It’s been quite a tough year and I wanted a holiday – but didn’t have the time or the energy to go very far afield. With minimal planning, husband and I hopped in the car last week and headed off…
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[I would like to tell the story of one of Ladybird’s most remarkable books: The Royal Wedding, 1981. But first, I think I should introduce you to one of Ladybird’s most remarkable characters – at least, from the ‘Penguin’ era:…
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1981 – THE Royal Wedding. Of course your remember – Charles and Di and the mother-of-all meringue wedding dresses. And even more bedazzling than the dress, was the feat pulled off by the team at Ladybird: the feat of getting…
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A recent interview/chat with the lovely David Wilson for the On Another Track podcast. Hope you enjoy our conversation.
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An interview with the curator of ‘The Wonderful World of the Ladybird Artists’. Laura Dodsworth Dec 14, 2024 [I was interviewed by Laura last year and the interview was published on her substack ‘The Free Mind” (see link above). These…
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This is the story of why I have a portrait of a very serious, elderly stranger in prime position in my Ladybird bookroom – and why I am proud to be his guardian. Are you sitting comfortably? A long time…
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What bibliophile hasn’t dreamt of a magnificent library with wall to ceiling sliding ladders, nooks and comfy chairs? I got pretty close to my dream with my bookshed – which has sat in my garden being beautiful for the last…
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“Mum and Dad and Ladybird books” Ina and Jack Havenhand wrote the popular ‘People at Work’ series of Ladybird books, which were published between 1961 and 1973. The following was written for me by their son, Barry. “This note is…
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Coincidences – really nice ones – abound in Ladybird Land. I don’t know why and perhaps I don’t want to know why, in case the magic one day stops. But last week I heard of a really special coincidence –…
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There’s a much-loved book in Ladybird Land from 1960 called ‘The Party’ in which two young children go to their friend Ann’s birthday party. In the story, they give Ann a gift which she unwraps right away – and to…
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