A Children's Classic (The Jolly Postman, Or Other People's Letters - Allan Ahlberg)

Member Name: Emmamac1

Product:	The Jolly Postman, Or Other People's Letters - Allan Ahlberg
Date:	03/08/09 (78 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Interactive and fun

Disadvantages: The pages can rip if heavy handed

The Jolly Postman is a children's book written in 1986 by Janet and Allan Ahlberg. The Ahlberg's have written many super children's books including 'Each, Peach, Pear Plum' and 'Funny Bones'. I have always enjoyed their book's, both for reading to a class and to my own children.

The Jolly Postman is an interactive book. All children between the ages of four and ten will love it. The story is written in a rhyming format, which is very popular with youngsters today, as they can finish the rhyme or chant it with you. The book features the main character, the Jolly Postman, and then many nursery characters, which the young reader can associate with, like the Three Bears, Wicked Witch and Cinderella. Each page has a main illustration and in the bottom corner a smaller illustration. The pictures are colourful and fun.

The special feature in The Jolly Postman, is that every other page has been made into a large envelope. The right hand page has the address and stamp, and when you turn the page the left hand page has the opening of the envelope. Inside is a letter of some sort! The children love this, and enjoy taking out the letter, which is all part of the story.

Now to the fabulous story. The Jolly Postman is on his bike, and has a letter for the Three Bears. The envelope is written in childish handwriting, and inside the envelope is an invite to Goldilocks party (plus an apology for eating their porridge). Next stop is the Wicked Witch, where the postman left his 'green tea', but delivered a mail order letter with offers on frog powder and sky high goggles for cats!

The book carries on in this way, with the Jolly Postman delivering a postcard from Jack to Mr V. Bigg (the Giant), a letter to H R H Cinderella (now married to Prince Charming), a solicitors letter to B.B. Wolf Esq who is illegally occupying Grandma's cottage and lastly a birthday card to Goldilocks.

The Jolly Postman is quite expensive at around £8.50, but it is hardback. It is a super book which my kids never tire of. You do need to look after it and supervise younger readers, as in the excitement of getting the letters out of the book/envelope they can rip the page. It is a children's classic, which is entertaining and jolly exciting!

Summary: A wonderful story full of familiar characters.