Allan Ahlberg, celebrated children’s author, dies aged 87

Famous children’s writer Allan Ahlberg died at the age of 87, publisher Penguin Random House confirmed.

Jolly Postman wrote 150 books on a career that lasted more than twenty years, including Funny Bones and Peepo! And every award -winning peach pear plum.

Most of his most well -known works were the result of cooperation with his wife Janet, a prize -winning illustrator. They continued to sell millions of copies worldwide.

Michael Rosen, the author of the children, described Ahlberg as the “pioneer of older children’s literature”.

In a tribute on the X, he said: “You have become the pioneer of the older children’s literature both in picture books and poetry.

“Clever, funny and wise. My children loved their books. I am and so are me.”

“Allan was one of the most extraordinary writers I’ve enjoyed to work with Francesca Dow, President of Children’s Literature at Penguin Random House.

“Many of the late wife Janet, the bright books created with an extremely talented illustrator were described as ‘mini masterpieces’.

“Allan, some of the best classics to be loved by children and families for the coming years. Dear Allan, we will all miss you very much.”

Ahlberg survived by his wife Vanessa, daughter Jessica and her stepmother Saskia and Johanna.

He was born in Croydon in 1938, raised by his adopted parents in Oldbury, and worked as a postman, plumber and graveman before training to become a teacher at Sunderland Teacher Education College, where he met his first wife Janet.

In 1975, Ahlbergs published his first books together, here are the kids of the brick street.

This was rapidly followed by every peach Plum, where the old joke book Burglar Burglar Bill and Janet were given the Kate Greenaway medal for illustrators in 1978.

Jolly Postman, released in 1991, won the Kurt Maschler Award and sold more than six million copies.

The second of the series, Jolly Christmas Postman (1991) won a second Kate Greenaway medal.