The best laid plans of pigs and sheep
Let me tell you story about a Little Red Hen. 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…
Read more11th May 2018
Ronald Lampitt
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 more30th March 2018
My first Ladybird exhibition
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…
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How it works: the special stamp
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 more29th September 2017
Top ten mistakes that booksellers make when selling Ladybird Books
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,…
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Ladybird Experts: Battle of Britain and Shackleton
‘Battle of Britain’ and ‘Shackleton’ 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,…
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Facts, thoughts and Ladybird Experts
Facts, thoughts and Ladybird Experts In some ways, the timing couldn’t have been better. Just as everyone was talking about facts and alternative facts and the state of the world ‘post-fact’ – just when Trump draws our attention to climate…
Read moreConway Hall talk on modernism and Ladybird books
Modernism and Ladybird books Modernism and Ladybird books was the topic of the talk given by John Grindrod, Tim Dunn and and myself in October 2016 at the Conway Hall. The talk, chaired by Samira Ahmed, had a long and…
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The Ladybird Caption contest: a review of past winners
As we’re at that time of the year for looking back, it seemed a good time to share with you (or remind you) of some of the past winners of my Ladybird caption contest. @distracteddan This contest takes place every…
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‘Pond Life’: an abridged short story – by writer David Gladwin
Pond Life – an abridged short story inspired by a Ladybird book I couldn’t say how many childhood hours I spent on my stretch of the Cromford Canal in Ambergate. Probably fewer than I remember, but as time passes the…
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