Ladybird books

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Anita Bensoussane
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Re: Ladybird books

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

Well spotted, Pete! I have a lot of the Peter and Jane books (I learnt to read with them, as did my children) and I like the illustrations. They're cheerful and full of activity and they encourage young readers to linger and work out what the text says. I hadn't realised that Martin Aitchison had done the cover of an Enid Blyton book. Some of his Peter and Jane artwork is on display at the Ladybird by Design Exhibition in King's Cross.

According to a recent article in The Guardian, Martin Aitchison is now 95. The article also takes a look at The Party illustrated by Harry Wingfield, which has gorgeous pictures capturing the excitement of a birthday party with presents, games, smart shirts, pretty frocks and a cake with glowing candles. Harry Wingfield modelled his illustrations on the sixth birthday party of his nephew, Andy Dickens. Andy recalls, "Those pictures weren't staged. I know the names of every one of those children... His (Harry's) work showed how he saw the world, the detail and intensity with which he saw it. I can't tell you how faithful they are - the candlewick cover on my parents' bed, the pictures on the wall, the bookcase my dad built. I was horrified by the picture of me getting dressed in my room - I certainly didn't want to take my trousers off - but the realism is incredible. That clock and the aluminium torch were very much part of my childhood.":

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle ... bird-books" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Ladybird books

Post by pete9012S »

Thanks for your link Anita.


The Ladybird Peter and Jane – A Social History (Feb, 24 2015)


…an antidote to the privileged country children of popular literature, such as Swallows and Amazons or the Famous Five. Ladybird children didn’t go to boarding school; they went to the local newsagent’s on their bicycles. The childhood of Ladybirds was egalitarian and unsnobbish, depicting suburbia as the kind of utopia that town planners always intended it to be.

That’s the 1960s version of Peter and Jane. However, in 1970, only 6 years after first publication, Ladybird decided that the books needed some updating.

I didn't realize that so much updating went on with the 1960's and 1970's versions.
I was reading them from about 1971 onwards and I think our school still had the older versions,but I'm not sure??

http://thedabbler.co.uk/2015/02/the-lad ... l-history/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Anita Bensoussane
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Re: Ladybird books

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

My Peter and Jane books were/are a mixture of older style (1960s) and newer style (1970s). As a child I used to wonder why Jane in particular looked different from book to book, but it didn't worry me too much.
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Re: Ladybird books

Post by Courtenay »

Oh, thank you for posting that link, Anita - now we know that the Ladybird By Design exhibition is on in London until 27 September! http://www.houseofillustration.org.uk/w ... by-design/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I really wanted to see that when it was on at the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill a few months ago, but didn't manage to get down there in time. Now I can go to see it after all! :D :D
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Re: Ladybird books

Post by floragord »

You'll enjoy it greatly, Courtenay, I went 3 times when it was on here at the de la Warr, and noticed different and fresh aspects each time.
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Jokes

Post by pete9012S »

Split from the 'Jokes' thread.

Image

As many will no doubt already know,the book and the topic are no joke!
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Re: Jokes

Post by Courtenay »

I think my dad would like that one :mrgreen:
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Re: Jokes

Post by pete9012S »

Image

Of course we can't leave the ladies out! :D
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Re: Jokes

Post by Courtenay »

:lol: What was the original title of that one, Pete? That's quite a revealing dress for a Ladybird book!!
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Re: Jokes

Post by pete9012S »

It is actually the proper title of one of about four new adult themed Ladybird books that are to be published in the near future!
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Re: Jokes

Post by Courtenay »

:shock: :shock: That is a joke, isn't it, Pete...
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Re: Jokes

Post by pete9012S »

I will let you judge for yourself... :D

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34503866" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Jokes

Post by Katharine »

Well now I know what to put on my Christmas list. Not so sure about the Hangover one though.
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Re: Jokes

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

Courtenay wrote: :lol: What was the original title of that one, Pete? That's quite a revealing dress for a Ladybird book!!
It was originally an internal illustration by Roger Hall for Stories of Special Days and Customs (1972). It shows Eostre, goddess of spring, as the word "Easter" comes from her name.
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.

"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.


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Re: Ladybird books

Post by Fiona1986 »

I saw these on FB earlier today. People have put silly titles on their books for years now, so it's good to see Ladybird making fun of their own format and releasing proper spoofs.
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