Alfie gets in first

Alfie gets in first captures a real-life situation that even younger children will be able to relate to. Alfie, his mum and younger sister arrive home after shopping. While his mum is carrying the groceries inside and getting his sister out of the stroller, Alfie runs inside and slams the door shut. Now inside the house while his mum and sister are outside, Alfie soon realises that he needs to come up with a good plan.

The story is a wonderful demonstration of cause and effect and the relationship between events. Who opened the door first? Where is his mum when Alfie slams the door shut? Where are the keys? Why is Alfie stuck inside and his mum outside? It is also a great starting point to explore the fundamental method of problem-solving – trial and error. What did Alfie do first to try to open the door? What did he do next? What else could he have done to open the door?