The shop is run by Simon Spicer and opened on Saturday April 4. Items on sale include the new Ladybird By Design book, postcards from Ladybird, and some exclusive prints from King and McGaw. Ladybird celebrates a century this year. For 100 years, Ladybird has delighted children, parents and teachers alike, taking readers through a journey of discovery and enlightenment. For many Ladybird encompasses the innocent sunnier place of childhood. With an incredible treasure trove of over 11,000 illustrations, Ladybird has an emotional, cultural and iconic presence that captures life from the 1940s to the 1980s. Published this year, The Ladybird by Design book, written by Lawrence Zeegen, commemorates Ladybird’s 100th anniversary and is a celebration of the art and design used by the iconic publishing house over the past century. It charts the rise of the company that was initially known as Wills & Hepworth, from its origin as a small Loughborough printer through to its growth into a global publisher beloved by millions of children whose bookshelves were adorned with the infamous mini hardback books. If you want to find out more about Ladybird books, the vintage Ladybird website was re-launched in February and features some of the finest art from the collection in key capsules, including British Heritage, Fairytales, Pirates, History and Travel. A spokesman for Penguin Books said: “We feel this is a wonderful addition to our schedule of anniversary events this year, and will provide a fantastic starting point for those interested in the brand and artwork.” The website can be viewed at www.vintageladybird.com. The De La Warr Pavilion, at Bexhill has a current exhibition of original artwork from Ladybird books, as well as many of the original titles on display. The exhibition is running daily until Sunday May 10 and admission is free. The Rye shop can be found at Four Doors, 17 East Street, and will be open Thursday to Monday. Shop manager Sally Lewis said: “We will be selling Ladybird books both new and vintage.”
