December 11th – Eleventh day of Advent
December 11, 2008
“Once upon a Christmas Eve
Just after it had snowed,
the Jolly Postman (him again!)
Came down the jolly road”
And in the bag upon his back
An ….. interesting load.
Thus begins The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg. This husband and wife team have created some of the most wonderful, beloved children’s books ever written. Allan was the writer and Janet the illustrator, until her death in 1994. The illustrations are delightful, full of references to fairy tales, nursery rhymes, folk tales, and every day family life. What I like best about the Jolly Postman books are the envelopes filled with surprises. After every page there is an envelope addressed to someone in the story, and the envelope has a Christmas card, a puzzle, a game, or a story tucked inside. Kids (like me) love opening these.
And the surprise inside:
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Oh, I miss The Jolly Postman (both the regular guy and the Christmas one)! I have to dig him up out of the box, still woefully behind on assembling my Christmas accoutrements around the house. Thanks for the reminder, and you are one of the few I know who’s even heard of him in the first place!
Greetings, Bellezza. Oh, this household adores the Ahlbergs. We started with Each, Peach, Pear, Plum, Peek-a-Boo, and The Jolly Postman. I buy them for every child’s birthday that comes along. The illustrations are so delicate, and I love the references they sneak in from fairy tales and nursery rhymes. Happy Holidays!!
Enchanting — I never heard of this one! Thanks!
Wonderful, wonderful team of writer and artist. I love all of their books. I really like the “Englishness” of them, too. Lots of fun.
has anyone got the solicitors letter regarding the 12 days of christmas? ta