It's the Polis!

Got another fabulous vintage Ladybird Book from my collection to show you today.  It is The Policeman from 1962 and how much of a different world does this show!  Look at those old traffic signs in the background.

Personally I think these uniforms are so much smarter, but where on earth would the modern police officer keep all their kit?

The book comes from Ladybird's Easy Reading, People at Work Series by L & J Havenhand with illustrations by John Berry.  Published by Wills & Hepworth Ltd, Loughborough, England in 1962.

Traffic duty wearing a white coat - the neon of the day!

Hope you've enjoyed this wee trip back to the 60s.

Love, Liz

Feared by the bad, loved by the good ...

I came across this vintage Ladybird book - The Ambush - A Ladybird Robin Hood Adventure.

Fabulous illustrations by John Kenney and story by Max Kester.

Being of vintage age, the mere mention of Robin Hood sets the theme tune from the 1950s Adventures of Robin Hood TV show running through my head -

Robin Hood, Robin Hood riding through the glen.

Robin Hood, Robin Hood with his band of men.

Feared by the bad, loved by the good,

Robin Hood, Robin Hood, Robin Hood.

Does anyone else remember it?  Richard Greene played the hero, Robin Hood.

Here's a reminder of the show's theme on You Tube.  Enjoy!

Love, Liz

Lovely Ladybird Books

Thought I'd share some more Ladybird Books from my (growing) collection.

Dick Whittington and his cat - a great favourite as you can see from its condition!  Story retold by Vera Southgate and illustrated by Eric Winter.  They were also responsible for the next book -another well-loved tale - Puss in Boots.

Big Animals - lots of information for children to enjoy.

Written and illustrated by John Leigh-Pemberton.

Road Sense - love the pictures in this - so dated (1977) now, but great to look at.  Written by R Collingridge and illustrated by B H Robinson.

The Vikings - such a fabulous book just full of fascinating pictures and information.  Written by Stephanie Bardon and illustrated by Richard Hook and Jon Davis.

Loved these book as a child.  My children loved them and I still love them.  They really can't be beaten for fabulous writing and illustrations.

These are my Five on Friday - come and have a look at some fabulous blogs.

Love, Liz

Star of Wonder

Two more vintage Ladybird Books from my collection - 

Baby Jesus from 1961 by Hilda L Rostron, illustrated by Clive Uptton is my favourite.  The other is The Little Lord Jesus from 1954 by Lucy Diamond, illustrated by Kenneth Inns.

My favourite illustration from them has to be this one of the wise men following the star.  The colours are just fantastic.

These sort of illustrations remind me of a Bible I used to have when I was a little girl and it had illustrations inside.

Don't tell anyone, but when I got bored at church, I would look at the pictures in my Bible - I suppose in a way they did the trick!  I might not have been listening, but I was taking something in.

Love, Liz

Vintage Roman Ladybirds

I was rearranging my Ladybird books recently and noticed that I had a "double" about Julius Caesar and Roman Britain.

Printed a couple of decades apart, it is interesting to see the different covers and the fonts used.

The first one is an early one with a paper dust jacket, the second one is from the 70s.

As usual with Ladybird Books, the illustrations are fabulous.

Love, Liz

I'll huff and I'll puff ...

One of my sons' favourite stories was The Three Little Pigs.  This Ladybird Easy Reading book shows the wear and tear of sharing this story with them possibly hundreds of times.  I must have been given the book because it dates from 1965 - trust me, I was a mere babe myself in those days!

The story is retold by Vera Southgate and the illustrations are by Robert Lumley.  Just look at the little details in all the pictures.  I love the wee mouse!

Not sure they would get away with the grisly ending these days!

Love, Liz

Ladybird Book - Learning About Heraldry

Look what I found -

A fabulous vintage Ladybird Book from 1974 - "Learning About Heraldry".

Written by A E Priestley, and illustrated by B H Robinson, it is a wonderful wee book!

Actually learned a few things from it which will stand me in good stead for all my wandering around castles.

Found any great vintage bits and pieces recently?

Love, Liz

The Story of Newspapers - Ladybird Book

My friend gave me this fabulous Ladybird Book - The Story of Newspapers.

Its from the Ladybird Achievements Book series from the late 1960s.  Written by W D Siddle, the illustrations are by R Embleton.

Love the illustrations.

Happy families!

Love, Liz

Ladybird Autumn

Here's the perfect Ladybird Book for this time of year - What To Look For In Autumn.

Words by E L Grant Watson and illustrations by C F Tunnicliffe, RA.

The colours are just wonderful.

I love these books!

Love, Liz

Remember cheese and pineapple hedgehogs?

I love this photograph from a 70s Ladybird Book - Learnabout Cooking.  The kids look as if they are starving!

Love the 70s hairstyles and kitchen decor.  Look at those dreadful mustard tiles.

Lots of recipes for children to follow, including how to make that old favourite a cheese and pineapple hedgehog.  I made one of these recently with cheese, pickled onions, spam and cubed pineapple and everyone loved it!  Sometimes you can't beat the old favourites!

Of course, being a Ladybird Book, it had some top tips for cooking.

So remember - NEVER lick your fingers!

Love, Liz