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Allan Ahlberg
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.
Heard it in the Playground
A second collection of poems with a strong school background, Heard it in the Playground entertains with wickedly accurate poems about such things as Parents Evenings and The Infants Doing an Assembly on Time. There's even a collection of songs - with instructions on how to sing them! (7+)
Published in Puffin Books
Friendly Matches
A fantastic collection of poems about every aspect of football. There's The Song of the Sub, a heartrending lament for the fate of the one who is left on the bench; My Favourite Goal (a West Bromwich Albion one, naturally!); as well as a ballad celebrating The Goals of Bingo Boot. Written in many different poetic forms, Friendly Matches celebrates Allan Ahlberg's own love of the game. (9+)
Published in Viking
My Brother's Ghost
Without embellishment, Frances tells the story of her brother's death and how his ghost lived on, playing an important role in her life. Simply told, it gives a vivid picture of childhood in the 1950s, while dealing with themes that are timeless. (9+)
Published in Puffin Books
Woof!
Eric is a perfectly ordinary boy. At least, he thought he was until the day he wakes up in bed and finds that he's turned into a dog. Eric's adventures in - and out - of his doggy form make hilarious reading, especially as he and his best friend Roy try to work out exactly why it keeps happening! (9+)
Published in Puffin Books
Please Mrs Butler
This classic collection of school poems captures all the details of playground and classroom life. Allan Ahlberg has a precise ear for the witty dialogue between children, and for their observations of all the injustices of school. (7+)
Published in Puffin Books
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[ Windows Media Clip 1- 'Picking Teams'from Please Mrs Butler ]
[ Windows Media Clip 2- I like to write stories and poems ]
[ Windows Media Clip 3- I liked fishing in the park pond ]
[ Windows Media Clip 4- I always turned my essays into stories ]
