I always found some Sixties Ladybird book covers a little creepy as a kid. All those talking animals and fairytale people.
Beauty and the Beast with its ape in a suit gave me the shivers,
especially as I always associated it with Poe's terrifying tale Hop Frog in Creepy magazine back then.
The Elves and The Shoemaker was unsettling too. Those little cobblers gave me the willies!
Did you have any thoughts about Ladybirds?
Do you collect them?
Ladybird books were a staple in our house. Ive still got Exploring Space and How it Works: The Rocket, as the painted illustrations were gorgeous. We had lots of nature ones for my sisters, but my favourites had to be 'What to Look for in Autumn' (et al) for each season. I vividly recall the painting of a lichen covered roof,with thunderous clouds in the distance and forks of lightning as swallows dip towards the eaves. Lovely paintings and always something new to find. LB books have been released as a satirical series now, with late fifties style art on How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse and other such helpful themes
ReplyDeleteI adored the art in the old LB books too. Magical, almost otherworldly. The Junior World Encyclopedias had a similar effect on me, that beautiful grainy art in them. I must admit I can't stand the new LB range like The Husband and so on. Then again I am a grumpy old b********d! I imagine that's a new LB title as well!
DeleteI never saw those
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