So many of us will have grown up with Ladybird books at school in the 1960s and 70s that it’s hard to remember that they weren’t always a fixture on school shelves. The school market certainly wasn’t in the minds…
Read more
Here are some of the photos from the Opening Event in Canterbury on Friday 8th (the evening before the public opening). Thanks so much to those who attended – sometimes for long distances – to make it such an enjoyable…
Read more
Here are more details about my Ladybird Artists exhibition, which will be taking place in Canterbury over the summer months (2018). It will be held at The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge, in the centre of Canterbury. Entry is free:…
Read more
Let me tell you story. This is a story that has a moral, only I’m not quite sure what it is. Once upon a time there was a Ladybird book about a little red hen and some grains of wheat….
Read more
If you grew up with the Hannibal series of Ladybird books, or read them to a child, you’ll know what little gems they are. The artwork by John Berry is in great contrast to his better-known ‘People at Work’ series…
Read more
Of all the ‘golden age’ Ladybird artists, it could be argued that Ronald Lampitt has the most distinctive style. He never received formal art training and it is interesting to speculate whether, had he attended art college, something of this…
Read more
Do you remember at school, on Monday morning – especially after a holiday – when they got you to write ‘your news’? Well, I’m very pleased to share with you my news here. This summer I’m going to be putting…
Read more
Let’s be honest, in this sad and sorry world, there’s not a lot of work out there for a Ladybird book consultant. But they say every dog has its day. Sometimes a commission comes along that matches a niche interest…
Read more
This post is probably a bit niche – it’s intended for people who ever buy or sell vintage Ladybird books. There are lots of traps that make the buying and selling of Ladybird books a bit different from other children’s books,…
Read more
In common with Basil Fawlty, golden-age Ladybird books try not to mention the war. This to some extent reflects the spirit of the age – of the 1950s to 70s – to look forward, not backwards, towards a constructive, technology-driven future. …
Read more