The Clothes Horse and Other Stories

by Janet Ahlberg, Allan Ahlberg

A collection of stories in which the literal interpretation of everyday expressions brings such surprising results as a horse made out of clothes and a train that delivers the night

32 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 1992

About the author

Janet Ahlberg (1944-1994) was a British children's book illustrator, and the co-creator, together with her husband Allan Ahlberg, of the best-selling Jolly Postman series. Born as Janet Hall in Yorkshire in 1944, she studied at Sunderland Technical College, where she met Ahlberg. The two married in 1969, and began to work together, publishing their first co-venture - The Old Joke Book - in 1976. She won the 1978 Kate Greenaway Medal from the British Library Association - an award recognizing the year's best children's book illustration by a British subject - for Each Peach Pear Plum.

Janet Ahlberg died of breast cancer in 1994, at the age of fifty, having produced many beloved and bestselling books. Her daughter with Allan Ahlberg - Jessica Ahlberg - is also a children's book creator.

Reviews

[Alastair · Rating 3 out of 5]

typically quirky stories from the Ahlbergs (although many feel rather dated and might not appeal to the modern child) with lots of fun and silly use of word play.

Five stars for “Life Savings”

[UWE Primary English Team · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan: The blurb of this book describes it as 'an undeniable treat' and I couldn't agree more! Made up of very short stories based on everyday expressions, each story is funny and well- conceived. It think they would make good read alouds but also would be excellent writing prompts, either following on from particular ones eg 'Jack Pot', rewiting your own versions eg Life Savings or just doing new ones of other everyday expressions. Thoroughly recommend!

[Padma Malini · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read for parents to kids.. like a bedtime story book...