The Jolly Postman books have been around for quite a while now, years infact, they have entertained many of children including myself. I remember being fasinated with the book, that it had lots of different things to keep me entertained and amused. I have two children of my own but at the ages 6 and 4, I feel that they are too young to really appercaite it at the moment, but when they are a little older, I cant wait to share this book with them.


The Jolly Postman is a children's book which was published in 1986, funnily enough the year before I was born although it was origionally written in 1981, I'm not too sure the reason in why it took so long to publish but, it defenatly was worth the wait, the book is amazimg, think its great that I still get excited about the book and im 24, think I am needing to get out more. (laughs)


The Jolly Postman And Other Peoples Letters as you guess it a jolly postman posting other peoples letters, luckily for us we get to be nosey and read these letters. (Coulndn't do this in the real world as we would have the police chapping on the door instead on the postman.) There are three books in total, this one that i am doing the review on, The Jolly Pocket Postman and The Jolly Christmas Postman. The aurthers of the books, Janet and Allan Ahlberg, (husband and wife) worked together to produce these wonderful stories written by Allan and illustrated by Janet. Unfortunatly Janet passed away in 1994, although her memory will live on through the fantastic book. .


I dont know if you have noticed, but some of the covers for the book are different? In more modern reprints the covers have been updated from the origional but inside the book, the story is still the same, so if you are looking for buy one, doesn't matter what one you choose as it will be exactly the same inside. What I will say is, like I say with everything, shop around, see if you can find a bargin, I suggest either play.com, ebay, or amazon.

The book is a hardback so ideally should last you a little longer than a paper back would, but be warned although we wouldn't rip the pages smaller hands can, especially as they get excited trying to find out what wonderful letters and peeople are on the next page. The envelopes and other contents are thicker paper and not so easily ripped, but suggest that you be careful just icase any acidents are to happen. The back has the same blue and pale yellow background with an illustration of an open book with all the mail flying out and the postman standing smiling.

As you read the book the illustrations are quite small, yet still lovely to look at with all the different characters. Apart from the wonderful letter that you get to take out the envelopes to read, the book is also written in rhyme which to be honest I enjoy reading more that non rhyme books and I think all children do, it captchures their attention more. Each of the letters and other contents are within a letter type page with the front holding the name and address with postmark and the back like the back of a standard envelope without the top opening part


At the start of every page it goes something like this: "Once Upon a bicycle, so they say, A Jolly Postman came one day, From over the hills and far away..." Although this is not giving you the full story (as I obviously dont want to ruien it for you) I just wanted to give you an idea, an inside look as it were, then it goes on to say who the postman met with a letter or other items that he is delivering. At the end of the busy postmans shift he ends his day a something little like this: 'Once upon a bicycle, so they say, A Jolly Postman came one day, From over the hills and far away, And went home in the evening - for tea!'


I really can not do the book justice with just a review but I hope I have been able to give you a good overall view of it. This really is a fantastically wonderful book with interactive envelopes and surprise at whats inside each one is fun for both child and adult, I have yet to find another book that is like this.

I would recomment this book to children all over the world, no child has to go without the enjoyment of a great reading experiance. I would rate the book 5 out of 5 and really cant wait to share this experiance with my two children. One thing I will say is shop around, as prices of tis book can be quite high in some stores and online shops ranging from £8 to £35. Here is to the book that has kept us entertained for years and more more to come.