Shirley was born in West Kirby, near Liverpool, and studied fashion and dress design at Liverpool Art School, before continuing her studies at the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art in Oxford. She then embarked on a career as a freelance illustrator in London, where she still lives today. Shirley began to write and draw her own picture books when her children were young, and they include Dogger and the Alfie series. Shirley Hughes has won the Other Award, the Eleanor Farjeon Award, and the Kate Greenaway Medal for Illustration twice, for Dogger in 1977 and for Ella's Big Chance in 2003. In 2007 Dogger was voted the public's favourite Greenaway winner of all time. Shirley received an OBE in 1999 for services to Children's Literature.
Alfie (30 years old this year) and his friend Bernard are undimmed by time, as is his dowdy, bespectacled, adorable mum. An enchanting book to read and read -- Amanda Craig * The Times * This book celebrates 30 years of Alfie, with a glorious collection filled with two brand new Alfie stories * South Wales Evening Post * Two new stories about the much loved pre-schooler. Ages 3+ -- Frances Perkins * Bournemouth Daily Echo *