#208: Ladybird Books and representations of the Natural World

Another Twitter account worth following for those considering teaching Natural History is the Lady Bird Fly Away Home account of Helen Day. 

She has a very large collection of Ladybird books, and has created a range of books and exhibitions celebrating the wonderful illustrators who brought the books, which will be particularly familiar to people of a certain age - such as me - to new generations who hadn't heard of S. R Badmin, Charles Tunnicliffe or Ronald Lampitt.

I would love a GCSE Natural History textbook which was presented almost in the style of the old Batsford books with Brian Cook Batsford illustrations. I hope that whoever produces the official textbook has some striking visual ideas and illustrators involved, and not just lots of stock photos and dense text.

There are quite a few who I particularly like - particularly this one from 'Plants and How they Live'. 

Lichen, algae, funghi
‘Plants and how they Live’ (1965)
Artist: Ronald Lampitt pic.twitter.com/R5etmR2C3l

— Helen Day (@LBFlyawayhome) October 2, 2023

Other work by the Ladybird artists The English Lakes British Railways poster Artist: Ronald Lampitt pic.twitter.com/6h3HAI7aC0

— Bess (@MonayiAnya) October 6, 2023

Other work of the Ladybird artists.
‘Autumn Wedding’
Artist : SR Badmin pic.twitter.com/yDmT9BFTAm

— Helen Day (@LBFlyawayhome) October 17, 2023

There are many images from these artists online as well. 

Follow the accounts mentioned here and they are posted regularly and many of them are relevant to GCSE Natural History.