Under the Table
A hilarious new picture book from the author of Funnybones and the illustrator of When Martha's Away
Published on 1. February 2024
Book
Paperback/Softback
40 pages
978-1-5295-1703-3 (ISBN)
Description
Now here's another story for you, full of such fun and exciting stuff, you will surely love it...
Allan Ahlberg and Bruce Ingman are back! Hold on tight for a funny and quirky new story set in the same world as their celebrated classics, The Pencil and The Runaway Dinner.
One morning, Banjo is helping his dad to wash the car. His little sister Elsie comes running up. "There's an egg in my egg cup!" she yells. "And a great big grey thing ... UNDER THE TABLE!" Brimming over with Allan Ahlberg's idiosyncratic voice, charm and character, and perfectly matched with Bruce Ingman's bold and playful illustrations, Under the Table is an irresistible read-aloud full of surprises ... oh, does Elsie discover such wonderful (and unexpected!) new friends in her lively and happy home!
Allan Ahlberg and Bruce Ingman are back! Hold on tight for a funny and quirky new story set in the same world as their celebrated classics, The Pencil and The Runaway Dinner.
One morning, Banjo is helping his dad to wash the car. His little sister Elsie comes running up. "There's an egg in my egg cup!" she yells. "And a great big grey thing ... UNDER THE TABLE!" Brimming over with Allan Ahlberg's idiosyncratic voice, charm and character, and perfectly matched with Bruce Ingman's bold and playful illustrations, Under the Table is an irresistible read-aloud full of surprises ... oh, does Elsie discover such wonderful (and unexpected!) new friends in her lively and happy home!
Reviews / Votes
Surreal imagination, warmth and fun. [...] Despite its eccentricity, this picture book is full of the recognizable delight of long summer days and family togetherness. As is characteristic, Ahlberg juggles the story and a meta narrative about it, while Ingman's pictures have a childlike simplicity and exuberance. -- Nicolette Jones * Sunday Times * A new picture book from the great children's author Allan Ahlberg was a highlight of the year... It is surreal, warm and fun, and Ingman's pictures have a childlike exuberance. * Children's books of the year 2023, The Sunday Times * Few writers understand children's sense of the absurd better than Ahlberg and this madcap story, with funny, detailed illustrations, will be a bedtime classic. -- Sally Morris * Daily Mail * Improvisational good humour and playful writing make "Under the Table" as fun for adults to read aloud as it will be for children ages 3-7 to hear. * The Wall Street Journal * Allan Ahlberg is a master of classics. -- Amanda Craig * New Statesman *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 3 to 7 years
Dimensions
Height: 278 mm
Width: 209 mm
Thickness: 6 mm
Weight
228 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5295-1703-3 (9781529517033)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Allan Ahlberg (1938-2025) wrote over 140 titles for children and was one of the most beloved children's book writers of his time. Allan's stories include The Pencil and The Runaway Dinner, both illustrated by Bruce Ingman, and bestselling stories illustrated by Janet Ahlberg: Funnybones, The Baby's Catalogue, The Jolly Postman, Peepo and Each Peach Pear Plum. Allan's books have been enjoyed the world over and have won numerous awards - the Kurt Maschler Award, the Blue Peter Award, the Kate Greenaway Medal and the Children's Book Award, to name but a few.
Bruce Ingman is an acclaimed artist and Illustration lecturer at Goldsmiths University. His first book, When Martha's Away, won the 1996 Mother Goose Award for the most exciting British newcomer to children's books. Since then, he has made many more picture books, including Bad News, I'm in Charge and Boing!, written by Sean Taylor, and The Pencil and The Runaway Dinner, written by Allan Ahlberg.
Bruce Ingman is an acclaimed artist and Illustration lecturer at Goldsmiths University. His first book, When Martha's Away, won the 1996 Mother Goose Award for the most exciting British newcomer to children's books. Since then, he has made many more picture books, including Bad News, I'm in Charge and Boing!, written by Sean Taylor, and The Pencil and The Runaway Dinner, written by Allan Ahlberg.