Happy Families: Adventures with the Ahlbergs

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Partnership that produced some of Britain’s best-loved children’s books celebrated in new family experience at Mottisfont.

HAPPY FAMILIES: ADVENTURES WITH THE AHLBERGS EXHIBITION AND TRAIL

22 July to 5 November

A new family exhibition and outdoor trail at the National Trust’s Mottisfont in Hampshire celebrates the classic children’s books created by illustrator Janet Ahlberg and writer Allan Ahlberg, including The Jolly Postman, Happy Families and Each Peach Pear Plum.

Over 150 original artworks, chosen together with the Ahlberg family, will be on display in an interactive and immersive exhibition with indoor and outdoor gallery spaces, together with an Ahlberg-themed activity trail.

The National Trust show is the biggest ever retrospective of the Ahlbergs’ work and includes never shown before illustrations from It Was a Dark and Stormy Night and Starting School. Janet and Allan worked together for over 20 years, publishing 38 books and winning numerous awards and accolades including two Kate Greenaway medals and the Kurt Maschler Award.

Daughter Jessica Ahlberg was the inspiration for several books including The Baby’s Catalogue, and The Jolly Postman: “I’m so happy and excited about this exhibition. My dad and stepmum visited Mottisfont a few years ago, and said how beautiful it is, and what a wonderful space it is to show artwork. I think this exhibition is going to be a lot of fun for young visitors; the curators have put so much thought into entertaining everyone, from babies to adults. I can’t wait to bring my own children!”

Narrated in Allan’s own words, visitors can explore how the Ahlbergs combined their ideas, words and preliminary sketches to produce stories that enriched the early reading experience for children. Allan’s enchanting wordplay and Janet’s intricate illustrations created books that melded fantasy with realism, producing stories influenced by both classic fairy tales, nursery rhymes and family life.

“…one day Janet said: ‘Could you write me a picture book? I’m getting all these books from publishers about how to make things out of yoghurt pots, I’m sick of them!’ And so I wrote a story, and it was as though someone had turned a key in my back. I was off, and I’ve been writing children’s stories ever since.”

The stories are brought to life through playful and imaginative experiences in five interconnected gallery spaces. Original artworks and text from the books are exhibited in immersive, family-friendly ways. Big, bold wall displays provide photo opportunities with colourful backdrops and favourite characters. And throughout the gallery, there are comfy areas where children can curl up with a book.

Mrs Wobble the Waitress’s cosy café has been recreated, with a table to sit at decorated with crockery featuring tiny versions of Janet’s illustrations. In a room dedicated to Cops and Robbers and Burglar Bill children can feature in their own ‘Wanted’ poster and have their ‘mug shot’ taken in a cops and robbers line up.

The character of Burglar Bill came about through Allan’s work as a primary school teacher and demonstrated his ability to view the world through a child’s eyes: “I had a fair idea children would like it, even before I’d written it. It grew out of a game I used to play with a class of infants. At the end of the day there would often be five minutes to fill. I got the habit of telling them about Burglar Bill, who walked the local streets looking for houses to burgle. I’d use the names of local streets and the kids’ actual houses. They loved it, wondering whose house would be next.”

A room devoted to The Jolly Postman series includes the original, hand-crafted draft of the first book, including the famous pull-out letters, postcards and games. The writing, design and mechanics of creating this ‘movable’ book took Janet and Allan nearly five years to perfect, resulting in a handmade prototype that they could be sure ‘worked’ for children and be mass produced.

An interactive room for younger visitors is dedicated to baby books such as Peepo and The Baby’s Catalogue –a book inspired by Janet and Allan’s daughter, Jessica and her early fascination with a Mothercare catalogue. A few years later, Allan watched a slightly older Jessica play with a stack of envelopes and this sowed the seeds for The Jolly Postman.

Outside, the Beech Circle in Mottisfont’s gardens will be transformed into an outdoor garden gallery with a reading and discovery area, decorated with images from Each Peach Pear Plum, which celebrates its 45th anniversary this year.

A summer holiday activity trail will take children on an adventure around the grounds as they enjoy challenges and games inspired by the imagination of the Ahlbergs. They can help the Jolly Postman deliver his letters, enjoy activities inspired by Happy Families characters, discover a cosy space for creating and telling stories, and find things to make along the way.

Visitors can head to the shop to discover Ahlberg books and other merchandise throughout the duration of the exhibition.

Helen Potts, Visitor Experience Manager at Mottisfont: “I grew up reading the Ahlbergs’ books as a child –waiting impatiently for the next book to be released! I was enthralled by the rhythmic storytelling and the detailed, exquisite drawings. It’s been an honour to work with Allan and his daughter Jessica, and to tell the story of one of the most famous partnerships in children’s literature, through the wonderful worlds they created together.”

The Happy Families: Adventures with the Ahlbergs exhibition runs from Saturday 22 July – Sunday 5 November 2023. The summer activity trail runs from Saturday 22 July – 3 September, £3 per trail.