Timeshift documentary about Ladybird books, which once informed people on such diverse subjects as how magnets work and what to look for in winter, but also helped to teach many to read.
To millions of people, Ladybird books were as much a part of childhood as battery-powered torches and warm school milk. These now iconic pocket-sized books once informed us on such diverse subjects as how magnets work, what to look for in winter and how to make decorations out of old eggshells. But they also helped to teach many of us to read via a unique literacy scheme known as 'key words'. Ladybird books were also a visual treat - some of the best-known contemporary illustrators were recruited to provide images which today provide a perfect snapshot of the lost world of Ladybirdland: a place that is forever the gloriously ordinary, orderly 1950s.
Last on
Clips
![]()
A part of our history
Duration: 01:57
![]()
The first Ladybird books
Duration: 02:17
![]()
The Ladybird illustrators
Duration: 03:00
![]()
Ladybirdland
Duration: 03:03
Music Played
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes
![]()
00:15Seth Lakeman
Ghost of You
![]()
00:17Hans Zimmer
Driving Miss Daisy (End Titles)
![]()
00:48Josh Ritter
Lark
Read the TV Blog
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Narrator | Miles Jupp |
| Director | Merryn Threadgould |
| Producer | Merryn Threadgould |
| Series Producer | William Naylor |
Broadcasts
- Sun 22 Dec 201321:00
- Sun 2 Nov 201419:00
- Mon 3 Nov 201402:50
- Wed 3 Jun 201503:00
- Thu 27 Aug 201500:55
- Thu 11 Feb 201602:00
- Thu 4 Aug 201601:00
- Tue 18 Apr 201701:00
- Mon 6 Aug 201801:00
- Thu 24 Jan 201923:00
- Tue 9 Jul 201902:00
- Sun 10 May 202023:30
