Day 4
The Jolly Christmas Postman
This is a classic Christmas book and one to enjoy year after year. I still marvel at all the little inclusions (a game, a jigsaw, and a peep show card) and tiny details in the illustrations. It seems so odd that it is now out of print but I am glad the publisher agree to take on such an inventive project. If you are new to this book it contains a series of envelopes with 'real' things inside which you can pull out to read and enjoy.
"Once upon a Christmas Eve
Just after it had snowed,
The Jolly Postman (him again!)
Came down the jolly road:
And in the bag upon his back
An ... interesting load."
First stop: Four Bears Cottage.
Wait a minute. What is going on here? Four bears! No you have it wrong. There are only three bears in the famous story. Let's open the Christmas card in the envelope and find out what is going on.
To Baby Bear and brother
from
Goldilocks and sister
It seems some time has passed since was last met these characters and two babies have been born.
Next stop Miss R Hood. Inside her envelope you will find a game board. The game is called "Beware! a hazardous board game - Get out of the Woods!
Next stop Mr H Dumpty who is in Wincey Ward Cock Robin Memorial Hospital. His gift is a jigsaw - just perfect to put together again.
Every little detail has been so carefully constructed in this book. The stamps are such fun and the addresses so inventive. I also love all the references to other fairy tales and especially the nursery rhymes.
MISS R HOOD
THE PLAY HOUSE
GARDEN PATH
DIDDLE DUMPLING
THE GINGERBREAD BOY
McVITTIE HOUSE
LITTLE TOE LANE
TOYTOWN
MISTER WOLF
THE DEN
This whole series of books about the Jolly Postman must have been such fun to create by husband and wife team Janet and Allan Ahlberg. Here is a very special film where Allan talks about the first book. Here is a review if you are not familiar with the Christmas Jolly Postman.
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