Books & Literature

Book Review: Alfie the Brave, by Richard Harris, illustrated by Simon Howe

PICTURE BOOK: A delightful picture book about a dog called Alfie who longs to be bold and brave like other dogs.

A gentle, beautifully illustrated story about finding your courage when you really need it.
5

Dr Richard Harris is a name most people from Australia and Thailand, and in fact much of the world, will remember as one of the cave-diving team that rescued the boys’ soccer team in Thailand in 2018. He anaesthetised 12 young soccer players and their coach, which enabled them to be carried to safety before the cave system was totally flooded not long after. There is also a feature film due for release in April 2022 called Thirteen Lives, directed by Ron Howard, which was inspired by the rescue.

Harris has used his own dog, also called Alfie, and his experiences in Thailand, as inspiration to write this new picture book, Alfie the Brave.

Alfie is a dog who is loved unconditionally by his family but who is afraid of absolutely everything. He is afraid of noises at night, water, cows and even birds. Alfie has managed to get through life by pretending he can’t hear particular commands, by running away, or even by hiding.

But one day, without even thinking of the consequences, Alfie needs to step up to save someone he loves.

The stunning brightly coloured illustrations by Simon Howe perfectly match the text. They bring each page to life as we follow the lives of Alfie and his family. Alfie’s expressions are hilarious and we can also see and feel the love the family has for him on their faces.

Inside the front and back covers, there are lovely illustrations of Alfie which show his progression through the story. The bright blue front cover with a picture of a very scared Alfie looking at a mouse is enough to make a child want to pick up this well-written story and look further.

Harris wants us to know that being brave doesn’t always come naturally. Sometimes we just need to step up and do what needs to be done.

Alfie the Brave is a book worthy of being on any bookshelf. It would also be a fabulous resource for teachers to use in the classroomat the beginning of a school year, or at any time when children need to be brave.

Reviewed by Sue Mauger

This review is the opinion of the reviewer and not Glam Adelaide.

Distributed by: Penguin Books Australia
Released: April 2022
RRP: $19.99

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