Janet and Allan Ahlberg
Encyclopedia
Janet and Allan Ahlberg are the creators of many popular children's books, which regularly appear at the top of the 'most popular' lists for public libraries. Husband and wife, they worked together for 20 years until Janet died of cancer on 13 November 1994, aged 50. Allan wrote the books, and Janet illustrated them.
Allan Ahlberg was born as an illegitimate child in Croydon
, in 1938. He was adopted and brought up in Oldbury
in the Black Country
. He is a supporter of West Bromwich Albion F.C.
Janet (née Hall) was born in 1944 and brought up in Leicester
. They met whilst enrolled in a teacher training course at Sunderland Technical College
and married in 1969.
Their first three published books, in quick succession, were The Old Joke Book, The Vanishment of Thomas Tull and the popular Burglar Bill
. In 1978, Janet won the Kate Greenaway Medal
for illustrating Each Peach Pear Plum.
One of their most popular books, The Jolly Postman
, has sold over 6 million copies. Along with the sequels, The Jolly Pocket Postman and The Jolly Christmas Postman, it made innovative use of envelopes to include letters, cards, games and a tiny book.
It took 5 years to make, but after much discussion with the printers and publishers, The Jolly Postman
was published in 1986. It won many awards, including the Kate Greenaway Medal again, and the Kurt Maschler Award
.
Working together, they produced many popular books for a range of ages. Some, such as Peepo! and The Baby's Catalogue are aimed at babies and toddlers. For older children, they wrote books such as Burglar Bill, Cops and Robbers, Funnybones
and the Happy Families
series. Allan also wrote two books of verses, Heard it in the Playground and Please, Mrs Butler, which Janet illustrated, and more text-heavy books such as Woof!
.
Allan Ahlberg was born as an illegitimate child in Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
, in 1938. He was adopted and brought up in Oldbury
Oldbury
Oldbury may refer to:*Oldbury, Western Australia, a district south of Perth, Australia*Oldbury, Shropshire, a village near Bridgnorth, England, UK*Oldbury, South Gloucestershire, a village south of Bridgnorth, England, UK...
in the Black Country
Black Country
The Black Country is a loosely defined area of the English West Midlands conurbation, to the north and west of Birmingham, and to the south and east of Wolverhampton. During the industrial revolution in the 19th century this area had become one of the most intensely industrialised in the nation...
. He is a supporter of West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
Janet (née Hall) was born in 1944 and brought up in Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
. They met whilst enrolled in a teacher training course at Sunderland Technical College
University of Sunderland
The University of Sunderland is located in Sunderland, north east England. The university has more than 17,500 students, including 7,000-plus international students from some 70 countries....
and married in 1969.
Their first three published books, in quick succession, were The Old Joke Book, The Vanishment of Thomas Tull and the popular Burglar Bill
Burglar Bill
Burglar Bill was written in 1888 by Thomas Anstey Guthrie using the pseudonym F. Anstey, as a recitation. "Burglar Bill of Pentonville, etc."-Children's story:...
. In 1978, Janet won the Kate Greenaway Medal
Kate Greenaway Medal
The Kate Greenaway Medal was established in the United Kingdom in 1955 in honour of the children's illustrator, Kate Greenaway. The medal is given annually to an outstanding work of illustration in children's literature. It is awarded by Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals...
for illustrating Each Peach Pear Plum.
One of their most popular books, The Jolly Postman
The Jolly Postman
The Jolly Postman is an innovative children's book written and illustrated by Janet and Allan Ahlberg, which took five years to create and was published in 1986...
, has sold over 6 million copies. Along with the sequels, The Jolly Pocket Postman and The Jolly Christmas Postman, it made innovative use of envelopes to include letters, cards, games and a tiny book.
It took 5 years to make, but after much discussion with the printers and publishers, The Jolly Postman
The Jolly Postman
The Jolly Postman is an innovative children's book written and illustrated by Janet and Allan Ahlberg, which took five years to create and was published in 1986...
was published in 1986. It won many awards, including the Kate Greenaway Medal again, and the Kurt Maschler Award
Kurt Maschler Award
The Kurt Maschler Award was established in 1982 by Kurt Maschler, and was awarded annually until 1999 to honour "a work of imagination for children, in which text and illustration are integrated so that each enhances and balances the other."-History:...
.
Working together, they produced many popular books for a range of ages. Some, such as Peepo! and The Baby's Catalogue are aimed at babies and toddlers. For older children, they wrote books such as Burglar Bill, Cops and Robbers, Funnybones
Funnybones
Funnybones was a Welsh children's television series that was first aired in Welsh on S4C and in English on the BBC in 1992. It was based on the eponymous series of books by Janet and Allan Ahlberg which were illustrated by Andre Amstutz and focused on the adventures of a gang of skeletons...
and the Happy Families
Happy Families (books)
Happy Families is a series of children's books written by Allan Ahlberg, inspired by the traditional card game Happy Families. Ahlberg worked with a number of illustrators and the books were published by Puffin Books. The series form a transition for children between picture books and chapter books...
series. Allan also wrote two books of verses, Heard it in the Playground and Please, Mrs Butler, which Janet illustrated, and more text-heavy books such as Woof!
Woof!
Woof! is a Children's ITV television series produced by Central Independent Television about the adventures of a boy who turns into a dog. It was based on the book by Allan Ahlberg. It was directed by David Cobham. It was written by Richard Fegen and Andrew Norriss.-History:The show was first...
.