Author & Illustrator Profile
Shirley Hughes
19 Books
Shirley Hughes was an English writer and illustrator who created over fifty children's books during her long career. She is recognized for her heartwarming picture book series about a young boy named Alfie, which captures the everyday joys and small dramas of family life. Her distinctive, richly detailed artwork makes her characters and their neighborhoods instantly recognizable to readers. Through her realistic and empathetic portrayals of childhood, she connected with generations of young families.
Alfie is so excited to be the very first one home after a busy shopping trip with his mum and his baby sister, Annie Rose. In his rush to get inside, he runs ahead and accidentally slams the heavy front door completely shut behind him. The loud bang means he is stuck indoors all alone, while his family is stranded on the front doorstep without a key! Soon, the entire neighborhood notices the commotion. The milkman, the window cleaner, and the lady from next door all come running to help get the door open. While the adults stand outside trying to figure out how to rescue him, Alfie decides to come up with a clever plan of his own. This warm, relatable story perfectly captures the everyday adventures, minor mishaps, and strong community spirit found in family life.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
Get ready to celebrate the most exciting and magical time of the year with Alfie and his little sister, Annie Rose! There is so much to do before the big day finally arrives. You can join Alfie as he excitedly opens each door of his advent calendar, creates special handmade cards for his family, and helps carefully decorate the beautiful evergreen tree. He even writes a very important, thoughtful letter to Father Christmas and leaves out a snack. As the anticipation slowly builds throughout the house, everyone wonders what wonderful surprises will be waiting on Christmas morning. This festive, heartwarming tale beautifully captures the joy, busy preparations, and pure wonder of the holiday season for a young child.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
Step outside and explore the incredible wonders of the changing seasons alongside Katie and her lively little brother, Olly. Whether it is energetically splashing through muddy rain puddles, building towering sandcastles on a bright summer beach, or watching gentle snowflakes fall from a frosty sky, every single day holds a brand new outdoor adventure. You will feel the rushing wind, listen to the pattering rain, and discover the quiet, hidden beauty of nature right in your own neighborhood. Filled with cheerful, rhythmic poems, this exuberant collection celebrates the simple, everyday magic of playing outdoors in the sunshine, mist, and snow. It is a wonderful reminder of how exciting the world can be when you step out the front door.
6-8 Years
56 Pages
Dave takes his beloved stuffed brown dog, Dogger, absolutely everywhere he goes. They are the best of friends and share every adventure. But one terrible day, Dogger suddenly goes missing, and Dave is completely heartbroken. His family searches high and low, but the special toy is nowhere to be found. Then, while attending the bustling school summer fair, Dave is shocked to spot Dogger for sale at a busy toy stall! Before Dave can gather enough money to buy him back, another child purchases him and walks away. Now Dave must rely on the kindness of his big sister to help him win back his favorite toy. This gentle, comforting classic story reminds you of the deep, irreplaceable bond between a child and their most cherished companion.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
When Mum has to go out for the entire day, a nearly grown up teenager named George comes over to babysit Mick, Jenny, and their little baby sister, Sue. George is very responsible and tries his absolute best to keep everything neat, tidy, and perfectly organized around the house. But as George attempts to clean up and create order, the three children follow right behind him, creating lots of unexpected and hilarious chaos! From spilled food to scattered toys, nothing seems to go exactly according to plan. You will laugh out loud as the children try their hardest to be helpful, turning a regular, quiet afternoon into a messy, busy, and incredibly fun filled adventure for everyone involved.
