Allan Ahlberg

As a child
Allan was born in Croydon, but grew up in Oldbury in the Black Country. He says that if he hadn't grown up to be a writer, he would have loved to have been a soccer player.

As an adult
Allan always dreamed of being a writer, but tried his hand at many other jobs before he achieved his ambition. He was a postman, grave-digger, plumber's mate and teacher - it was teaching that gave him such sharp insights into the minds of children, and enabled him to write his perfectly observed poetry about primary school life

As an artist
Allan has collaborated with many illustrators, including Andre Amstutz, Gillian Tyler and Katharine McEwen, as well as his late wife, Janet Ahlberg (nee Hall) and his daughter Jessica Ahlberg. He has won numerous awards for his books including, the Kurt Maschler Award in 1986, The Children's Book Award in 1987, the Blue Peter Book Award 2001, and The Children's Book Award: Books for Young Children award 2002.

You can see Allan reading from Peepo! in this video:

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Featured Books, with extracts by Allan Ahlberg

Everybody Was a Baby Once
Allan Ahlberg
Shortlisted for the CLPE Poetry Award 2011, which honours excellence in poetry written for children. Age 3+. A wonderful collection of the simplest and most joyous poems produced in a gorgeous picture book format. Nineteen delightful poems about everything from meeting...
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/09/2011
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Peepo! 30th Anniversary Edition Board Book
Allan Ahlberg
Celebrating 30 years since it was first published: A classic for all babies and their parents. Thirty years on, Janet and Allan Ahlberg’s brilliant Peepo! looks as fresh as ever. Fabulous illustrations, wonderful rhyming text with not a word out of...
Format: Hardback - Released: 07/04/2011
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Peepo! 30th Anniversary Edition
Allan Ahlberg
Celebrating 30 years since it was first published in this lavish slipcased edition: Fabulous illustrations, wonderful rhyming text with not a word out of place; this is a book that no nursery bookshelf can be without.  This sturdy hardback is guaranteed...
Format: Hardback - Released: 07/04/2011
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Peepo! 30th Anniversary Edition
Allan Ahlberg
Fabulous illustrations, wonderful rhyming text with not a word out of place; this is a book that no nursery bookshelf can be without.  This book is guaranteed to have huge appeal with babies and young toddlers. It’s definitely the kind...
Format: Paperback - Released: 07/04/2011
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Everybody Was a Baby Once
Allan Ahlberg
Shortlisted for the CLPE Poetry Award 2011, which honours excellence in poetry written for children. A wonderful collection of the simplest and most joyous poems produced in a gorgeous picture book format. Nineteen delightful poems about everything from meeting a witch...
Format: Hardback - Released: 05/04/2010
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The Pencil
Allan Ahlberg
Shortlisted for Roald Dahl's Funny Prize 2009. This book is an hilarious and unmissable treat! One day there is just a lonely pencil…It begins to draw – a boy, a dog, a cat and then a house and streets for them to...
Format: Paperback - Released: 07/09/2009
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The Pencil
Allan Ahlberg
Winner of the Younger Children category - Red House Book Award 2009. This book is an hilarious and unmissable treat! One day there is just a lonely pencil…It begins to draw – a boy, a dog, a cat and then...
Format: Hardback - Released: 01/09/2008
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Collected Poems
Allan Ahlberg
Age 8+ A treasure-trove of delights are gathered together in this wonderful anthology of some of Allan Ahlberg’s best-loved poems. Taken from the best selling collections, Please Mrs Butler, Heard it in the Playground, The Mighty Slide, Friendly Matches and...
Format: Hardback - Released: 05/06/2008
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The Boyhood Of Burglar Bill
Allan Ahlberg
Sixty-six boys, two footballs, two sets of shirts, one madman and a whistle – that’s the basis of the Malt Shovel Rovers. They’re a football team put together to try their luck in the Coronation football competition. A wonderful story...
Format: Paperback - Released: 06/03/2008
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Previously
Allan Ahlberg
An inventive, topsy turvy back-to-front story of fairytale characters and what they did… previously.  From Goldilocks and Cinderella to Jack and the Gingerbread Man you’ll find a treat instore from start to finish.  Both funny and touching no child or...
Format: Hardback - Released: 03/09/2007
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Please Mrs. Butler
Allan Ahlberg
This funny collection of poems for the 8-11 age group is all about one school. The verses cover such things as playtime, the school outing, the school nurse, French lessons, the three R's, nicknames, best friends - and a host of other topics...
Format: Paperback - Released: 06/03/2003
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Friendly Matches
Allan Ahlberg
A World Cup selection. A wonderful collection of poetry covering all the ups and downs of football.  Marvellous stuff from the author of those playground classics Heard it in the playground and Please Mrs Butler. Click here to...
Format: Paperback (b Format) - Released: 01/08/2002
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Funnybones
Allan Ahlberg
Three white-boned skeletons have a great night out when they set forth with the express intention to “frighten somebody”. Big skeleton, little skeleton and dog skeleton live in the dark, dark cellar of a dark, dark house on a dark,...
Format: Paperback - Released: 30/09/1999
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Each Peach Pear Plum (Board Book)
Allan Ahlberg
A delightful board book with simple rhyming text and engaging interactive pictures.  Children will be able to find characters that are mentioned in the text, such as Mother Hubbard and Cinderella. Wonderful detail in the illustrations provides endless entertainment in...
Format: Hardback - Released: 27/05/1999
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Peepo!
Allan Ahlberg
Fabulous illustrations, wonderful rhyming text with not a word out of place; this is a book that no nursery bookshelf can be without.  Guaranteed to have huge appeal with babies and young toddlers. It’s definitely the kind of book that...
Format: Board Book - Released: 29/05/1997
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Peepo!
Allan Ahlberg
Fabulous illustrations, wonderful rhyming text with not a word out of place; this is a book that no nursery bookshelf can be without.  This sturdy board book is guaranteed to have huge appeal with babies and young toddlers. It’s definitely...
Format: Hardback - Released: 29/05/1997
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Heard It In The Playground
Allan Ahlberg
Age 7+ This book is a classic and although life in the school playground is a little different now to what it was when it was first published this remains one of the best introductions to poetry for young children.
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/08/1991
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Blow Me Down!
Allan Ahlberg
Three perfectly worded and shaped stories make beginning reading fun and easy! The title story follows three burglars as they go about their business while giants and gorillas feature in the other two. Excellent illustrations match all three.   Perfect for Reluctant...
Format: Paperback - Released: 15/06/1990
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Peepo!
Allan Ahlberg
One of our 'Must Reads'. Fabulous illustrations, wonderful rhyming text with not a word out of place; this is a book that no nursery bookshelf can be without. Guaranteed to have huge appeal with babies and young toddlers. It’s definitely the...
Format: Paperback - Released: 31/03/1983
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