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 ]
News tagged with: #imprint ladybird

Other Publishing stories related to: 'The Ladybird phenomenon: the publishing craze that's still flying'


Andersen Press to publish Douglass US bestseller in UK

Andersen Press has acquired Ryan Douglass' New York Times bestseller The Taking of Jake Livingston, a YA ghostly thriller with a Black, LGBT+ lead. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-10-12 13:17:38 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #andersen press


Sally Rooney won’t release new bestseller in Israel, publisher says, intensifying debate on cultural boycott

The Irish author of "Beautiful World, Where Are You" has been open about her opposition to Israeli government policies. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2021-10-12 11:46:18 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #beautiful world #irish author


Nevermind, Osman: Dave Grohl learns to fly at the top of the chart

Dave Grohl's The Storyteller (Simon & Schuster) has rocked straight into the UK Official Top 50 number one spot in its first week on sale, selling 50,367 copies through Nielsen BookScan's Total Consumer Market. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-10-12 01:06:45 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #dave grohl #nielsen bookscan #nielsen


French publishers opt for Frankfurt collective stand

A total of 107 publishers will be present on the 1,000 square metre International Bureau of French Publishing (BIEF) stand at the Frankfurt Book Fair, including market leaders Hachette Livre and Editis.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-10-11 11:50:34 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #hachette livre #french publishing


A Frankfurt Conference Interview: Siv Bublitz on Publishing ‘Books That Speak to Each Other’

Siv Bublitz, speaking in the digital Frankfurt Conference on Oct 12, has led S. Fischer to optimize its editorial and book publishing strategy. The post A Frankfurt Conference Interview: Siv Bublitz on Publishing ‘Books That Speak to Each Other’ appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-10-10 01:16:33 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishing books #book publishing


Lyall Grant joins Joffe Books as Severn House appoints new publisher

Severn House publisher Kate Lyall Grant is joining Joffe Books as publishing director, to be succeeded at Severn House by Joanne Grant. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-10-08 16:06:12 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Quadrille's Hughes appointed first UK publisher at Murdoch Books

Murdoch Books has appointed Céline Hughes to the newly created role of UK publisher. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-10-08 12:39:26 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #uk publisher #murdoch books


It's Official: Book Publishing Sales Held at $25 Billion in 2020

The Association of American Publishers released its final report on 2020 industry sales today and the figures show another flat year, with sales down 0.2% compared to 2019, slipping to $25.71 billion. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-10-08 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #final report #figures show #flat year #2% compared #book publishing


In Focus: Immigration in Book Publishing

Publishers discuss immigration and the role of book publishing in understanding the American experience. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-10-08 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #american experience #book publishing


Before You Go to Frankfurt: Trade Publishing in Focus

Coming up to speed: The Frankfurt Conference track on Tuesday brings world trade publishing points into sharp focus ahead of Buchmesse 2021. The post Before You Go to Frankfurt: Trade Publishing in Focus appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-10-06 13:13:45 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #trade publishing


Get the Jump on Frankfurt: A Concise Preparation for Academic Publishing

Know before you go: The Frankfurt Conference tracks on Monday and Tuesday will orient you quickly and efficiently to Buchmesse 2021. The post Get the Jump on Frankfurt: A Concise Preparation for Academic Publishing appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-10-06 11:42:17 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #academic publishing


Return of Live PNBA Delights Pacific Booksellers, Publishers

The Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association convened the first in-person fall regional conference to take place since the start of the pandemic in Portland, Ore., this week, attracting 180 booksellers, 150 publishers and 50 authors. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-10-06 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #booksellers association


ALPSP launches careers hub for scholarly publishing community

The Association of Learned & Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP) has launched a new careers hub for the scholarly publishing community.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-10-05 05:43:24 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #scholarly publishing


Incest story by Pinocchio author published in English for the first time

Carlo Collodi’s version of Donkey Skin, by French author Charles Perrault, will appear in a new collection of Italian fairytalesCarlo Collodi is remembered today for Pinocchio, his 1881 children’s story about a puppet who turns into a real boy, immortalised on screen by Disney. Now another... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2021-10-01 13:46:15 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #donkey skin #real boy #20th century #nobel prize #french author


Where Have All the Midsize Book Publishers Gone?

The ever-consolidating U.S. trade publishing market is increasingly characterized by five dominant publishers, scores of small presses, and few midsize players. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-10-01 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #small presses #trade publishing


Lightning strikes back-catalogue deal with self-published star May

Lightning Books has acquired bestselling self-published novelist Nicola May's back catalogue. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-09-30 19:55:17 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #lightning books #back catalogue


New Support for SDG13: Publishing-Related Organizations Commit to Climate Action

The agreement between these international organizations calls for discussions, opening at Frankfurter Buchmesse and leading up to COP26. The post New Support for SDG13: Publishing-Related Organizations Commit to Climate Action appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-09-30 07:30:18 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #climate action #frankfurter buchmesse


Educational publishers win injunction against unlicensed e-book sites

Educational publishers Macmillan Learning, Cengage Group, Elsevier, McGraw Hill and Pearson have obtained a preliminary injunction against 60 websites that sell illegal, unlicensed copies of e-books.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-09-28 14:17:26 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #mcgraw hill #preliminary injunction #pearson #e-book


Pavilion to publish first cookbook by chef and YouTuber Big Has

Pavilion Books has acquired Home, the first cookbook from chef Hasan Semay, better known on social media as Big Has.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-09-28 05:07:14 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #pavilion books #cookbook


Grupo Planeta Is Relaunching U.S. Publishing Division

Planeta, the largest Spanish-language publisher in the world, is relaunching its publishing program in the U.S. The new division will be based in Miami and led by Cristóbal Pera, formerly editorial director of Vintage Español. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-09-28 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #grupo planeta #publishing division #vintage espaol #publishing program #planeta