Please Mrs Butler

Allan Ahlberg

Mar 2003 · Penguin UK

About this ebook

The bestselling and much-loved children's poetry classic, Please Mrs Butler by Allan Ahlberg is celebrating its 30th anniversary! With a fresh new look for a brand new generation of school children to take to its heart, every teacher, parent and child should have a copy.


Nobody leave the room.
Everyone listen to me.
We had ten pairs of scissors
At half-past two, And now there's only three.

This witty collection of school poems by Allan Ahlberg, re-jacketed for its 30th anniversary and for a whole new generation of school children to fall in love with, is full of typical classroom events that will be recognized and enjoyed by everyone. From never-ending projects, reading tests, quarrelling, making-up, excuses and 'Please, Sir, it isn't fair.'

Fritz Wegner's line drawings beautifully complement the hilarious and poignant verses.

Please Mrs Butler was voted the most important twentieth-century children's poetry book in a Books for Keeps poll.



Praise for Please Mrs Butler:

'Hilarious and poignant school verses about primary school life. A real winner' - Guardian

'Clever, funny and nostalgic, the collection is a delight' - Sunday Times

PLEASE MRS BUTLER - The most important 20th-century children's poetry book' - Books for Keeps poll


Praise for Allan Ahlberg:

'By far our best writer for the young,' - Telegraph

Ratings and reviews

Excellently good!! Just for me goodie good good!!!!!!!

It soo good

Best book ever

About the author

Allan Ahlberg, a former teacher, postman, plumber's mate and grave digger, is in the super-league of children's writers. He has published over 100 children's books and, with his late wife Janet, created such award-winning picture books as Each Peach Pear Plum and The Jolly Christmas Postman - both winners of the Greenaway Medal. He has also written prize-winning poetry and fiction for older readers. The Telegraph described him as 'By far our best writer for the young.'