New Releases by Allan Ahlberg

"Read this book aloud so that youngsters can chime in. . . . Children will delight in this energetic, amusing, and very approachable tale." —School Library Journal Do you know what Jack and Jill were arguing about before they went up the hill? And what happened before that? Every story, every person, and every thing started somewhere. Author Allan Ahlberg and illustrator Bruce Ingman, the whimsical team behind The Runaway Dinner and The Pencil, reverse direction in this clever pastiche of fairy tales in which everyone lives happily ever . . . before.

Nothing is what it seems--and anything can happen--when the hilarious team of Allan Ahlberg and Bruce Ingman sneak a peek under the table. What do you do when you''re having an ordinary day, only to discover there''s a big gray elephant (named Nathaniel) under the table? Why, you get him to help you wash the car! And the kangaroo (named Abigail) that appears under that same table can help bring in groceries. But when there are penguins in the fridge, the forks and knives are running around, and the salt and ketchup are acting up, there is only one thing to do: pack everyone in the camper and go on vacation! With a wink and a nod, Allan Ahlberg and Bruce Ingman reunite for another wry, comical, zany adventure starring the family introduced in The Runaway Dinner and The Pencil.

The Bucket by Allan Ahlberg - the enthralling childhood story one of Britain''s best-loved children''s authors ''My mother, who was not my mother, I see her now, her raw red cleaner''s hands twisting away at her apron as she struggled to speak. Adoption was a shameful business then in many people''s eyes, the babies being mostly illegitimate. Better not speak of it.'' Allan Ahlberg was adopted as a baby. In 1938 he was picked up in London by his new mother and taken back to Oldbury in the Black Country. Now one of the most successful children''s book writers in the world, in The Bucket he describes an oddly enchanted childhood lived out in an industrial town during the 1940s, in conditions which today we might describe as ''deprived''. He writes of a father in overalls smelling of wood shavings and oil, of a tough and fiercely protective mother who cries when he discovers that he is adopted, of life assurance policies (''£6 if the child dies under age 3'') and fearsome bacon slicers, of half-remembered trips to his mother''s sister''s grave and to the bluebell woods. And of his first days at school: ''Allan could do much better. He is most inattentive and dreamy at times'' (school report, December 1946). Using a mix of prose and poetry, supported by new drawings by his daughter Jessica and old photographs, The Bucket retrieves a childhood which lovers of Ahlberg''s classic picturebooks The Baby''s Catalogue, Burglar Bill and Peepo! might feel they have glimpsed before but which are now exquisitely brought to life. This beautiful, exquisitely designed book, which will also appeal to fans of Gervase Phinn, Alan Bennett, Roald Dahl and Nigel Slater''s Toast, will be loved by generations of Ahlberg fans. ''Allan Ahlberg has a string of children''s classics to his name'' Nicolette Jones, Guardian Born in Croydon but brought up by his adopted parents in the Black Country town of Oldbury, Allan Ahlberg held jobs as a gravedigger, postman and plumber''s mate before becoming a teacher. He taught for ten years before collaborating with his wife Janet on a series of much-loved, now classic children''s picture books including Peepo!, Burglar Bill, Cops and Robbers, Each Peach Pear Plum, Woof!, Heard it in the Playground, Please Mrs Butler, The Boyhood of Burglar Bill, The Pencil, Friendly Matches, The Improbable Cat, Goldilocks, My Brother''s Ghost, The Mighty Slide, Collected Poems, The Boy, the Wolf, the Sheep and the Lettuce and The Ha Ha Bonk Book.

The story of a baby who is sad and sets off one day in search of a mummy. He meets a cat, a teddy, a clockwork hen and an uncle who all refuse to be his mummy but offer to help him in his search. They find a lady who has no baby and she agrees to bethe baby''s mummy. They all have tea together and uncle reads a story about a baby who had no daddy and this leads to another search until finally a daddy is found too!

Dinosaur Dreams is one of the titles in Allan Ahlberg''s iconic children''s picture book series about skeletons, Funnybones. Despite being set in a dark dark house, this brightly coloured book is perfect for early readers! The big skeleton and the little skeleton are being chased by dinosaurs . . . in their dreams! Luckily dogs can dream too - and save the day. ''There can be few families in the British Isles who do not possess at least one well-thumbed Ahlberg'' - Independent on Sunday Allan Ahlberg has published over 100 children''s books and with his late wife Janet, created such award-winning children''s picture books, including Peepo!, Each Peach Pear Plum and the Kate Greenaway Medal winning The Jolly Postman. Other titles in the Funnybones series include Funnybones, Mystery Tour, The Ghost Train, The Pet Shop, Bumps in the Night, The Black Cat, Skeleton Crew, Give the Dog a Bone and A Brilliant Bone Rattling Collection, all of which are available from Puffin.

