The Funnybones Series

By Allan Ahlberg

Playful skeleton adventures filled with repetition, gentle scares, visual jokes and early-reading appeal.

humorous · charming · playful · gentle

Pageticker community rating

Average 4.74, from 305 readers

What is The Funnybones series by Allan Ahlberg about?

First published in 1980, Allan Ahlberg’s Funnybones books follow a big skeleton, a little skeleton and their dog as they roam from their dark, dark home into playful night-time adventures. Starting with simple repetition and a gentle search for someone to scare, the series expands into mysteries, pets, travel, pirates, trains and everyday mishaps, while keeping its familiar trio at the centre. Ideal for preschoolers and beginning readers who enjoy visual humour and mildly spooky stories. Skeleton imagery is comic rather than frightening.

Genres

Animals Classics Humour

About the author

Allan Ahlberg is a much-loved British author who has written many fun and imaginative books for children. He is famous for stories like 'Peepo!' and 'Each Peach Pear Plum', which he often created with his wife, Janet. Allan’s books are known for their clever rhymes, gentle humour, and wonderful illustrations.

All the books in The Funnybones series

Funnybones

by Allan Ahlberg and Janet Ahlberg

Friendly skeletons explore the darkness - but what surprising fun will they discover tonight?

Published: 1980

Bumps in the Night

by Allan Ahlberg

Two skeletons keep clonk-bumping—can Doctor Bones solve their not-so-bony problem?

Published: 1993

The Black Cat

by Allan Ahlberg

Snowy sledging turns spooky when three skeletons’ black cat vanishes into their dark, dark cellar.

Published: 1990

The Pet Shop

by Allan Ahlberg

A mysterious box may hold the perfect pet — but what’s hiding inside?

Published: 1990

Skeleton Crew

by Allan Ahlberg

Pirates maroon three skeletons at sea — but what else is drifting through the darkness?

Published: 1992

Dinosaur Dreams

by Allan Ahlberg

Sweet dinosaur dreams turn into a not-so-sleepy chase — can Dog Skeleton save them?

Published: 1991

Mystery Tour

by Allan Ahlberg

Three skeletons chase six mysteries—but one spooky secret could stop them ever getting home.

Published: 1991

Give the Dog a Bone

by Allan Ahlberg

Dog Skeleton’s spooky stroll takes a bony turn when mysterious animals make him fall apart!

Published: 1993

The Ghost Train

by Allan Ahlberg

A ghost train ride turns monstrously surprising when three skeletons discover who’s driving.

Published: 1992

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