Beatrix Potter
Beatrix Potter was born in London in 1866. She was educated at home by her governess, and showed an early love of art and nature. In 1893 she sketched out her "Tale of Peter Rabbit" in a letter to the son of one of her governesses, and eight years later she had the work privately published in an edition of 250 copies. A trade edition was later issued by Frederick Warne who published all her subsequent picture books. She died in 1943.
We always have Beatrix Potter books available and will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.
Enid Blyton
Enid Blyton was born in London in 1897 and spent her childhood in Beckenham. After school she studied to be a nursary school teacher, and began submitting poems and stories to magazines.
Her first book was a volume of poems called "Child Whispers" and was published in 1922, and countless other books followed, including her famous Secret Seven, Famous Five and Noddy books.
She died in 1968 and is remembered as one of the most well-read childrens arthurs of the twentieth century. We have a large collection of Enid Blyton books available.
Ladybird books
Ladybird books were created by Loughborough bookseller Henry Wills who launched the logo in 1915. The first book was "Little Stories for Little People" which was annual-sized and was published in 1916. This size book continued for many years although the exact number and many of the titles are unknown as records were lost.
The paper shortage during the Second World War meant that the Ladybird books were published in the distinctive pocket-sized version. The first of these was "Bunnikin's Picnic Party" in 1940, valued at about £80. It was issued with a dust jacket, although later editions/issues have no jacket.
We normally have over 50 Ladybird books available at any one time, some rare. There are many series available including many fairy stories, plants nature and seasons, science and technology, jobs and careers, kings and queens, history, geography and many many more....
