The Wonderful World of the Ladybird Book Artists

Maintaining a remarkably resilient layout, Ladybird books paired images (on the right) with words (on the left) in a punch-packing symbiosis between writer and illustrator. The slender, durable hardbacks encapsulated much of British history in the 20th century, fearlessly tackling subjects as complex and varied as prehistoric Britain, nuclear power, Florence Nightingale, Arthurian legends, and Pope John Paul II. From 1964, Peter and Jane were introduced in the Key Words to Reading series. The Ladybird story is a series of snapshots of the world as seen through the eyes of the artists, documenting attitudes and assumptions, as the books tried to keep pace with a fast-changing world.

Curated by Ladybird expert and enthusiast Helen Day, this visually rich exhibition consists of an unparalleled collection of books for visitors to browse through and share. It features original artwork and artefacts, and reveals the models and locations that the artists used for their work. For many children growing up during this period, the Ladybird illustrations - fully realised scenes, packed with colour and detail - might have been the first art they ever saw, and the pictures retain the power to evoke strong memories of childhood.

'For many years now, I’ve been interested in the history of Ladybird books and in the artists who illustrated them. I began as a collector but my interest soon broadened into a desire to understand better the social history that the books contain. Ladybird books illustrated many childhoods, and the Ladybird artists gave us an interpretation of the 20th century in bright colour and careful detail.' - Helen Day, collection owner and curator