Allan Ahlberg was a teacher for ten years before he wrote his first book, The Brick Street Boys.

For that, and many subsequent prize-winning picture books such as The Baby's Catalogue, Peepo! and The Jolly Postman, Allan wrote the stories which his wife, Janet, illustrated. They worked closely together in a process Allan described once as "getting an idea and batting it around, like table tennis".

This perfect collaboration sadly came to an end when Janet died in 1994, but Allan has continued to write collections and picture books as well as novels and poetry, most of which is inspired by his years as a teacher.

Allan supports West Bromwich Albion football club.