- Ladybird Book Cinderella 1964 – Front Cover
Ladybird Books remind me of some of the happiest times of my childhood. Since an early age, I have been an avid reader; anything I can lay my hands on that can be read will be read. Much of this love of reading undoubtedly comes from the Ladybird Books my mum bought me as a youngster. Each week, I was allowed to buy a new book as a treat if I’d been good (I always was…!). My face in finding a new one I wanted to read was probably very similar to this:
I actually didn’t have this edition of ‘Cinderella’ as a child: I had the more modern version. But I do remember poring over the details of Cinderella’s dresses, wishing that I could wear one of them.
- Ladybird Book Cinderella 1964 – The Mouse Footman
More recently, I seem to have seen some of the 1964 illustrations by Eric Winter popping up in various places. I bought a postcard featuring one of the pictures from Wowie Zowie a couple of months ago for the wall in my classroom. Since then, I’ve been thinking about the Cinderella pictures on and off, debating with myself whether to buy my own copy or not.
- Ladybird Book Cinderella 1964 – Her first dress
Last week I found a copy in George Street Books in Glossop and have thought about it all week… I’m so glad that I decided to get it. The illustrations are exquisite! I’ve now got grand intentions of enlarging a few and using them for displays at work, or even to frame some up for our new house. They might have to go into ‘my’ room though – I can’t imagine Aidan will like them!
‘Cinderella’ forms part of the series of ‘Well Loved Tales’, published by Ladybird Books between 1964 and the 1980s. The earlier editions, up until the 28th book ‘Tom Thumb’ were illustrated by Eric Winter, Robert Lumley and Capaldi. This edition of ‘Cinderella’ was written by Vera Southgate. Much more information can be found out at TheWeeWeb: a site devoted to Ladybird Books.
Little Owl Ski 
I love your blog. Those cinderella illustrations were viewed at a tender age and made me obsessed with ball gowns ever since, despite being a tomboy x
Wow! You have such a vintage book from ladybird series! I was writing about my next post on “Reading – a simple yet important routine” (which I have yet to published as of this minute), and saw your related Ladybird post! I love the Ladybird series and the illustrations are much better during before the 80s as compared to now. Thanks for directing me to the weeweb!!
I adored this book when I was a little girl. So many happy memories. I dreamed of the Blue & golden gowns. Thank you so much for sharing this. It made me smile 🙂
I’m so glad that it made someone else feel the same way it did me – we probably shared the same daydream! Emma x
I just watched the 2015 Cinderella movie, and remembered how much I loved this book when I was younger. Looked on the internet in images and couldn’t believe it when I saw this picture. Thanks for sharing