6-8 Years
31 Pages
Mum and Dad have gone out for the evening, leaving Alfie and his little sister, Annie Rose, at home with their trusted babysitter, Maureen. Everything is perfectly quiet and peaceful until they suddenly hear a strange, steady dripping sound. To their shock, water starts leaking straight through the hallway ceiling! As the tiny drip quickly turns into a massive indoor downpour, Maureen has to rush and call her parents from across the street to help manage the bursting pipe. Amidst all the wet, chaotic splashing and rushing adults, it takes Alfie's careful attention to figure out exactly what is bothering a very upset Annie Rose. This is a wonderfully warm, relatable story about staying calm, being resourceful, and helping out your family when things go unexpectedly wrong.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
Step into the wonderful world of Alfie with this delightful treasury of everyday adventures. You will join Alfie and his best friend Bernard as they embark on an exciting day out full of unexpected surprises and a meeting with someone very important. From exploring secret outdoor dens to venturing out under beautiful snowy skies, there is always something fun happening in Alfie's lively neighborhood. You will even get to experience joyful birthday celebrations and a very special, slightly spooky nighttime trip. This beautifully illustrated collection brings together beloved tales of friendship, family bonds, and the imaginative little moments that make growing up so magical. It is the perfect compilation for anyone who loves sharing in the simple, heartwarming joys of childhood.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Alfie is absolutely thrilled to be invited to his best friend Bernard's birthday party, but he feels a little nervous about going all by himself for the first time. To help him feel brave, Alfie decides to bring his special comfort blanket along. When he arrives at the party, things are very loud and busy, and Bernard is acting a bit tricky and uncooperative. Soon, Alfie realizes that holding tightly onto his blanket makes it incredibly hard to join in the fun party games and eat the delicious snacks. When another young guest gets upset and needs some comforting, Alfie finally finds the courage to put his blanket down and become the most helpful friend there. This sweet story perfectly captures the challenges and triumphs of gaining independence.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
When Lenny's father goes away to fight in the Second World War, he gives his young son a very special brass badge. Engraved on it are two majestic animals: a lion to bring bravery and a unicorn to provide courage. Soon after his father leaves, Lenny is evacuated from his familiar home in London to escape the terrifying nightly bombings of the Blitz. Sent far away from his mother to live in a large, strange mansion in the English countryside, Lenny feels deeply homesick and incredibly alone. To make matters worse, he faces cruel teasing and bullying from the other local children. By holding tight to his precious badge, Lenny must find the inner strength to navigate his difficult new surroundings and discover hope in the darkest of times. This beautifully moving story highlights the quiet resilience of children and shows that true courage can be found when you least expect it.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
68 Pages
Alfie's kind neighbor, Mr. MacNally, is feeling incredibly sad because his beloved old cat, Smokey, has recently passed away. Since Mr. MacNally's birthday is coming up very soon, his family decides that a fun surprise party might be exactly what he needs to cheer up and smile again. There is a very special, top secret present involved in the celebration, and Alfie is given the incredibly important job of looking after it until the big day arrives. Keeping such a wonderful secret is quite a challenge for a little boy, but Alfie knows it will bring immense joy back to his neighbor's face. This touching, gentle story beautifully explores themes of love, loss, and the comforting happiness of new beginnings within a supportive community.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Step back in time to the dazzling fashion of the roaring twenties in this glamorous twist on a classic fairy tale. Ella loves helping her hardworking dressmaker father in his shop and sharing warm laughs with Buttons, the store's cheerful delivery boy. But when her father remarries, Ella is forced to work in the dreary basement while her cruel stepmother and vain stepsisters mock her shabby clothes. When an invitation arrives for a grand, elegant ball hosted by the Duke, Ella is strictly forbidden to go. With the help of a magical fairy godmother and a sparkling new attitude, Ella attends the ball in a stunning gown. However, amidst the jazz music and dancing, she soon discovers that true happiness might look very different than she originally planned. This enchanting retelling proves that you can take your happily ever after into your own hands.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
48 Pages
Explore the busy, cheerful world of a lively little girl and her sweet baby brother as they excitedly discover how different things can be. From the soothing warmth of the bathwater to the brisk chill of the outside air, every single day is filled with exciting new concepts to explore. You will follow along as the adventurous siblings play, learning all about varying sizes, fascinating shapes, and the loud or quiet sounds around them. This engaging, beautifully illustrated story perfectly demonstrates how every everyday object and action has a completely fascinating opposite. It is a playful, comforting, and highly relatable look at the simple daily routines that make up family life.
