This picture
book is a charming and delightful venture into just what it takes to be bold
and brave. On the outside Alfie is sleek and gorgeous - the child of a champion
pit bull with rippling muscles and an impressive pedigree. On the inside, Alfie
is quite unsure and so stays firmly within his own small comfort zone.
It’s not always easy to live up to our own, or other people’s, expectations. Dear Alfie is afraid of almost everything in his life.
He finds it hard to walk past a cat, to play at the beach, to meet new friends… Alfie is easily intimidated and seems to be ruled by fear and worry.
Mostly, he finds (rather funny) reasons to not join in with other activities. But then one day, he behaves instinctively in a dangerous situation and, lo and behold, he saves a life and realises that he can indeed be bold and brave.
Alfie The Brave ventures into
territory that every young person will recognise in some way, shape or form. It
beautifully and succinctly highlights the idea that most of us have something
we’re afraid of. Without seeking to judge or change this, the story leaves us
with the sense that we are all okay.
The expressive
and totally adorable illustrations complement the narrative in an especially
wonderful way. We are shown Alfie’s changing emotional state artfully and with
great humour – the endpapers in particular, with Alfie scratching, Alfie
sniffing, Alfie sitting (you get the idea!) – are just sublime.
From Australian
of the Year Dr Richard ‘Harry’ Harris, a key member of the cave-diving team
that rescued the Wild Boar soccer team in Thaliand, and the multi-faceted
animator/illustrator Simon Howe, this book has an awful lot to recommend it.
A gorgeous book for people and dogs of every age, Alfie The Brave will certainly resonate with every child who knows what it is to feel less than bold.
Title: Alfie The Brave
Author: Richard Harris
Illustrator: Simon Howe
Publisher: Puffin, $19.99
Publication Date: 12 April 2022
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781761041358
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book
