It’s finally here. Let the party begin. A centenary of Ladybird Books. It says so here, and here …and here … Radio programmes and newspaper articles and exhibitions and celebratory re-publishing … Some starting now, lots in the pipeline. Expect…
Read moreOn the 24th of January a new exhibition will be opening, celebrating the design of Ladybird Books through ‘the golden years’ of the 50s, 60s and early 70s. The exhibition will be held at the De La Warr Pavilion in…
Read moreHere are the full pictures. Congratulations to this year’s Wise Robin – Anthea! Peter and Jane: 5a Coco the Caravan – from ‘Tootles the Taxi’ Smoke and Fluff Snow White and Rose Red What to Look for in Summer The…
Read moreHere’s this year’s Ladybird Book Christmas Quiz. It doesn’t have very much anything to do with Christmas, but I ran out of inspiration. Very simply – I’ve taken some of the pictures that I’ve posted on Twitter this year and…
Read moreJust this week everywhere I look online I seem to see reference to Ladybird Books – and the trumpeting that they are ” to drop gender branding from its books after almost 100 years”.: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30143662 If you search Twitter at…
Read moreIf you missed it last time, the BBC4 Timeshift documentary, The Ladybird Books Story, is due to be re-shown on Sunday (2nd Nov) at 7.pm. What a perfect way to spend a Sunday evening. Brian Cox and Human Universe? Strictly…
Read moreThe Ladybird Book Story is a new publication based on a PhD thesis by Lorraine Johnson and co-written by Brian Alderson; published by The British Library. Here’s a very quick summary of what I’m going to say for those who…
Read moreThe original Kenney versions and a 1978 version When I met John Kenney’s relative (see last post) she asked me whether Ladybird had ever published a book in the Robin Hood series called ‘The Spy’. The reason for this…
Read moreLast month I had a truly Ladybird-Geeky treat. I met up with Ladybird artist John Kenney’s closest surviving relative and, over a very pleasant lunch, enjoyed the pleasure of talking with someone who shares my passion for these pictures and…
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Last summer, when the programme makers of BBC4’s ‘The Ladybird Book Story’ came to film, I showed the director Jon Bentley’s ‘Peter and Jane’ inspired art: ‘The Lost Episodes’. She liked them as much as I do and took the…
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