simple, but beautifully told stories. I am keeping these to read to my children one day!

[Shelby Royalty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little surprised by this book. I don't think young children would enjoy the story since it revolves around a family pet dying. However, I enjoyed the story and could maybe find some way to use it.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have become Alfie and Annie Rose fans...we even pretend to be them. I have now found a stuffed lamb tied into a leftover container due to this book. Read Shirley Hughes and love her.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story to teach children about others who may be grieving over the loss of a pet.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best childhood book about a birthday!

[Emkoshka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute as always, and with the added bonus of cats and cake!

[Miles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like Alfie and the Birthday Surprise because of when Maureen brought Bob McNally a kitten.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for children who know someone who is grieving.