ALFRED'S PARTY: A Collection of Picture Puzzles - Hardcover

PreSchool-Grade 2-In this companion volume to Alfred's Camera (Dutton, 1998), the absentminded pointer wakes up one morning wondering what important thing he has forgotten. Then he remembers that it is his birthday and decides to give a party. From a picture of a large jumble of paper clips and pencils, readers are asked to help him find his pen so that he can write invitations. Then he needs help finding his mixing bowl so that he can bake a cake, and readers must locate it among a large jumble of kitchen utensils. Covered with flour, he then needs help finding his bath brush among the rubber ducks, sponges, and toys in his bathroom. Finally, the guests arrive, and in the last picture, the dog needs help finding his presents amid the crumpled wrapping paper, ribbons, and so forth. In many of the puzzles, the objects are quite well hidden. The hand-tinted photos of the author's dog are very funny, and the inclusion of incongruous objects in each picture puzzle adds to the fun. Children who like humorous dog photos or visual puzzle books will find this effort enjoyable.
Anne Parker, Milton Public Library, MA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Alfred is a very forgetful dog. He wakes up one morning, remembers that it's his birthday, and realizes he's forgotten to plan a party. On each page of this funky, funny puzzle book, Alfred requires children's help finding things he needs to prepare for the party. The story moves along as Alfred writes invitations, bakes a cake, takes a bath and, finally, has a party with guests. The appealing illustrations are hand-tinted photographs, and every page showing Alfred or his doggie friends is sure to be a hit. The seek-and-find puzzles are challenging. A few don't quite work: children are supposed to locate a pen, without realizing that Alfred uses a fountain pen, an item that doesn't appear in too many grade schools. Still, this is a charming, intelligent book that children will enjoy revisiting. Marta Segal
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