Bumps in the Night is one of the titles in Allan Ahlberg''s iconic children''s picture book series about skeletons, Funnybones. Despite being set in a dark dark house, this brightly coloured book is perfect for early readers! No matter where they are, the two skeletons keep going bump in the night - clonk! There''s only one thing to do: "Send for Doctor Bones!" ''There can be few families in the British Isles who do not possess at least one well-thumbed Ahlberg'' - Independent on Sunday Allan Ahlberg has published over 100 children''s books and with his late wife Janet, created such award-winning children''s picture books, including Peepo!, Each Peach Pear Plum and the Kate Greenaway Medal winning The Jolly Postman. Other titles in the Funnybones series include Funnybones, Mystery Tour, The Ghost Train, The Pet Shop, The Black Cat, Dinosaur Dreams, Skeleton Crew, Give the Dog a Bone and A Brilliant Bone Rattling Collection, all of which are available from Puffin.

Once, many years ago, there was a baby, in his pram, with his sisters and their sandwiches and lemonade and toys . . . A lyrical and epic story about a baby and a trio of toys, and their adventure on the high seas. Beautifully told by master storyteller Allan Ahlberg and stunningly illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark in their first standalone picture-book collaboration.

Penguin presents Funny Bones: The Collection by Allan Ahlberg, read by Stephen Mangan. An audio collection of the perennially popular Funny Bones books by Allan Ahlberg Featuring: Funnybones, The Pet Shop, The Black Cat, Bumps in the Night, Give the Dog a Bone, Dinosaur Dreams, Skeleton Crew and Mystery Tour.

Bertie Bun was born to be a baker. His mum is a baker. His dad is a baker. Even his grandparents were bakers. But Bertie has a big problem - he''s bored of bread! He wants to be a butcher''s boy, or a bus-driver''s boy or even a balloonist''s boy - and his wishes are going to land him in lots of trouble ... Based on the classic ''Happy Families'' card game, this highly entertaining series is ideal for reading and sharing at home or at school. It is guided by the Education Adviser, Brian Thompson, and written by the award-winning author, Allan Ahlberg. ''The best thing to happen to beginner readers since Dr Seuss'' Children''s Rights Workshop.

Mrs Wobble LOVES her job as a waitress but, oh dear, there''s one big problem - she wobbles!! And when she wibbles and wobbles and drops jelly everywhere, it''s time for a new job! Luckily, Mr Wobble, and all the Wobble children have a cunning plan . . .

Daisy Dirt''s dad is a dustman on the dole, but her mum has remarried a Duke and is a filthy rich Duchess. Poor Daisy doesn''t know whether she''s coming or going, whether she''s rich or poor - until everything changes . . . Based on the classic ''Happy Families'' card game, this highly entertaining series is ideal for reading and sharing at home or at school. It is guided by the Education Adviser, Brian Thompson, and written by the award-winning author, Allan Ahlberg. ''The best thing to happen to beginner readers since Dr Seuss'' Children''s Rights Workshop.

Mrs Vole the Vet has one son, two daughters, three cats, four dogs and no husband. Really, she has everything she needs and she works very hard - no job is too big, too small or too high - but her children think that what she really needs is a boyfriend!

It''s Christmas Eve and the JOLLY POSTMAN is delivering greetings to various fairy-tale characters - there''s a card for Baby Bear, a game appropriately called ''Beware'' for Red Riding Hood from Mr Wolf, a get-well jigsaw for hospitalised Humpty Dumpty and three more surprise envelopes containing letters, cards, etc. Everyone''s favourite postman keeps on peddling his bicycle up hill and down dale . . . and into everybody''s hearts.

For anyone who can''t see a ball without wanting to kick it, head it, shoot it, or boot it! ''Not eating an ice-cream Or riding a bike No - kicking a ball Is what I like.'' ''What I like best, yes, most of all in my whole life is . . . kicking a ball. A wonderful rhyming story, with narration by Allan Ahlberg himself, Kicking A Ball will not disappoint. First written as a poem, the little boy in the story has been brought to life perfectly by artist Sebastien Braun. Every parent will be able to immediately relate to the simple joy felt by a boy simply kicking a ball, and how there is nothing else quite like it. The incomparable Allan Ahlberg takes us on a journey from childhood to fatherhood full of humour, warmth, friendship . . . and football.

From first day nerves to finding your peg, this reassuring read is full of humour and fun for children and parents alike. A classic picture book which offers advice and enjoyment for the whole family before school starts.

Who''s that creeping down the street? Who''s that climbing up the wall? Who''s that coming through the window? Who''s that? ... It''s Burglar Bill! Burglar Bill lives all by himself in a tall house full of stolen property. Every night (after eating his stolen fish and chips) he goes out to work... stealing things. From hats to baked beans, Burglar Bill will take anything! But one day, Burglar Bill steals something very unexpected indeed. And, it shows him that stealing has a cost! Discover the timeless tale that has delighted young readers for generations. The perfect bedtime story, Burglar Bill is packed with bright illustrations and easy-to-read text. Discover more Ahlberg classic children''s books: The Jolly Postman Cops and Robbers Funnybones Each Peach Pear Plum Peepo!

