Ladybird Books

From time to time I check to see what search results have brought people to my blog.  The main reason I do this is to determine whether I may have images to post that someone is specifically looking for. My second post (7 January 2011) was partly devoted to Ladybird Books, particularly the fairytale stories including princesses.  This week I've decided to expand on that with some more of my favourite illustrations from these gorgeous, sumptuously illustrated little books.  Last week I noticed a few searches for Ladybird, particularly Cinderella which is probably the most iconic story in the range.

Please note that these images are all subject to copyright by Ladybird Books Ltd:

Cinderella

Vintage Ladybird which can be accessed from the main Ladybird Books site contains some fun activities related to these lovely little books that many people of my age will count amongst their most vivid childhood memories.  Ladybird no longer sell old editions but do provide some useful links to specialist collector's sites.  They also provide a link to the Ladybird Prints site, a wonderful treasure trove of images.  I've included some of my favourites here but a far more extensive collection can be found at this site broken down onto different categories.

Sleeping Beauty

Rapunzel

Nursery Rhymes

Malahide Castle (County Fingal)

I never get tired of going to Malahide Castle.  The first time I went there was 10 years ago and it has been one of my special places ever since. The castle demesne is set on over 250 acres of parkland so even through it is a popular place to visit the grounds never feel crowded. 

There is a paid tour of the castle itself (well worth it) and you also have to pay to see the formal gardens, but entrance to the parkland and forests that make up the castle demesne is free.  It is a gloriously beautiful place to wander around and every time I go there I find something new.

Unfortunately the wonderful Fry Model Railway and Tara's Children's Museum are no longer housed at the castle which is a shame as the railway was fabulous and I'm not sure if it has found a new home.   

The first time I came here this path through the forest was not yet tarred and was still a dirt track.  It was (and still is) magical to walk through and I kept expecting Cinderella's carriage to come past me on her way to the ball.

Paper Dolls, Princess Marigold & Ladybird

Here are the remainder of the Storyland paper dolls (Hilda Miloche, Saalfield):

Princess Marigold

At the same time I first became entranced by stories like 'The Golden Ball' I was also avidly following the adventures of Princess Marigold and her family (children Prince Rupert and Princess Rose, husband Prince Strongbow and father-in-law good King Florian, not to mention numerous courtiers) as the tranquility of their kingdom was continually disrupted by the mischief making and evil machinations of wicked Wizard Weezle:

These stories first appeared (in serial form) in a weekly children's magazine called Treasure.  I no longer have copies of the originals, but many years later the stories were re-published in a popular womens' magazine in South Africa called 'You'.

Despite his best (or worst) efforts Wizard Weezle never did get the better of the good people of King Florian's kingdom, but that never stopped him from trying.

Ladybird Books

Go to this link to see more images from Ladybird Books.

The series of little Ladybird Books available in the 1960's was like a feast in miniature.  The bright colours and chocolate box art had a visual impact that was hard to resist.  The presentation was pitch perfect.  There was something extremely appealing about the size of the books, with an exquisitely detailed painting revealed on the turn of each page.  As a typical little girl I loved the princesses the most - Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel.  And what princesses they were! - Cinderella had three sumptuous gowns not one - and that was before the obligatory grand wedding.

These little books appear to have lost none of their appeal over time.  I've seen them change hands for impressive amounts on eBay where some of the bids are hotly contested. 

The Ladybird website:
http://www.vintageladybird.com/ has a lovely archive of images for anyone like me who has fond memories of these books as a child.  The prints can be found at http://www.ladybirdprints.com/ .

In the winter wonderland we have experienced recently its like living in a fairy tale of our own.  Here are a couple of photos taken in my neighbourhood: