The literary world mourns the passing of Allan Ahlberg, aged 87, a prolific and beloved author whose remarkable versatility spanned fiction, poetry, picture books, and fairy tales. Best known for enchanting millions with classics like Each Peach Pear Plum and The Jolly Postman, Ahlberg, often in collaboration with his late illustrator wife Janet, profoundly shaped children’s literature with his unique ability to capture a child’s authentic outlook.
Their enduring writer-illustrator partnership blossomed after Allan, a primary school teacher, was asked by Janet to write a story for her to illustrate. This pivotal moment, described by Allan as if ‘she had turned the key’ on a clockwork toy, led to their first joint publication, Here Are the Brick Street Boys in 1975. This marked the beginning of one of the most successful and cherished creative collaborations in modern picture books.
The Ahlbergs shared an extraordinary intimacy that permeated their professional lives, forging a dynamic synergy between words and images. Their shared, gentle, and quirky sense of humour, combined with an unparalleled ability to perceive the world through innocent eyes, became a hallmark of their work. The birth of their daughter, Jessica, in 1980 further fueled their creative process, inspiring memorable volumes such as The Baby’s Catalogue, a testament to their simple yet brilliant ideas.
Among their celebrated works, Each Peach Pear Plum (1978) stands as a paradigm of the perfect picturebook, earning them their first Kate Greenaway medal for its engaging “I spy” game and clever rhymes. Peepo! (1981) ingeniously elevated the traditional peek-a-boo game by incorporating a literal hole throughout the book, set against fascinating World War II details, a poignant reflection of Allan’s own impoverished Black Country childhood, which he later explored in The Bucket.
However, it was The Jolly Postman (1986) and its subsequent series that truly solidified the Ahlbergs’ literary legacy as a masterpiece and their greatest commercial triumph, selling over 6 million copies worldwide. This groundbreaking work earned them a second Kate Greenaway medal and the Emil/Kurt Maschler award, mesmerising readers and critics alike with its unprecedented originality and transforming the very aspirations of what picture books could achieve.
The Postman series was revolutionary in its sophisticated paper engineering and imaginative “props,” demanding active physical interaction and drawing upon children’s knowledge of traditional nursery tales and fairy tales. It masterfully integrated an inventive range of text-types, from letters and postcards to tiny books and newspapers, enabling young audiences to not only delight in the story but also implicitly engage with the wider societal culture, showcasing Ahlberg’s deep understanding gleaned from his years as a primary school teacher.
Beyond their celebrated picture books, Allan Ahlberg also distinguished himself as a poet, notably with his popular collection Please Mrs Butler (1983), which vividly captured the viewpoint of a benevolent teacher. His personal journey, from being adopted into a working-class family in Oldbury to initially pursuing a football career before meeting Janet Hall at teacher training college, provides a rich backdrop to his literary contributions as a prominent British author.
Allan was profoundly affected by Janet’s passing in 1994, finding solace in compiling Janet’s Last Book as a private tribute to her work. His later years saw continued collaborations, including with his daughter Jessica. A principled individual, Ahlberg notably declined the Booktrust lifetime achievement award in 2014 due to its Amazon sponsorship, prompting fellow authors and illustrators to create an alternative compilation of tributes, showcasing the profound respect he commanded within the literary community.
Survived by his second wife, Vanessa Clarke, and his daughters, Allan Ahlberg leaves behind an indelible mark on children’s literature, a testament to his extraordinary talent, his deep understanding of childhood, and the enduring power of his creative collaborations. His works continue to inspire, entertain, and educate new generations, cementing his place as a true icon of children’s publishing.
