Alfie
(The Turtle That Disappeared)
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- USD 9.99
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- USD 9.99
Descripción editorial
Discover the friendship between a girl and her turtle—from both points of view—in Thyra Heder’s Alfie, anaward-winning picture book that celebrates the relationship between a child and a pet.
An ALA/ALSC Notable Children’s Book
Nia loves Alfie, her pet turtle. But he’s not very soft, he doesn’t do tricks, and he’s pretty quiet. Sometimes she forgets he’s even there—that is, until the night before her seventh birthday, when . . . Alfie disappears!
Where did he go? And why? Nia can’t say . . . but Alfie can. This is his story, and the narrative switches to Alfie’s perspective as the brave turtle goes on the hunt for the perfect gift for Nia’s birthday.
He explores the house, encountering the family dog, then ventures out onto the fire escape, down into the yard, and through a sandbox until he grows cold and tired. A friendly snail suggests that Alfie take a nap in the pond in the yard.
Young readers will see the passage of time through the change in seasons from fall to winter and then spring in colorful illustrations. Alfie wakes up from his nap and emerges from the pond in time to celebrate what Alfie believes is Nia’s seventh birthday. Readers will delight to see the two reunited and will notice that it is, actually, Nia’s eighth birthday, as the number indicates on her birthday balloon.
Parents and their children will embrace this warm, colorful, and funny picture book that celebrates friendship, even when the friends see the relationship—and the world—very differently.
“A charming story of the bond between child and pet.” ―Booklist
“Beautiful, expressive watercolor illustrations . . . A journey about what it means to be a child with a new pet.” ―Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Alfie is a pet turtle, and his new owner Nia, an African-American girl with braided hair and plenty of curiosity, tries hard to find ways to relate to him. "I taught him my wiggle dance and made him presents," she says, "but he didn't seem to notice." Nia's interest cools somewhat; then, on her seventh birthday, Alfie disappears. After a pause indicated by a spread with no text, the story resumes, now narrated by Alfie. It turns out that he's been paying more attention than anyone knew: "Nia taught me how to dance!" he explains. "She gave me presents! I had never been given presents." Hoping to find the perfect birthday gift for Nia, Alfie sets out on a shopping trip, and Heder's story really begins to shine as Alfie gets help from Toby (the family hound) and a snail in the backyard. Her watercolor spreads are carefully executed with few stylistic mannerisms; all the attention is directed toward the characters. It's a treat watching Alfie deliver Nia the perfect birthday present albeit a little late. Ages 4 8.
