Tell us a story

by Allan Ahlberg, Charles McNaughton (Illustrator)

Two boys who urged their father to tell them bedtime stories hear four very short and silly tales fo overeating animals

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 24, 1987

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

[Tracey Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throughly enjoyed by my daughter. She read to me and was able to follow the rhyming sentences. Great pictures that made us giggle. A great book for early readers.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little story with rhyming words, inside the dad tells lots of small imaginative stories about animals, perfect bedtime story!

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovee it!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was shared dozens of times when our kids were small. I still love it for the crazy humour, the great rhyming and flow and the representation of family, especially the dad, who becomes more and more defeated as his sons become increasingly exuberant in their desire for a decent story.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful in its simplicity.