Allan Ahlberg
Allan Ahlberg, a former teacher, postman, plumber's mate and grave digger, is in the super-league of children's writers. He has published over 100 children's books and, with his late wife Janet, created such award winning picture books as Each Peach Pear Plum and The Jolly Postman - both winners of the Kate Greenaway Medal. He has also written prize-winning poetry and fiction and lives in Sussex.
Books
Friendly Matches
Author: Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Fritz Wegner
Publisher: Penguin
Interest age: 6-9
Reading age: 6+
Friendly Matches is an entertaining, and at times thought-provoking, collection of poetry about football.
Mr Biff the Boxer
Author: Allan Ahlberg
Illustrator: Janet Ahlberg
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 4+
Reading age: 6+
The Ahlbergs' funny and classic Happy Families story is now available in a larger format and is ideal for newly independent readers
Starting School
Author: Allan Ahlberg and Janet Ahlberg
Publisher: Penguin
Interest age: 3-5
Reading age: 3+
Starting School by Janet and Allan Ahlberg is an enchanting picture book for reassuring children who are about to start school for the very first time.
The Boyhood of Burglar Bill
Author: Allan Ahlberg
Publisher: Penguin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+
It is 1953, and in Oldbury Town there is to be a football competition. Rood End Primary enters its two best teams, but there are a few others who want to make their mark too.
The Children who Smelled a Rat
Author: Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Katharine McEwen
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 6-7
Reading age: 7+
Ahlberg and McEwen's fourth fast, funny and improbable story about the Gaskitt family is as ingenious as its predecessors.
The Jolly Christmas Postman
Author: Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Janet Ahlberg
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 5+
Reading age: 6+
Follow our favourite jolly postman as he delivers Christmas cards and gifts to fairytale folk
The Man Who Wore All His Clothes
Author: Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Katherine McEwan
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+
Mr Gaskitt works as Father Christmas in a department store, his wife is a taxi driver and Horace, their cat, loves spending much of his time watching sad old movies on TV.
The Pencil
Author: Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Bruce Ingman
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 4+
Reading age: 6+
In this metafictional tale, a pencil discovers its creative powers, at first tentatively drawing a boy, then more confidently providing him with what he asks for; a dog, then a cat.
The Runaway Dinner
Author: Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Bruce Ingman
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 5+
Reading age: 7+
Banjo sits down to eat his dinner of sausage, vegetables and fries, but before he can begin, his dinner runs away, along with the knife, fork, plate and his table and chair.
The Woman Who Won Things
Author: Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Katharine McEwen
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 6+
Reading age: 7+
When Mrs Gaskitt hits a winning streak, she starts to receive prizes - large and small - non-stop, and begins to long for her old, less lucky self.