Beloved Children’s Author Allan Ahlberg Dies at 87

The world of children’s literature mourns the loss of Allan Ahlberg, a celebrated author whose whimsical tales and rhythmic verse captured the imaginations of countless young readers.

A Legacy of Imagination

Allan Ahlberg, renowned for his collaborative spirit and imaginative storytelling, passed away at the age of 87. Alongside his wife, the acclaimed illustrator Janet Ahlberg, he brought to life a collection of cherished nursery classics. Books such as Burglar Bill, Peepo!, and Each Peach Pear Plum became household favorites, thanks to their vibrant characters and engaging narratives.

Following Janet Ahlberg‘s passing in 1994, Allan Ahlberg continued his prolific career, partnering with talented illustrators like Raymond Briggs and Bruce Ingman. He later found a creative full circle with his daughter, Jessica Ahlberg, with whom he produced titles like Half a Pig and inventive pop-up adaptations of classic tales.

Allan Ahlberg, writer of Burglar Bill and Each Peach Pear Plum, dies aged 87https://t.co/n1v5d0zL9D

— The Guardian (@TheGuardian) April 4, 2023

Belinda Ioni Rasmussen, CEO of Walker Books Group, remembered Ahlberg for his unique blend of playfulness and linguistic flair. He was enormously playful in spirit and language and had the ability to make you smile in one sentence,” Rasmussen stated. Allan inspired generations of children’s writers, inspired all of us who worked with him, and inspired artists to make some of their very best work.

From Humble Beginnings to Literary Heights

Born in 1938, Allan Ahlberg was adopted into a working-class family in Oldbury. He recalled a childhood with limited exposure to books but emphasized the love he received. My parents loved me and they did me a huge service saving me from growing up in a children’s home,” he shared with The Guardian in 2006. but there were a fair few clips round the ear, no books and not much conversation.

After completing his national service, Ahlberg held various jobs, including postman, plumber’s mate, and gravedigger. A turn of events led him to teaching, a path he initially found daunting due to his shyness. I didn’t think it was such a good idea,” Ahlberg reflected in 2011. I was very shy – I found it embarrassing to buy a bus ticket. However, he discovered a passion for education.

His life took a pivotal turn when he met Janet Hall at a teacher training college. After marrying in 1969, they settled near Leicester. When Janet, who was working as an illustrator, expressed dissatisfaction with her material, she asked Allan to write a story for her. This request proved transformative: It was as if she turned a key in my back and I was off.

The duo’s early publishing efforts faced rejections until 1976, when The Old Joke Book achieved success. The following year, The Vanishment of Thomas Tull and the iconic Burglar Bill cemented their presence in children’s literature. In 1978, Each Peach Pear Plum, a daisy-chain game of I-spy, garnered critical acclaim, with Janet Ahlberg receiving the Kate Greenaway medal for her illustrations.

Peepo!, a poignant exploration of a baby’s day during World War II, showcased Ahlberg‘s keen eye for detail and narrative suspense. He described the book’s interactive design as intentional: The secret was “all in the engineering”, Ahlberg told The Guardian. You have to turn the page in order to see something – it’s a whole string of little suspenses, almost like in a theatre.

Their daughter Jessica‘s interests inspired further collaborations, including The Baby’s Catalogue and the immensely popular The Jolly Postman. This intricately crafted book, featuring letters and cards delivered to fairytale characters, took five years to create and sold over six million copies worldwide.

Overcoming Adversity, Continuing to Create

The loss of Janet Ahlberg in 1994, at the age of 50, left Allan and their daughter deeply affected. He found solace and a path to recovery through writing a book in memory of his wife. Writing about something is distancing it … It distracted me for a whole year. And then I was on the road to recovery.

This period marked a new chapter, with Ahlberg finding a new publisher and marrying editor Vanessa Clarke. He resumed collaborations with illustrators such as Bruce Ingman and Raymond Briggs. In 2004, he and Jessica reunited for Half a Pig, followed by joint projects like the memoir The Bucket and a reimagining of Goldilocks.

Ahlberg continued to write diligently in his garden shed, describing his process as consistent. I’m like a dripping tap,” he confessed in 2011. As I get older I drip more slowly, but I still come down here. I’m less impatient to spend hour after hour writing, though I like it as much as ever. His dedication ensured his voice remained a gentle, enduring presence in the lives of young readers.