Allan Ahlberg, a former teacher, postman, plumber's mate and grave digger, is in the super-league of children's writers. He has published over 100 children's books and, with his late wife Janet, created such award-winning picture books as Each Peach Pear Plum and The Jolly Christmas Postman - both winners of the Greenaway Medal. He has also written prize-winning poetry and fiction for older readers. The Telegraph described him as 'By far our best writer for the young.