Mr Cosmo the Conjuror

Happy Families

by Allan Ahlberg

Comic stories for 6-8 year olds based on the card game of "Happy Families". This text features Mr Cosmo, the conjurer.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction

24 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Allan Ahlberg was one of the UK's most acclaimed and successful authors of children's books - including the best-selling Jolly Postman series. Born in Croydon in 1938, he was educated at Sunderland Technical College. Although he dreamed of becoming a writer since the age of twelve, his route to that goal was somewhat circuitous. Other jobs along the way included postman (not an especially jolly one, he recalls), gravedigger, plumber, and teacher.

Ahlberg wrote his first book when he was thirty-seven, after a decade of teaching - a profession that he maintains is "much harder" than being a writer. He says that if he hadn't become a writer, he would have loved to be a soccer player. He was married for many years to fellow children's author Janet Ahlberg, with whom he often worked. Their daughter, Jessica Ahlberg, is also a children's author.

Reviews

[Chris Morley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for newly independent readers. It is in between a picture book and a novel. The book has very good illustrations which enhance the story. There is a lot of repetition in the story which makes it easier for an early reader. There is a lot of speech in the story so it is great to get children used to using speech marks.

[Amy Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book works really well when using it for a newly independent reader. It is in between a picture book and a novel and includes a lot of repetition which would make it easier for an early reader. The book has amazing illustrations will help to enhance the story and understanding of the story. The plot is exciting and relatable as many young children love going to the circus. The book includes a lot of speech marks so can be used in a lesson to teach about how to use them.