Wigan Album
Ephemera
9 CommentsPhoto: Philip Gormley.
Item #: 29595
That's so special, and a joy to see. Thankyou for sharing.
The illustration reminds me slightly of Lucy Atwell's images in children's books. The kind of pictures that keep children interested. I recall the book
Of The Flowe Fairies that had me entranced- I was forever rummaging in the school desk and looking at the pictures when I should have been doing something else. I think that's where my interest in watercolour must have begun.
Ooops! The Flower Fairies by Cicely Mary Barker who I'm sure many of the ladies on here will remember. I couldn't wait to buy my granddaughter the books just so I could look at them again...still do! Along with Beatrice Potter's books and her own beautiful illustrations and not forgetting Milly Molly Mandy....who could?
Lucy Atwell: By Jove, Veronica, you've nailed it! And the images are as Irene says, "a joy to see". Universally pleasing artwork, for the child, which to this day offers sufficient pulling-power for it to compete against (and probably beat) supporting text during a chase for title of Preferred Choice ('1/4 fav, Image'). Thanks.
Veronica, I've still got my Milly-Molly-Mandy books that were bought for me from Boot's Chemists in Standishgate when I was a little girl. They used to sell books upstairs in those days. The price is still in, written in pencil...6/-.
Irene/ Philip when Roald Dahl's illustrations are compared to the above there is no comparison- although the stories are appropriate for children today and are very good. Our books were of a more innocent time. I went errands from quite a young age and used to pretend I was Milly -Molly-Mandy and my friend was always Little Friend Susan. I even had a pink striped frock! Lovely memories. You never know we might be able to pass them on to great grandchildren!
Irene/Veronica: I've just discovered that Glyn Poole had recorded the song Milly-Molly-Mandy, in 1973, when it reached No.35 in the UK Charts. It's on YouTube, of course.
Veronica, I don't know if you've seen it but I gave you a mention on the Wigan Park p-a-d a few days ago. Maureen and I used to have a bit of fun with "Johnny" and I have added you as a new recruit! (We used to get told off for 'going off the subject'!)I remember we had some nature-books at school in the late 1950s/early 1960s which also contained "farmyard"-type pictures like the above, with hayricks and big white clouds; there was something so special about them.....I think the books were of the "Blackie Readers" series. (People would even take THAT wrong these days, but "Blackie's" was simply the name of the publisher). I think the most beautiful illustrations in children's books I have ever seen are in the Ladybird "What To Look For In Spring", (followed by Summer, Autumn and Winter), series. The illustrations are superb and I have a copy of them all.
Irene/ Philip ..just listened to the song on YouTube argh! I had forgotten it -nearly as bad as Grandad by Clive Dunn! I must have left school when the Ladybird books came out but my children had them -they were very good for them learning to read. I did see the comment on PAD we are becoming quite a gang on here!! We had better watch out! : 0))......!