Drinking before lunch time! (Jolly Postman or Other Peoples Letters - Allen Ahlberg)

Member Name: Gretta

Product:	Jolly Postman or Other Peoples Letters - Allen Ahlberg
Date:	06/04/01 (840 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Everything, that's why it's a 5*!

Disadvantages: Ummm, price, if you're being really picky. I got mine second hand for 30p, so look in jumble sales etc.

Even the title of this book makes my son laugh, as the concept of two words such as 'jolly' and 'postman' being linked together is rather odd if your father was once the grumpiest postman that ever existed. The Psychopathic Postman would probably have been a better title for a book about my little boy's first hand experience of postmen. Once we've stopped laughing at the idea that working six days a week, outside, in all weather, starting at 5am, having to cycle while carrying bags of mail etc. may make someone jolly, we can start my number one favourite book to read my sons.

This book is one of those fabulous classic's that is so exceptionally entertaining, ingenious, clever and humorous you know children will still be reading in 50 years time (even if they are sniggering at the 90's language). Ok, ok, enough praise, we don't even know what the concept is yet, get on with it, I hear you cry, so here goes…..

'Once upon a bicycle,
So they say,
A Jolly Postman came one day'

To deliver, it soon becomes apparent, a collection of the wittiest, sharpest most appropriate post that the inhabitants of the world of Mother Goose will ever receive (till the next Jolly Postman books, but more about that later..)

We start at the home of the three Bears, who receive a hand-written apology from one Miss Goldilocks, full of the kind of spelling mistakes that would make many a dooyooer squirm.

Obviously they haven't acquired word processors in this magical land yet, though they have come across the dreaded junk mail, as the Witch is the gleeful reader of a circular from Hobgoblin Supplies Ltd. The envelope informs us that this could be her 'lucky day' as there is a free 'witch watch' with every order. S'not fair, I want a witch watch, all I ever get offered are dodgy alarm clocks and toasters, or, if I'm really under a lucky star, a gold plated ret
ractable ball point pen. All together now, oooohhh.

Back to the plot (yes there is one here somewhere, so no sarcy comments please) … Mr V. Big, the Giant don't ya know, is next on the Postman's round, his delivery being a postcard from Jack, who is one holiday with 'me mum, and your hen what lays golden eggs. (It's better than Traveller's Cheques)'.

He then arrives at 'The Palace', where Prince Charming is still swanning around in his Hawaiian print shirt, fresh back from honeymoon. After a glass of bubbly, the Jolly Postman (who may now be jolly in two senses of the word) wobbles off to Grandma's Cottage.

Where 'Grandma', aka the wolf, reads a letter from Miss Riding-Hood's attorney, who states, "On a separate matter, we must inform you that The Three Little Pigs Ltd. are now firmly resolved to sue for damages. . .all this huffing and puffing will get you nowhere."

The Jolly Postman, who obviously doesn't work for Royal Mail, he has far too little work to do, has now just one letter to deliver, an 8th Birthday card, whose receiver, Goldilocks, is having a birthday party. Feeling tipsy now, as opposed to just jolly, from the effect of champagne and heat, while cycling, the postman joins in the fun, even wearing a party hat, which I personally think is a sure sign of drunkenness in the adult male. Then he's off home, presumably to the pub or the betting shop, which seems to be where all the postmen in Uxbridge congregate of an afternoon.

As you can see from the quotes, the book is written in rhyme. Some of it is slightly tenuous and stilted, but kids don't tend to notice that sort of thing. Also, younger kids who don't understand the story will still like the book, as listening to the rhythm of the language is very helpful in developing their linguistic skills. Generally though, the text is hilarious, and littered with little jokes and pu
ns, that may take a second (or even seventh or eighth!) read to notice. For example all of the envelopes are postmarked, from places such as 'east of the sun, west of the moon' and 'crooked mile'.

But wait, I haven't even mentioned the whole ingenious concept of the book, which is that every second page is an envelope, inside which is the actual post received! Each is beautifully, humorously designed, down to the last detail. The circular the witch receives, for example, really is a circle! Even the stamps are fun. You can imagine what children think of this, my son has loved taking them out and trying to loose them ever since he was a few months old. Also appeals to nosy adults like me, hence the alternate title, Other People's Letters.

The final magic touch to this book is the fabulous illustrations. The illustrations are reminiscent of Ernest H Shepard , although they have their own unique style. They sprawl across the pages, full of detail and humour, jokes hidden in every millimetre of the page. Some of the funniest moments are the pictures of the Jolly Postman stopping for a drink with each delivery.

And of course they are learning all the time. This book is ideal for encouraging reluctant thank you note writers! Also good for showing tiny ones how to put a letter together, address an envelope and do all that other English type stuff that is just plain boring without a book like this to cheer it up! We also like drawing maps of where all the characters may live.

Probably aimed at 4-7 year olds, but younger children would enjoy the sing song nature of the text, and older ones would find it quite a good first reading book, with it's large, clear text.

And best of all, once your child has desecrated this book, and lost all the letters (if you do loose any, you could get it out the library and make a home-made copy) there are two more out there to ruin!

In the Jolly Christmas Pos
tman The Ahlbergs take us on the Jolly Postman’s journey as he delivers Christmas cards, jigsaws, books and other surprises to the Big Bad Wolf, Humpty Dumpty, Robin Hood and Baby Bear. The Jolly Postman's Party follows a similar theme. Although just a spin off from the original concept both have smoother, more lyrical text, so are not your typical money-spinners, they really are worth a look in there own right.

This book comes in hard back, and you can also get a pocket sized version!

All in all, one you really need to beg or steal this book, but don't borrow, you'll want this for keeps!

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