Talking to visitors about an exhibition of Ladybird books may sound like a lesson in nostalgia. Many adults remember Ladybird books fondly, whether the Peter and Jane learning to read or the nature series on what is in the garden in spring, summer, autumn and winter.
The exhibition covers the heyday of Ladybird publishing between 1940s and the 1980s, but what about young families now? Will young children of Bath & North East Somerset have read these colourful books?
As soon as we booked this lovely exhibition the gallery team began working on a plan to collaborate with the Library Service. We contacted the team at Bath Central Library and looked at the ways they engaged their visitors with books, spotting that story-time is an essential part of their service.
As an art gallery we have temporary and the permanent collection exhibitions developed for the people of Bath and North East Somerset, alongside tourists and national visitors. We have been focussing on families as key visitors, offering free activities during school holidays, check out our website for what’s on: victoriagal.org.uk/events. Earlier in the year we welcomed families to the gallery to listen to stories and see the lovely pictures at Toddler Thursdays story time.
Bath Central Library was so helpful with their resources, including supporting the gallery to get a special lending card for borrowing books to read during our sessions, story sack resources and cushions to help make story time special.
The Wonderful World of Ladybird Books exhibition is open from 19 January to 14 April 2024, 10.30 – 17.00. Free entry for Discovery Card holders.