Ladybird Books

One advantage to personal library building in Canada is the influence of the British culture and its literature. Used book sales abound with titles originally found on the shelves of British subjects. (pardon the pun)


One such find consists of the Ladybird Books still published today in England although the format has changed, not surprisingly to reflect more modern interests of children. These compact but sturdy books were first published in 1940 and included at least 63 different series ranging from topics like Natural History, Religious, People at Work, Adventures in History and more. I love the non-fiction titles, especially the Nature books. The illustrations are perfect in detail and charm.


So far I have found nine titles that endeared themselves to me:
Everyday Words for Numbers
People at Work: The Soldier
People at Work: The Farmer
London
Stamp Collecting
The Story of Saint Paul
Flight Two Canada: A Ladybird Book of Travel Adventure
Garden Flowers

And my most recent find:
Plants and How They Grow

Note the unique ladybug logo on the upper right hand corner of the book which identifies it as a Ladybird Book.
The Wee Web and Vintage Ladybird are two excellent resources for learning more about these vintage books. And this Flickr group, Vintage Ladybird Books can you provide you with a quick look at many of the covers and inside pages of these collectible books.

Where's the Dragon?

We brought this book home from the library two weeks ago and right away I decided that it would need to be added to the ever present list of books-to-own. The book's biggest appeal is the unique embossed cover and pages. The illustrations are captivating and the touch-and-feel effect provides a complete sensory experience.
 The story is of a young boy who after listening to his grandfather's tales of a dragon living in the mountains, decides that they need to embark on a dragon-hunting expedition of their own. The reader is led along on this wild chase all the while being entranced with the eyes and faces of dragons in unexpected places. The grandfather does not see what the boy and the reader can see and the story is made more humorous and adventurous because of it. The book ends by asking the reader how many hidden dragons were found. A clue to the answer is given which sends the reader on his own hunting game. The embossed dragons of all shapes and faces make this book friendly and memorable. Written and illustrated by Jason Hook and Richard Hook.

What's For Lunch, Charley?

Hands down, this is one of my favorite books ever. Published in 1961 by Scholastic Book Services, I read it countless times growing up and still like to breeze through this chapter book from time to time.
Sandwich, milk, fruit and cookie. That's what Charley has for lunch everyday as long as he manages to remember to take his lunchbox to school. And the day he forgets? He decides to go out. To the King Charles Hotel of course. But as he orders his fancy hotel lunch, he momentarily forgets one important thing. Food costs money. Thankfully, kind adults help smooth over an awkward situation and Charley learns about having new experiences to grow from. The story written by Margaret Hodges and the illustrations by Aliki pair up to give us a wonderful story from a different era.

Roller Skates

Miss Peters offered to hear her say her prayers every single night, but Lucinda gently but firmly preferred to say them to herself. Miss Nettie reminded her that if she felt lonely she could creep into bed with her. Lucinda thanked her and refused, "I shall always sleep alone until I'm married; then I suppose I shall have to sleep with my husband. Everybody does that, I know."