‘One of Julia Eccleshare’s Stand-out Children’s Book of the Year 2012’
A brilliant book which is full of original stories all of which are variations on the familiar story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Each retelling becomes more and more outlandish and outrageous as Goldilocks breaks and enters into a lot of different kinds of homes and meets a lot of different characters. Every story is wittily illustrated with tabs to pull and flaps to lift and, in the middle of it all, there is a wonderful play version of the story which can be enjoyed on its own. Much, much more than a book; this is an entertainment that will delight everyone who comes across it.
Other titles from Julia Eccleshare's Stand-out Books for 2012 include...
Everyone knows what happened when Goldilocks met the three bears. But when she encounters a whopping thirty-three bears, a strange-talking Blim, or even three little pigs on her search for porridge, the stories end a bit differently.
A classic fairy tale is wittily retold in a variety of different ways with a new host of loveable characters by the celebrated Allan Ahlberg, with charming illustrations by his daughter, Jessica Ahlberg. Filled with pop-ups, aliens, flaps, talking furniture and tabs, the tale is retold again and again in a series of hilarious adventures, culminating in a book within the book which is a removable play of the story with its very own pop up. It's perfect for encouraging children to play and interact with the story and its variations themselves.
In his first novelty book since the much loved Jolly Postmanbooks, Allan's gentle, funny text offers a new way of looking at traditional fairy tales. Exquisitely illustrated and beautifully presented, this book would make a perfect gift to truly treasure. Children will love the unexpected twists to the traditional story.
As a child Allan was born in Croydon, but grew up in Oldbury in the Black Country. He says that if he hadn't grown up to be a writer, he would have loved to have been a soccer player.
As an adult Allan always dreamed of being a writer, but tried his hand at many other jobs before he achieved his ambition. He was a postman, grave-digger, plumber's mate and teacher - it was teaching that gave him such sharp insights into the minds of children, and enabled him to write his perfectly observed poetry about primary school life
As an artist Allan has collaborated with many illustrators, including Andre Amstutz, Gillian Tyler and Katharine McEwen, as well as his late wife, Janet Ahlberg (nee Hall) and his daughter Jessica Ahlberg. He has won numerous awards for his books including, the Kurt Maschler Award in 1986, The Children's Book Award in 1987, the Blue Peter Book Award 2001, and The Children's Book Award: Books for Young Children award 2002.
You can see Allan reading from Peepo! in this video:
