Happy Families (books)

Happy Families is a series of children's books written by Allan Ahlberg, inspired by the traditional card game Happy Families. Ahlberg worked with a number of illustrators and the books were published by Puffin Books. The series form a transition for children between picture books and chapter books.^[1] It is a popular series, having sold in excess of 2.6 million copies since its launch in 1980.^[2][3]

Media

A children's TV series based on the books, also called Happy Families, was produced by the BBC in the late 1980s.

Titles

• Master Money the Millionaire, illustrated by Andre Amstutz
• Master Bun the Bakers' Boy, illustrated by Fritz Wegner
• Mrs Lather's Laundry, illustrated by Andre Amstutz
• Mr Creep the Crook, illustrated by Andre Amstutz
• Miss Jump the Jockey, illustrated by Andre Amstutz
• Master Track's Train, illustrated by Andre Amstutz
• Master Salt the Sailors' Son, illustrated by Andre Amstutz
• Mr and Mrs Hay the Horse, illustrated by Colin McNaughton
• Miss Brick the Builders' Baby, illustrated by Colin McNaughton
• Mrs Jolly's Joke Shop, illustrated by Colin Mcnaughton
• Mr Buzz the Beeman, illustrated by Faith Jaques
• Miss Dose the Doctors' Daughter*, illustrated by Faith Jaques
• Mr Tick the Teacher, illustrated by Faith Jaques
• Mrs Wobble the Waitress, illustrated by Janet Ahlberg
• Mr Biff the Boxer, illustrated by Janet Ahlberg
• Mr Cosmo the Conjuror, illustrated by Joe Wright
• Mrs Plug the Plumber, illustrated by Joe Wright
• Miss Dirt the Dustman's Daughter, illustrated by Tony Ross
• Mrs Vole the Vet, illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark
• Ms Cliff the Climber, illustrated by Fritz Wegner

Notes

1. The Puffin Handbook p 38
2. Allan Ahlberg page on jacketflap.com
3. Jones, Nicolette (31 May 2008). "Allan Ahlberg: 'The fun thing is still making the book'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 16 June 2010.