Heard it in the Playground

Product Information

Janet Ahlberg (21 October 1944 – 13 November 1994), née Janet Hall, and Allan Ahlberg (born 5 June 1938) were a British married couple who created many children's books, including picture books that regularly appear at the top of "most popular" lists for public libraries. It was because Janet wanted to illustrate a book that Allan wrote his first book, the Brick Street boys. ISBN: 9780140328240 Author: Ahlberg, Allan Publisher: Puffin Publication Date: 1st August 1991 Imprint: Puffin Cover: Paperback Dewey: 821.

You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice.This illustrated collection of amusing poems and songs celebrating primary school life won the Signal Poetry Award in 1990. Many of his books were collaborations with his wife, Janet, an illustrator, and they quickly became one of Britain’s leading author/illustrator teams. This book is an essential item for any KS2 shelf, to have to hand for last minute assemblies, or for sharing some laughter during those ‘in-between’ moments of the school day. Meet daydreamer Billy McBone, be amazed by the Longest Kiss Contest, shed a tear for the Boy Without a Name and - if youre a stressed teacher - sing the Mrs Butler Blues!

Janet sadly died in 1994, but Allan has gone on to work with other illustrators and is still producing lots of new books. Meet Billy McBone and the Mad Professor's Daughter, be amazed by the Longest Kiss Contest, shed a tear for the Boy Without a Name and, if you're a stressed teacher sing the Mrs Butler Blues. I remember my mum (a primary school teacher) carrying a very battered copy of this in her bag to and from school.

Whether it is poems about something living in Harrison’s desk, the school boy’s love of kicking a ball, the dread of parents’ evening or the timeless questions “why must we go to school? Shed a tear for The Boy Without A Name, discover the secrets to teachers (they NEVER leave the school! We agree that ‘The Trial of Derek Drew’ will go down particularly well – I am looking forward to reading the children’s own poems for their trial transcripts! I remember the boys in my class turning the poem ‘Heard it in the Playground’ into a rap in the style of Vanilla Ice!

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 published over 100 children's books and, with his late wife Janet, created such award-winning picture books as EACH PEACH PEAR PLUM and THE JOLLY CHRISTMAS POSTMAN - both winners of the Greenaway Medal.