Very Tricky, Alfie Atkins

Very Tricky, Alfie Atkins (Swedish: Aja baja, Alfons Åberg) is a 1973 children's book by Gunilla Bergström.^[1] Translated by Elisabeth Kallick Dyssegaard, it was published in English in 2005.^[2] As an episode of the animated TV series it originally aired over SVT on 4 January 1980.^[3]

Book cover

The book cover depicts Alfons Åberg, climbing out of the wooden helicopter in the jungle.

Plot

Alfons is 5 years old, and likes when his father plays with him. In the wardrobe is his father's toolbox but Alfons is not allowed to use it, because the saw can hurt him. Instead, Alfons uses to play with his cat Pussel.

Some days Alfons's father sits alone reading the newspaper and watches TV, not caring much for what Alfons does. When Alfons asks for the toolbox he is allowed to use it, if he watches out for the saw.

Alfons brings the toolbox and planks. His father reads and tells him not to use the saw. Alfons works with the tools and only the sound of the hammer is heard. Alfons builds a helicopter and imagines he travels over the jungle at night, under the Moonlight. Pussel has become a lion and runs right towards Alfons. Alfons yells he needs the saw and now his father sees what they've done. He now joins his son in the game. They pretend they travel away watching boats, cars, planes and clouds from the sky, before landing in the living room.

When the TV news begins, Alfons's father wants to watch. Alfons tricks his father he has gotten stuck between the planks and his father says he maybe needs to use the saw to break him free. Alfons tells him not to touch the saw and says he just imagined he was stuck. Alfons is happy that his father played with him.

References

• Aja baja, Alfons Åberg, Gunilla Bergström, Rabén & Sjögren, 1973