The Jolly Pocket Postman by Janet & Allan Ahlberg

Source: http://www.unclephilsbooks.co.uk

The Jolly Pocket Postman is an amazingly fun and interactive picture book that will definitely bring lots of fun and laughter to young children. This book follows the Jolly Postman as he makes his rounds delivering mail. He soon finds himself delivering mail to many familiar characters as well. Many of these characters are famous personalities in the world of children's fiction like the Mad Hatter and Dorothy.

This book is beautifully illustrated. It has a great combination of art and interactive pages which provides wonderful a reading experience. The most outstanding characteristic of this book is that there are envelopes every few pages that children can open and be surprised with whatever they contain. Each mail item is also unique and some have little tales of their own. With such delightful elements, they will certainly be reading this book with a sense of wonder.

Source: photo taken by me

Children will also be introduced to fairytale characters while accompanying the Jolly Postman on his journey. The Jolly Postman not only delivers mail to different fairytale characters, he also encounters them in the setting of their fairytale. Children reading this book will be able to recognise them from other stories they have read or been told and this provides yet another element of fun!

Although young children will probably not be able to understand them, this book has several witty puns and wordplay cleverly incorporated. For example, this is a circular.

Source: photo taken by me

I think this book is especially precious since today, the use of snail mail has reduced a lot. As people are mostly communicating electronically now, many children might grow up not knowing what it is like to receive a letter or card in the mail. Although this book cannot exactly replicate that experience, it can at least give children a small taste of it.

This book will definitely be enjoyed by children of all ages. Some words are quite challenging but younger children can still have a lot of fun with the interactive mail items while being read to.

Every child will also most certainly need a map of fairytale land.

Source: photo taken by me