The Ladybird phenomenon: the publishing craze that's still flying

The Books for Grown Ups series is worth nearly £30m – so it’s no wonder that retro books for ‘kids’ have spread to other publishers. Now, serious subjects are getting the toilet-book treatment, too In 1971, a book about the computer was published under the children’s imprint Ladybird as part of a series designed to show schoolchildren “How it Works”. In common with 645 other titles published between 1940 and 1980, it was a small hardback with 56 pages. It was one of the first Ladybirds to be sold in decimal currency, costing 24p, after decades of the books being pegged at 2/6.“If you are interested in computers, their function and operation, but are discouraged by their complexity, you should read this book,” said the introduction. “It deals as simply as possible with the principles and does not delve too deeply into electronics.” Though it was intended for “older students,” which means ages 7+ in Ladybird parlance, legend has it that it was so well regarded that 100 copies were ordered by the Ministry of Defence to be circulated among its staff in plain wrapping so they wouldn’t know they were reading a book intended for kids. Related: The best Ladybird illustrations ever! Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2017-02-21 00:00:00 UTC ]

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The Ladybird phenomenon: the publishing craze that's still flying

The Books for Grown Ups series is worth nearly £30m – so it’s no wonder that retro books for ‘kids’ have spread to other publishers. Now, serious subjects are getting the toilet-book treatment, too In 1971, a book about the computer was published under the children’s imprint Ladybird as part of... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2017-02-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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England: A Fly on the Wall on the Publishers Association’s Climate Pledge

Independent press Fly on the Wall signs the UK Publishers Association's 'Publishing Declares' effort to address the climate crises. The post England: A Fly on the Wall on the Publishers Association’s Climate Pledge appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2024-01-16 20:39:11 UTC ]
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Ladybird's Cullen appointed Quarto group publisher for children's trade

Shannon Cullen is leaving Ladybird to join Quarto as group publisher for children's trade. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-12-14 03:27:34 UTC ]
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Flying Eye Books to publish third from Grill

Flying Eye Books will publish Bandoola: The Great Elephant Rescue, the publisher's third collaboration with author and illustrator William Grill.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-03-03 04:44:33 UTC ]
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Ladybird promotes Grosart to publisher as Stowell departs

Ladybird has promoted editorial director Lou Grosart to the role of publisher for its trade list, succeeding Louie Stowell who is leaving the role to dedicate more time to her writing career. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-11-30 13:02:19 UTC ]
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Publishers Worry as Ebooks Fly off Libraries' Virtual Shelves

Checkouts of digital books from a popular service are up 52 percent since March. Publishers say their easy availability hurts sales. Continue reading at Wired

[ Wired | 2020-10-01 11:00:00 UTC ]
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Walker Books lands Ladybird publisher Stowell's Norse Gods series

Walker Books has landed a “brilliantly funny” diary-style Norse Gods series, written and illustrated by Ladybird publisher Louie Stowell. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-07-29 18:05:48 UTC ]
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Ladybird flies across the pond for US collaboration

Ladybird is to partner with its PRH US sister company Penguin Young Readers to develop books for the American market. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-05-27 15:20:05 UTC ]
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How the ‘brainy’ book became a publishing phenomenon

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[ The Guardian | 2018-07-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Fire and Fury flies off shelves, with publisher rushing to print 1m copies

Michael Wolff’s headline-grabbing exposé of the US president’s administration has been selling out on both sides of the Atlantic in its first days on saleBookshops are scrambling to get their hands on copies of Michael Wolff’s Donald Trump exposé, after a threat of legal action from the US... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2018-01-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Walliams' Midnight Gang surpasses 400k as the Ladybirds fly up the chart

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[ The Bookseller | 2016-12-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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McCann recruited as Ladybird publisher

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[ The Bookseller | 2016-08-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Toy Fair 2016: The Adult Publishing Coloring Craze Hits the Toy Industry

One of the most notable themes at this year’s New York International Toy Fair emanated from publishing: adult coloring books. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-02-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Porter Anderson sets up Wednesday's #EtherIssue live Twitter discussion with a look at perceptions of self-publishing: Hard? Easy? What does it take to do well? Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

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Ladybird to publish Hello Kitty

Written By: Charlotte Williams Publication Date: Tue, 21/06/2011 - 08:00 Ladybird is to publish a range of Hello Kitty pre-school titles, having acquired UK rights from Fluid World, UK agent for Hello Kitty brand owner Sanrio. Ladybird will publish a range of formats for 0-3-year-olds,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-06-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ladybird to publish Peter Andre

Written By: Charlotte Williams Publication Date: Tue, 14/06/2011 - 15:12 Ladybird Books is to publish a series of pre-school children's books in collaboration with singer and TV star Peter Andre. Publishing director Eric Huang, who bought world English language rights, excluding North America,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-06-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Spain: Publishers Report 211 Publishers at Frankfurt, Turnover Rising

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Despite the publishing industry’s grim outlook, many outliers are simultaneously fighting to change and reluctantly accepting the status quo. Continue reading at Digiday

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Belarus's Januškevič Publishing House Receives 2024 AAP Freedom to Publish Award

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The State of Publishing, As Seen From the Inside: Notes from the 2024 Publishers Weekly U.S. Book Show

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