Please Mrs Butler: The timeless school poetry collection
Allan Ahlberg
""Please Mrs Butler, this boy Derek Drew
Keeps copying my work, Miss. What shall I do?""
Discover this hilarious collection of poetry by award-winning Allan Ahlberg, perfect for primary school children.
Packed with playful poems about reading tests, never-ending school projects and playground quarrels, this collection has delighted generations of children and adults alike. Voted the most important children’s poetry book of the 20th century in a Books for Keeps poll, Please Mrs Butler belongs in every child’s bedroom.
‘Hilarious and poignant school verses about primary school life. A real winner’ – The Guardian
‘Clever, funny and nostalgic, the collection is a delight’ – Sunday Times
Discover more school stories from Alan Ahlberg:
Starting School
Heard It In The Playground
Reviews
Long and very funny book
Farmer Panther Bumblebee 28.08.2025
Funny poems
Empress Pixie Slingshot 22.08.2025
I love this book so much! The poems are really funny and so good to read out loud.
King Catapult Custard 25.08.2024
It’s really funny and silly!
Countess Fenella Piccalilli 26.06.2024
Very funny, my mom read this at school too
Lady Rapunzel Hungry-Hippo 09.09.2023
I like the dog in the playground one.
Officer Pinky Bonsai 03.09.2023
This is my mommy's and my favourite book! It was my mommy's favourite book when she was at school too! It is funny!
Anonymous 22.07.2023
This is a fun book of poems about the school day. My mum read it when she was little and we have enjoyed reading it together, our favourite one was please Mrs Butler. It was her favourite as a child and still is. The book is set out in chapters like a school day school time, play time, dinner time school time, home time. What a supper book and I recommend this book.
Chief Grip Windchime 13.01.2023
Star Reviewer
I love the poems because they are really funny.
Anonymous 04.09.2022
I like it because it's funny and there are lots of poems instead of just one. The poems are about school and some are at home. My favourite is The slow readers group.
Coach Wanda Teacup 04.09.2022
Please Mrs Butler is a very funny poetry book. My favourite poems were: Please Mrs Butler, Dog in the Playground and Supply Teacher ! I enjoyed and recommend this book!
Senorita Candyfloss Hammersmith 30.08.2022
A great introduction to poetry
Anonymous 01.08.2022
My favourite bit in the book was Derek Drew because it was funny. I would recommend it.
Baron Hercules Fink 28.06.2022
Dog in the playground is my favourite
Anonymous 02.01.2022
I love all the poems in this book, they make giggle with some of the things that happen at school.
Marshal Rip Menace 23.08.2021
The “Ordeal of Robin Hood” poem about doing a play was the best.
Earl Flash Fink 29.07.2021
I actually read this book at my school in a Guided Reading session! When I saw it on the 22 July 2021, It surprised me so much!
Princess Letizia Tinkle 22.07.2021
It's a bit boring
Captain Diamond Washington 21.07.2021
With a fresh look and a brand new generation for school children to take to its heart, every teacher, parent and child should have a copy
Marshal Tulip Borchester-Smythe 17.07.2021
a childhood fabvourite still relveant today
Anonymous 22.06.2021
