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Allan Ahlberg has died

(27 Posts)
Casdon Thu 31-Jul-25 19:43:17

I just read this, aged 87. He was one of the stalwarts of my children’s home library, and my little granddaughter and I were only enjoying reading Each Peach Pear Plum last week. Both my two frequently read The Jolly Postman too, they loved opening up the messages. RIP Allan, you brought a lot of joy to children.

Ilovecheese Thu 31-Jul-25 19:47:02

We have bought his books for our grandchildren, they are lovely

Magenta8 Thu 31-Jul-25 19:55:47

My DCs loved his Funny Bones and Happy Families series. We also had some of his early books like Each Peach Pear Plum and The Baby's Catalogue which had lovely illustrations by Janet, his first wife, who died young. Excellent books.

Mollygo Thu 31-Jul-25 20:36:59

RIP Allan Ahlberg.
The class loved your books and your poems, especially Dog in the Playground.

kittylester Thu 31-Jul-25 21:48:11

Burglar Bill was our favourite - though pronounced Boggler Bill by DS2.

RIP Allan and thank you.

lixy Thu 31-Jul-25 21:54:19

I’m sad to learn this. Allan Ahlberg’s books have been favourites for years, with children and now grandchildren as well as with school classes. The gentle humour is just right.
RIP Allan

MayBee70 Thu 31-Jul-25 22:12:21

Magenta8

My DCs loved his Funny Bones and Happy Families series. We also had some of his early books like Each Peach Pear Plum and The Baby's Catalogue which had lovely illustrations by Janet, his first wife, who died young. Excellent books.

It saddened me that his wife died at such a young age; they brought so much joy to people. I love the pictures in their books. Peepo is my favourite and me and the kids used to recite Each Peach Pear Plum.

Clawdy Thu 31-Jul-25 22:16:59

He wrote a very good book for older children "My Brother's Ghost". I used to read it to Year 6 children, and they all loved it, it was sad but uplifting. An amazing writer.

REKA Thu 31-Jul-25 22:20:38

The Jolly Christmas Postman is a firm favourite of my children and now my grandchildren.

Lovely books

Chocolatelovinggran Thu 31-Jul-25 23:19:27

Lovely books, all of them. I can recite many by heart, after years as a mum, a teacher, and, now, a grandmother.
They lived near to me years ago, and I always point out the house to children.

keepingquiet Thu 31-Jul-25 23:49:59

I just saw this too- lovely books a part of my kid's childhoods. He had more genuine impact than that other person that died and I'm sick of hearing about...

Ziggy62 Fri 01-Aug-25 07:47:20

As a nursery nurse I read his books many times
Each peach pear plum is a real favourite

Clawdy Fri 01-Aug-25 08:21:28

"Please Mrs Butler" - lovely funny poems about school life.

Athrawes Fri 01-Aug-25 10:09:44

His books were - and still are - really good and were also favourites of my family. It's sad he's died but he's left wonderful books that encourage reading so he won't be forgotten.

Uschi Fri 01-Aug-25 13:50:49

The Ahlberg's books were a delight for my children and me. We read them many times and I still have some dog-eared copies which hold precious memories. They were brilliant in terms of their illustrations and story telling so that they engaged the imagination and fostered a love of reading. Janet and Allan did a great deal of good in the world and have left a lasting legacy. Bless them.

Oreo Fri 01-Aug-25 14:32:34

kittylester

Burglar Bill was our favourite - though pronounced Boggler Bill by DS2.

RIP Allan and thank you.

😆
Burglar Bill was a good one wasn’t it? That’s a nice tin ‘o beans I’ll ‘ave that.

Oreo Fri 01-Aug-25 14:33:47

Athrawes

His books were - and still are - really good and were also favourites of my family. It's sad he's died but he's left wonderful books that encourage reading so he won't be forgotten.

That’s it, a lovely legacy.

Susieq62 Fri 01-Aug-25 14:43:27

Peepo is my favourite of all his books. Such a tal3nt!

GrandmasueUK Fri 01-Aug-25 14:54:21

So sorry to hear of this. Books by Janet and Allan Ahlberg were such a big part of my children’s early years. We went through several copies of The Baby’s Catalogue, they were worn out through constant reading. I got more copies for my grandsons and The Jolly Postman and other Postmen books were also favourites.

Applegran Fri 01-Aug-25 15:24:50

Lovely books and by the sound of it he was a lovely man. He and his wife have left a wonderful legacy for the rest of us and our children and grandchildren.

Applegran Fri 01-Aug-25 15:26:10

I bought my children 'Please Mrs Butler' when they were young and said I'd just read them two or three poems for now .......I read them the whole book!

Albangirl14 Fri 01-Aug-25 20:42:41

I was fortunate to meet him and his first wife at Chidren,s Book Conferences they were lovely people and I still have my signed books

Primrose53 Fri 01-Aug-25 21:52:22

I met both the Ahlbergs at a party many years ago. Very nice to chat to. We kept all their books.

Allira Fri 01-Aug-25 22:09:29

kittylester

Burglar Bill was our favourite - though pronounced Boggler Bill by DS2.

RIP Allan and thank you.

Ours too, I think
(Not sure what that says about our respective families?)

RIP the very talented Allan Ahlberg

Catterygirl Fri 01-Aug-25 23:14:11

I haven’t heard of him personally but he seems to have been a well loved man.