Obit: Janet Ahlberg
Rob Collingwood
Janet Ahlberg, born October 21, 1944; died November 15, 1994.
The world of children's books is deeply saddened by Janet Ahlberg's death
from cancer, at the age of 50. Her death has robbed us all of a unique and
glorious talent at a time when her powers were at their peak.
Janet Hall was born in Huddersfield in 1944, but spent her childhood,
absorbed in comic books, in Leicester. Janet's inherent shyness prevented
her from being the teacher she trained to be, but at teacher training
college in Sunderland she met her husband, Allan. While Allan was teaching,
Janet illustrated educational and craft books, but they spent their spare
time creating picture book ideas that were rejected by publisher after
publisher; finally in 1975, one was accepted, and so began a partnership
that was to create more than 40 books.
The Brick Street Boys series came first, but they were swiftly followed
by The Old Joke Book (1976) and Burglar Bill (1977). In 1978 came their
award-winning breakthrough book, Each Peach Pear Plum; then among others
Funnybones (1980), Peepo! (1981), The Baby's Catalogue (1982) which was
created in response to their daughter Jessica's fondness for the Mothercare
catalogue, and Starting School (1988). One of their finest achievements
was the creation of The Jolly Postman in 1986, which sold millions
throughout the world, containing as it does, a series of letters for the
child to read, based around nursery characters. In 1991 they followed this
with The Jolly Christmas Postman.
From the beginning Janet's distinctive style made its mark with both
children and adults. The affection Janet had for her child readers
outweighed any questions of style, and the audience could always sense
Janet's love of children and childhood. The delicacy and warmth of the
pictures combine with Allan's texts in apparently seamless marriage. They
sparked each other as they discussed ideas for all aspects of the book,
with care taken over type size and binding as much as cover layout and
paper quality, never compromising at any stage.
Working closely with Janet was an enormous privilege for a publisher, from
the very first miniature pencil roughs through to the appearance of the
final water colour or pen and ink artwork, and ultimately the delivery of
the finished book; Janet was always keen to try new ideas and techniques
and book-making totally absorbed her life. She was never a great one for
leaving the desk and pens of her studio on top of the garage to go to
parties or publishing events. She spent her time perfecting her work and
generously creating special cards for friends to mark the births of
children or other special occasions. All her friends will miss her quiet,
dry humour, which came across in both her pictures and her personality.
Janet's professionalism never wavered, even as she continued to work at
her desk through years of severe back pain. Fortunately, she was able to
continue working throughout her last illness, only stopping in the summer
when she completed work on the third Jolly Postman book, which will be
published in 1995. She bore developing cancer with great courage and
dignity, happily able to stay at home with Allan and Jessica (15).
Janet always had time to talk with close friends, and treasured time with
her family. But she has created for all her readers a legacy. There was
such a warmth and affection in her pictures that we always wanted more.
Best known for her full-colour work, Janet's black and white drawings
were also technically brilliant but it was the gentleness of spirit which
coloured all of her work that made it so very special. She created a
lasting and loving world of childhood thath was both personal and universal.
Written by Liz Attenborough in The Guardian, November 17, 1994.
--
Rob Collingwood
Jane Thorngren
: Janet Ahlberg, born October 21, 1944; died November 15, 1994.
: The world of children's books is deeply saddened by Janet Ahlberg's death
: from cancer, at the age of 50. Her death has robbed us all of a unique and
: glorious talent at a time when her powers were at their peak.
: Rob Collingwood
I am very sad to hear about this. I have very fond
memories of poring over The Baby's Catalogue with
my (then) 2-year old daughter. The families in
the book must have been modeled from real families;
they seem so real. We enjoyed going through and
trying to match each baby with its mother, father
siblings and household items. It is a very warm
book. I will look forward to the third Jolly
Postman, but it is sad to think it will be the last.
--Jane Thorngren