I didn't quite get into the character here but it might appeal to readers of Wimpy Kid style books. I appreciate that it's illustrated since lots of kids really like to see some pictures even in chapter books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Matador for the opportunity to review this advanced copy. The main character, Alfred, is likable and relatable, however, I'm not sure that the recommended age group will find this book engaging or funny. The problems and mysteries are presented in a stilted, heavily-descriptive manner which reminded me of nothing so much as a class discussion question. Feeling as if the book you are reading for fun is trying to make you do homework is not very pleasant. Perhaps this struck me since I can think of many other books which do very well what this book is trying to do: present educational concepts and information in an engaging and readable way. A 7-10 year old may not identify what the book is trying to do, but I don't think they would find it interesting enough to read for fun. However, I can see it being a good discussion book for a school classroom.

Alfred is 10, and he is a Thinker. Told in first-person narration to the reader, this book is a collection of short stories detailing, in the rambling way kids talk, the everyday antics that matter most to kids.
Thks would be a great classroom resource for middle-late primary school, as each story has *thinking boxes" and discussion prompts woven throughout the narrative.

*Many thanks to Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

What a fun book for children. My daughter really enjoyed this one with me.

It really gives you food for thought and it's not your average book. It was funny and silly sometimes, but knowledgeable.

I loved this book. From the illustrations, the story and I especially loved the thinking boxes. Alfred was a great, likable main character. This would
even be a good book for kids who are struggling to enjoy reading.

This is such a good story! Alfred was a very relatable character and so fun to read about! It was a captivating story from start to finish and made you feel glued to the pages. This is a must read!

A book to make you think!

It appealed to me as I have a 10 year old Alfred in the family, who is also a great thinker and an old head on young shoulders.

However, this is clearly written by a teacher with a classroom discussion agenda. It’s not really a book that will appeal for fun-time reading. The tales of Alfred’s life are interspersed with “thinking boxes” and the overall message is that by sharing your thoughts you may have to defend them but you can develop them.

A very positive book and a sweet story, with lots to challenge the readers thinking, and facts integrated to build the readers knowledge subtly.

Rounded down to 3* from 3.5 as the illustrations seem to depict adults not children.

Around the age of 10, children are about to go through many changes in almost every aspect of life. Alfred is getting closer and closer to the teenage years. Through the experiences he tells within the novel we notice that he matures not only physically but also emotionally, and he begins to live more and more intensely the feeling of his own personality and of the role he has in the world.
At the age of 10 we can expect our children to have more control over their own emotions and we can also notice how they become much more adept at resolving conflicts and negotiating various situations with their friends. But at the same time, we will be amazed at how volatile their emotions become. Alfred can make very fast a new best friend – a girl – in the same time he appreciates and loves how his mom is showing her love for him and his brother through a silly song.
This is primarily due to hormonal changes that are specific to the onset of puberty. Changes of state can instantly change the happiest child in the world into a very apathetic or dreamy one.
As a 10-year-old child, Alfred is also a child but who begins to face more and more often difficult situations reserved for adults: more effort to learn, many responsibilities related to school and homework, socializing with friends and the need for acceptance , frequent and misunderstood emotional changes, the expectations of others who sometimes consider a child and sometimes an adult, etc.
A very nice and lovely book.