The Jolly Postman or Other People's Letters by Janet Ahlberg

Through activities such as, hot seating, children can then begin to test their knowledge of the characters and the stories connected to them, and then imagine how this story could be told differently.

By including pages shaped as envelopes, Janet and Allan Ahlberg have added the element of curiosity to this book, as it instantly becomes interactive, enabling children to delve into the envelopes to retrieve each letter.Įach character's letter has a connection with their traditional story and gives children a new and interesting concept of how traditional stories can be adapted and reconceptualized. With the use of narrative verse and illustrations, children are able to join the unnamed Postman on his journey, as he cycles to the houses of characters from traditional children's stories such as, The Three Little Bears and Cinderella, and delivers their letters. The Jolly Postman or Other People's Letters is the first book in a series of three written by Janet and Allan Ahlberg, which follows a Postman in his 'uniform of postal blue' on his morning deliveries and is perfect for an Early Years Foundation or Key Stage One classroom. All this amusing correspondence was deftly illustrated and the book attracted hordes of eager readers. Among the funny notes was one from Jack, who lolled on a sun-drenched island, thanking the Giant for the gold that let him afford such a nifty vacation. This wonderful book gave children a chance to read letters sent from one fairy tale or Mother Goose character to another. Open this book, take out the letters, each from its own envelope, and you-ll discover what well-known fairy-tale characters have written to each other.Īs the postage stamp says, this is 'first class' fun for children everywhere.įifteen years ago, long before anyone else thought of tucking actual letters and notes inside a book, Little Brown published The Jolly Postman by Allan and Janet Ahlberg. What could possibly be in the letter from Goldilocks to the Three Bears? There is a message for the Wicked Witch. The Jolly Postman has delivered the mail.

The Jolly Postman or Other People's Letters by Janet Ahlberg