Happy Families (books)

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Happy FamiliesAuthor| Allan Ahlberg

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Illustrator| Andre Amstutz
Publisher| Puffin Books
Published| 1980
No. of books| 20

Happy Families  is a series of children's books written by Allan Ahlberg; as the titles indicate, they were 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]

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

## Titles

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* 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

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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.

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