British children's author Allan Ahlberg dies at 87

Allan Ahlberg, author of more than 150 children's books including classics such as "Eat Peach Pear Plum" and "The Jolly Postman", has died at the age of 87, said his publisher on Friday. Penguin Random House said that the author died on Tuesday, though it did not share a cause of death.Ahlberg introduced generations of children to reading through his books that included simple rhymes, sharp observation and gentle humour. Many of his works were co-created with his illustrator wife Janet Ahlberg, who died in 1994.Born in 1938 and raised by adoptive parents in a working-class home in Oldbury, central England, he worked as a "postman, plumber's mate and grave digger," according to his publisher, before becoming a teacher. He met his wife at a teacher training college, and their first book, "Here are the Brick Street Boys," was published in 1975.Then in 1977 came "Burglar Bill" about a burglar who steals a baby, and "Eat Peach Pear Plum" in 1978 with varied intricately-drawn nursery rhyme characters. The book won his wife the Kate Greenaway Medal for illustration, one of the most prestigious awards in children's publishing. "The Jolly Christmas Postman" in 1991 got the same prize and incorporated postcards and letters in envelopes for children to engage with while the latter-carrier delivering mail to fairy tale characters.Ahlberg also wrote books of jokes, including "The Ha Ha Bonk Book", and poetry for primary school-age children, such as "Please Mrs. Butler" and "Heard it in the Playground."For adults, he wrote two autobiographies: “The Boyhood of Burglar Bill” and “The Bucket,” and a tribute to his wife, "Janet's Last Book."After the death of his wife, Ahlberg worked with illustrators including Raymond Briggs and his daughter Jessica Ahlberg.Francesca Dow, head of children's literature at Penguin Random House, said the author's books have been described as "mini masterpieces."“He knew that making it perfect for children matters, and above all that the very best stories for children last forever,” Dow said. “Allan’s are some of the very best – true classics, which will be loved by children and families for years to come.”Ahlberg is survived by his second wife, Vanessa Clarke, his daughter and two stepdaughters.