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One of the most appealing aspects of the Ladybug books is of course the wondeful illustrations. We still have limited information on the illustrators. There were several, but a few illustrators worked on a large number of the different titles. One of the most important certainly was Martin Aitchison. One interesting aspect of the Ladybug books is that because they were published over several decades, that the editors decided to update the illustrations over time. This was especially true of the various reading scheme books which sought to depict the every day life of the children actually learning to read. As a result, some of the updated illustrations provide interesting examples of changing fashion trends.
One of the most appealing aspects of the Ladybug books is of course the wondeful illustrations. The illustrations are of course especially appealing to younger readers and provide a subtle incentive to read the text for details about what is happening in the illustrations. Here the colorful cheerful illustrations were especially appealing to the young Ladybug readers. The reading scheme illustrations are of particular interest to HBC because the illustrations were designed to illustrate contemprary experiences. The fashions depicted are thus accurate depictions of contemporary styles.
Ladybird utilized the skill of good artists and illustrators to enhance the topics covered and thereby encourage the readers to pursue the subject matter further. We still have limited information on the illustrators. There were several, but a few illustrators worked on a large number of the different titles. One of the most important certainly was Martin Aitchison.
The different Ladybug books, especially the Reading Scheme series depicted all the different fashions of contemporary British boys. The mnany books and illustrations provide a wide variety of views of contemporary fashions including a wide range of grments. Books in the 1960s show boys wearing short trousers, kneocks, and strap shoe. By the 1970s, Ladybug illustraions showed boys wearing jeans and running shoes.
One interesting aspect of the Ladybug books is that because they were published over several decades, that the editors decided to update the illustrations over time. This was especially true of the various reading scheme books which sought to depict the every day life of the children actually learning to read. Ladybirds 'Key Words Reading Scheme' aimed at students to teach them the basics of English grammar started in the early 1960s and this series (of many) was still in press in the 70s. In order to keep the artwork contemporary, the same illustrator would have to update his illustrations to keep the books in line with the current generation of children so that they could relate to the English tutorial given in the book As a result, some of the updated illustrations provide interesting examples of changing fashion trends.
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