One morning Mr Gaskitt puts on all his clothes, Mrs Gaskitt picks up a robber in her taxi, Gus and Gloria have trouble with a teacher and Horace the cat goes to a friend''s house. But why does Mr Gaskitt put on all his clothes?

Peepo! is the much-loved picture book classic by Janet and Allan Ahlberg. Peepo! is a modern classic that continues to delight generations of babies and toddlers and their parents A perfect gift for new babies and parents, no home should be without a copy! Here''s a little baby One, two three Standing in his cot What does he see? Praise for Peepo! ''The best book ever published for babies'' - Books for Your Children ''Surely no one - baby, child or adult - could fail to enjoy Peepo!'' - Sunday Telegraph ''A book to last a lifetime . . . this is a perfect book for sharing'' - Nursery World Allan Ahlberg has published over 100 children''s books and with his late wife Janet, created many award-winning children''s picture books. The Baby''s Catalogue was inspired by their daughter, Jessica. The Ahlbergs'' books are nursery bookshelf standards and have been the recipient of worldwide acclaim and awards, including the Kate Greenaway Medal.

In this book with your little eye, take a look and play I spy - so starts the classic story from best-selling author/illustrator team, Janet and Allan Ahlberg. Each Peach Pear Plum introduces favourite fairy tale characters, such as Tom Thumb and The Three Bears and, with a poem on each page hinting as to what is hiding in the picture, children are encouraged to participate and follow the story themselves. Now available in digital format, this well-known favourite truly is a modern classic.

Nineteen playful poems by the creators of The Runaway Dinner and The Pencil feature a unique cast of babies, sausages and nursery rhyme characters who reflect the experience of being new to the world.

The creators of "Runaway Dinner" and "Previously" team up to imagine the comical world that comes to life when a lonely pencil starts to draw. Illustrations.

Allan Ahlberg''s five poetry books, written over a period of twenty-five years – Please Mrs Butler, Heard it in the Playground, Friendly Matches, The Mighty Slide and The Mysteries of Zigomar – have delighted generations of children and received many accolades and prizes. Allan has sifted through them and chosen a collection to delight and entrance a new generation of readers and their parents. Here are all the trials and tribulations of childhood, embracing school, quarrels, friendships, football and storytelling from a much-loved author and poet. Charlotte Voake''s black-and-white illustrations enchance the charm of this handsome and definitive collection.

Coronation Year, 1953, and in Oldbury a Coronation football competition is organized. The boys from the bottom pitch get a team up, but there''s no chance they''ll win, of course. They''re just the odds and sods – one of them is even a girl – but they''re all football crazy and ready and eager to beat off the opposition. A funny and moving story of football and friendship in a world when the streets were full of kids and empty of cars. Not only for boys – and girls – of 9+, there''s a real pull of nostalgia for adults as well. And, of course, for all lovers of football, whether on the pitch or in the park.

Catching a baby in his hat sets off a series of adventures for a young nineteenth-century English boy as he becomes a sea captain and finds a surprising mate.

Once more the Jolly Postman rides - and flies - and shrinks! The Jolly Postman is setting off on his third adventure. . . but nothing goes quite to plan when he suffers a bump to the head, and shrinks to the size of a postage stamp! And from then it just gets curiouser and curiouser. . . Featuring a whole host of familiar characters and of course, beautiful pull-out letters and a magnifying glass, The Jolly Pocket Postman is the third story in the bestselling and award-winning series by Janet and Alan Ahlberg.

A superb collection of football poems covering many aspects of the game. Written in a variety of verse forms - sonnets, rhyming couplets and more. As good as previous collections!

The three skeletons go out in their car one night in search of a mystery. They discover that lots of things look mysterious in the dark, including a black cat on a roof and a ghost on a train in a dark tunnel.

You may think you know the riddle of the boy, the wolf, the sheep and the lettuce, but this book will prove you wrong. Read Allan Ahlberg''s SHOCKING EXPOSE of the truth behind a story we think we all know, including: Wolf horror! Canoe shock! Fibbing! Exclusive Lettuce revelations! Moments of brilliant and unforgettable beauty! You''ll never think of boys, wolves, sheep, lettuces OR riddles in the same way again.

He felt a curious tingling in his hands and feet. He felt his nose becoming cold and wet, his ears becoming flappy. The thought in his mind was: ''I''m turning into a dog!'' Eric is a perfectly ordinary boy. Perfectly ordinary that is, until the night when, in fifteen seconds flat, he turns into a dog! Eric and his best friend are determined to sniff out the truth - what makes an ordinary boy go ''woof''?