Ladybird Books « neverimitate

My husband reads special interest magazines, and blogs that encourage him to believe his point of view is valid and widely held. I was therefore surprised last week when he announced he had bought a book – until he showed it to me. He believes this is the perfect Secret Santa gift for a colleague. Given his line of work I suspect he may be correct – in this at least. Before wrapping, I decided to slip in a quick review.

The Ladybird Book of the Nerd, by JA Hazely and JP Morris (illustrated by various artists), is one of the latest offerings from the Ladybird Books for Grown-ups series (you may read my review of The Ladybird Book of The Meeting here). These pithy and amusing little hardbacks offer clear and entertaining text alongside original artwork from the Ladybird series’ that the grown-up readers may remember from their childhoods. To gain a flavour I offer some examples from its pages.

I ponder what it says about me that I recognise friends and acquaintances in each of these, and many more from the remaining pages. The third made me laugh especially. How must teachers regard the parents of such children, unless of course they share the interests.

Although quickly read The Nerd still entertained. That it got my husband to spend his money in a bookshop is also a big win.

Ladybird Books for grown-ups are published by Michael Joseph.

The Ladybird Book of The Meeting, by J.A. Hazeley and J.P. Morris, is one in a series of Ladybird books for grown-ups written to help them cope with the world around them. My daughter gave it to my husband on Fathers’ Day and it is the only book he has successfully finished reading this year. This probably says something about shortening attention spans in our modern world, or maybe just about him.

The layout is crisp and appealing with hardback binding and traditional illustrations that will be familiar to those who enjoyed the original Ladybird books as a child. The text is pithy and ironic, amusing to any required to attend workplace meetings. Is anyone in work not required to do this?

As the book says:

Meetings are important because they give everyone a chance to talk about work.

Which is easier than doing it.

I laughed out loud at some of the wry observations and can understand why these little books have become so popular as gifts. Booksellers often stock them close to tills and report buoyant sales which I regard as a good thing. Purchasers may even have picked up another book whilst there.

Although read in about ten minutes this was thereby granted more attention than many gifts presented to my husband over the years.

An amusing diversion that we both enjoyed. I would be happy to have further books from the series adorning my shelves.