Sorry for being a bit late with today’s Ladybird Tuesday. A poorly Master C who has suddenly taken to having three hours of naps a day – all on top of me! – means that everything is running somewhat behind schedule here chez C. And apologies for any extra bits in this post – rather than going to bed he’s insisting on sitting on my knee and “helping” me with my work!
I’m also looking at something a little bit different this week on Ladybird Tuesday. Rather than featuring an old vintage Ladybird book from my collection I’m instead looking at a new book that has just been published dot tie in with the 100th anniversary of Ladybird books. Back after Christmas when I blogged about some of my Ladybird Christmas presents I came across this book listed on Amazon and pre-ordered a copy straight away.
Ladybird by Design looks at both the social and design history of Ladybird books over the last 100 years and is just a dream read for anyone who loves Ladybird books like I do. Now, I have to admit that real life and poorly kids getting in the way means I’ve not yet finished reading it, but the parts that I have read so far are absolutely brilliant. There are also a huge number of photographs included that look at how Ladybird captures the changes in society over the years and also how different versions of the books have been updated over time. It’s something that I’ve written about many times here on Ladybird Tuesday, in particular the roles of women in some of the “People at Work” books (The Soldier, The Policeman, In a Hotel and The Car Makers for example) and in The Story of Newspapers.
It’s interesting to see that the media seem to have picked up on these Ladybird changes quite a lot, especially in the Peter and Jane books, and there have been articles on the BBC News website and also in the Daily Mail and The Telegraph in the last week or so too.
There is just so much history of this country and all the changes captured in Ladybird books that I’m not at all surprised that a book has finally been written about it. It’s wonderful to be able to curl up with a cup of tea and read all about it too. Selfishly though it gives me a slight worry as to what all this publicity is going to do to secondhand prices though. I guess I’d better his those charity shops quickly!
If you have a collection of old Ladybird books then please feel free to join in with Ladybird Tuesday. There are no formal rules to follow, just leave a link to any post you write in the comments below and if you’re feeling kind link back to my Ladybird Tuesday index page here on Being Mrs C. Thanks!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Mortgage to pay, school uniforms to buy and kids to feed…
Sim @ Sims Life says
Oh how wonderful – I expect it is a lovely book, charting the change in times of the Ladybird range. I used to read them at school but didn’t realise they had been around for 100 years!!x
Penny Carr says
I know – the format we recognise most is slightly younger than that, but as a company Ladybird is indeed 100. Amazing really.
Grenglish says
I haven’t seen these books in such a look time! I must have a few up in parents loft somewhere, if they survived the move that is. How lovely that you are revisiting them now and getting so much out of them too.
Penny Carr says
Get up there in their loft and have a look! Potential Ladybird treasure!
Emma says
100 years?? Wow! I’m very jealous of your collection. xx
Mummy Barrow says
a hundred years?!!! That is amazing. I had no idea they were quite that old.
I hope Master C feels better soon too.
Mum of One says
I was thinking of you just the other day when my folks gave ma box of my old books they cleared out from the loft. LOADS of Ladybirds! My two are completely obsessed with The Princess and the Pea at the moment. So brilliant!
Penny Carr says
There’s is nothing more exciting than a box of old Ladybird books. Nothing! Hope you, and your kids, enjoy them. And don’t forget to join in with Ladybird Tuesday with them!
Michelle Twin Mum says
These books evoke such wonderful childhood memeories for me. I love yoru passion for them. Mich x
Mammasaurus says
I NEED that book in my life – off to look on Amazon! Ladybird books are a National Treasure 🙂
I hope Master C feels better soon xx
Penny Carr says
I completely agree with you Annie!
Cass@frugalfamily says
I can’t believe that they’ve been around for so long – i remember reading lots of these when I was younger x x
Joe J says
Hello Mrs C,
I hope you don’t mind but I’ve just discovered your Ladybird Tuesday strand and had a go at it myself:
http://jarvworlddigital.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/ladybird-tuesday-pinocchio.html
Joe