Alfie: (The Turtle That Disappeared)

ISBN: 1419725297

Author: Heder, Thyra

Condition: Used

Discover the friendship between a girl and her turtle-from both points of view-in Thyra Heders Alfie, anaward-winning picture book that celebrates the relationship between a child and a pet.An ALA/ALSC Notable Childrens BookNia loves Alfie, her pet turtle. But hes not very soft, he doesnt do tricks, and hes pretty quiet. Sometimes she forgets hes even there-that is, until the night before her seventh birthday, when . . . Alfie disappears!Where did he go? And why? Nia cant say . . . but Alfie can. This is his story, and the narrative switches to Alfies perspective as the brave turtle goes on the hunt for the perfect gift for Nias 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 Nias seventh birthday. Readers will delight to see the two reunited and will notice that it is, actually, Nias 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. -BooklistBeautiful, expressive watercolor illustrations . . . A journey about what it means to be a child with a new pet. -Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)