Alfie was a fine-looking dog. His coat was sleek and shiny like an otter. He was the son of champions.
But Alfie didn’t feel like a champion. Alfie was scared of… everything! Could Alfie ever be bold and brave like other dogs?
This picture book is a sweet and sentimental story by Dr Richard ‘Harry’ Harris, SC OAM, who is an Australian anaesthetist and a key member of the cave-diving team that rescued the Wild Boar soccer team in Thailand. He and Craig Challen were jointly awarded 2019 Australian of the Year as a result of that rescue. And who better to write a story about being brave, a story that challenges our perception of what we think bravery means?
Alfie the Brave is a delightful picture book about a dog called Alfie who is a fine-looking Staffordshire bull terrier. His mother and father were grand champions, but with a curled tail and a left ear that keeps folding over, Alfie doesn’t feel like one himself. He doesn’t feel brave. While Alfie longs to be bold and brave like other dogs, he primarily struggles to embrace his own personality traits that make him who he is. But why blend in when you can stand out?
Alfie the Brave is all about the journey of learning to embrace your differences and stepping out of your comfort zone. It may have taken Alfie a little longer to find his bravery than the other dogs he admires, but in the end, we all have something special within us waiting to burst out. Alfie’s a champion in his own right, and his medal of bravery was just the cherry on top.
Recommended for children aged 0+, it is never too early to teach children that they don’t need to compare themselves to others in order to find who they are. Harris’ important and impactful message is complemented by Simon Howe’s talented illustrations that perfectly capture the emotional ups and downs of the adorable and expressive Alfie.
I think this picture book is a fantastic read for those starting pre-school or primary school, or to encourage young children of all ages to reach new milestones.
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