- Janet and Allan Ahlberg
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. [http://www.booksellerworld.com/janetallan-ahlberg.htm Janet and Allan Ahlberg Bibliography of First Editions at Bookseller World ] ] Husband and wife, they worked together for 20 years until Janet died of cancer in 1994. [http://www.guardian.co.uk/family/story/0,,1804699,00.html Interview: Allan Ahlberg | Family | Guardian Unlimited ] ] Allan wrote the books, and Janet illustrated them.
Allan Ahlberg was born as an
illegitimate child inCroydon , in 1938. He was adopted and brought up inOldbury in theBlack Country . [http://www.penguin.co.uk/nf/Author/AuthorPage/0,,1000000334,00.html Allan Ahlberg - Penguin UK Authors - Penguin UK ] ] He is a supporter ofWest Bromwich Albion F.C. Janet (née Hall) was born in 1944 and brought up inLeicester . They 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 theKate 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 theKurt 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", "Funny Bones" 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! ".References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.