6-8 Years
24 Pages
Splish, splash, splosh! Alfie is incredibly proud of his brand new, shiny yellow boots. They are absolutely perfect for walking through deep, watery puddles and stamping in the thick, squishy mud. He is even more excited that he can put them on all by himself without any help from his mum. But as he stomps around the garden, he quickly notices that something about his new boots does not feel quite right. His feet keep turning outwards in a very funny, awkward way! Join Alfie as he cheerfully splashes through his outdoor adventure and tries to solve the silly mystery of his uncomfortable yellow boots. This delightful story perfectly captures the messy, wonderful triumphs of learning to do things on your own.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
There is absolutely nothing quite as magical as the holiday season, and Lucy and Tom are ready for all the festive fun! Join this sweet brother and sister duo as they joyfully prepare for the most special and exciting day of the entire year. You can follow along as they enthusiastically stir the sticky Christmas pudding, craft long, colorful paper chains, and help pick out the perfect evergreen tree for their living room. They even sit down together to write their very important letters to Father Christmas. From the bustling, happy preparations to the incredible thrill of waking up early on Christmas morning, this story perfectly captures the warmth, love, and eager anticipation of a classic family holiday.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Imagine if you could soar straight up into the sky! One determined little girl wants to fly more than anything else in the entire world. After a few failed and very unhappy attempts to get her feet off the ground, something completely magical finally happens. Suddenly, she is floating upward and sailing right over the bustling city! As she glides effortlessly through the air, she causes quite a spectacular commotion, with a huge crowd of alarmed grown ups and one very confused dog frantically chasing after her on the ground. This beautifully detailed, wordless adventure brilliantly invites you to use your own boundless imagination to tell the story of a childhood dream that finally takes flight.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Get ready for spectacular crashes, smashes, and plenty of bumpy, high speed action! Dixie and Percy are stepping completely out of their comfort zones and taking on the fast paced, whizzing world of bicycles. But navigating two wobbly wheels is not their only big challenge this time around. When a brand new friend suddenly arrives on the scene, it severely threatens to come between the dashing duo. Could there be serious, heartbreaking trouble in store for their long standing friendship? You will eagerly race along with these two daring heroes as they pedal through a busy week full of surprising twists, helpful maps, and high speed fun. It is a wonderfully entertaining ride from start to finish.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
128 Pages
In 1911 England, young Daisy Dobbs is sent far away from her mother and twin brothers to work as a hardworking scullery maid. Living in a grand, imposing house owned by two very strict ladies, Daisy works tirelessly to scrub the floors, wash heavy dishes, and peel endless piles of potatoes. She occasionally makes silly mistakes, like accidentally hanging bright red bloomers out the window for the entire neighborhood to see. Her only real escape from the drudgery is sneaking quiet moments to borrow fascinating books from the elegant parlor. But when a terrifying kitchen fire suddenly erupts, Daisy must quickly use her wits to protect the house. Her incredible bravery might just earn her the greatest, most life changing reward she could ever imagine.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
33 Pages
From the early moment the bright sun comes up to the sleepy time the stars finally appear, every single day is full of little adventures for Lucy and her younger brother, Tom. You can warmly follow this sweet preschool pair as they wake up, help their busy mother with simple household chores, and happily head off to school. After a long, busy morning, they return home for a comforting tea, enjoy a wonderfully splashy bath, and finally settle down for bedtime. This soothing and incredibly relatable story gently guides you through the familiar, comforting daily routines that make up a young child's life. It is a perfect, calming tale to share right before going to sleep.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
A new house can feel full of promise until you begin missing everything you left behind.
Molly’s family moves from a busy town street to a quieter place with fields and a garden. At first, the space seems exciting. There are plants to water, places to explore, and a whole new world just outside the door. But Molly soon feels lonely for the familiar sounds and faces of her old home.
Little by little, Molly starts to notice small treasures around her: secret corners, outdoor games, and signs that this new place may have room for her after all. When another family moves in next door, Molly’s world opens in a gentle, hopeful way. Shirley Hughes tells a warm, reassuring picture-book story about moving, missing home, and finding friendship in unfamiliar places.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
