You're a Sly One, Alfie Atkins! facts for kids

You’re a Sly One, Alfie Atkins! (which is Listigt Alfons Åberg! in Swedish) is a fun children's book. It was written by Gunilla Bergström in 1977. The book was translated into English by Robert Swindells and came out in 1979. This story also became an episode of the Alfie Atkins animated TV series. It first showed on Swedish TV (SVT) on January 3, 1980.

What Happens in the Story?

Alfie Visits Grandma

Alfie, who is four years old, goes to visit his grandmother. His cousins, who are seven and nine, are also there. They have cool watches and can read. They think Alfie is too little to play their games.

Cookie Trouble

Grandma gives everyone some cookies. She suggests they play a card game in the living room. The cousins tell Alfie he cannot play. They say he is too young and will not understand the game.

Alfie is left alone in the kitchen. He feels a bit sad and left out. Then, he gets a clever idea. He uses a stool to reach the shelf where Grandma keeps the cookies. Alfie eats almost all the cookies, leaving only one.

A Sly Move from Alfie

When the card game finishes, the cousins call Alfie into the living room. They look at pictures with Grandma. After that, Grandma suggests they all have juice and more cookies. The cousins go to the kitchen to get the snacks ready.

They are shocked to find only one cookie left! They get very angry with Alfie. But Alfie makes himself look very small and innocent. He says he did not understand that he should not eat the cookies. He tells them he is too young to understand anything. He is using their own words against them!

The cousins then realize that Alfie is not as little as they thought. He understands more than they gave him credit for. After this, they invite Alfie to play with them. He showed them he was clever after all!