The Jolly Postman or Other People’s Letters
by Allan Ahlberg, illustrated by Janet Ahlberg
Interest age: 5+
Reading age: 6+
Published by Penguin, 1999
About this book
In this much-loved rhyming tale, join the jolliest of postmen on his daily rounds as he delivers letters to the residents of a fairytale town. While the postman is treated to numerous cups of tea, children will be re-introduced to a host of favourite characters, from the great and good such as Cinderella and the Three Bears, to the not so nice Mr Wolf and the Wicked Witch.
As readers find out what the cast are all getting up to, they will delight in discovering the six pull-out pieces of post. Brilliantly designed with lots of little details to spot, this old favourite will be enjoyed time and time again.
About the author
What to read next
We know that children can get hooked on a favourite book series or author and struggle to find something they love as much, but we’re here to help.
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Janet and Allan Ahlberg created some utterly timeless books together, but if you've read all of their works, what should you try next? We've got some ideas and want your thoughts too...
More books like this
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The Jolly Christmas Postman
by Allan Ahlberg, illustrated by Janet Ahlberg
4 to 9 years
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Each Peach Pear Plum
by Allan Ahlberg, illustrated by Janet Ahlberg
0 to 7 years
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Funnybones
by Allan Ahlberg, illustrated by Janet Ahlberg
4 to 9 years
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Under The Table
by Allan Ahlberg, illustrated by Bruce Ingman
2 to 7 years
Lists of recommended reads
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Classics
Sometimes nothing beats a classic. Here's a list of classic picture books to share with your toddler or younger child, some of which you may have enjoyed when you were little.
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Books about people who help us, for age 0-5
Discovering people in our community who help us (and their exciting vehicles!) is a key part of children's early years. As their worlds broaden to people and things outside the home, so they learn how some people have jobs that keep us safe and well. These are some of our favourite books to engage and excite young children on this topic.
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Books featuring letters or diaries
Letters or diaries can be brilliantly purposeful ways to learn and practise reading and writing skills. There is a certain magic and excitement to writing a message and sending it out into the world, knowing that somebody somewhere will read it and respond to you. Letters can be as simple or as complex as your need demands, whether you are writing to wish someone a happy birthday, to invite people to an event, to your future self in the form of a diary or perhaps to persuade or inform with a more formal tone. The following books are for a mixed primary age-range and all feature letters or diaries in a variety of forms. We hope that they will help children to see the value in letter writing and maybe inspire them to write a few of their own!
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Our favourite books by Allan Ahlberg
Allan Ahlberg wrote over 150 books in his long career, shaping several generations' childhoods. He and his wife Janet created much-loved classics such as 'Peepo' and 'The Jolly Postman', which engage and delight children from the very first page. Here are some of our favourite books by him.