For the Love of Ladybirds

Ladybird books can trace their history back to 1867 when Henry Wills opened a bookshop in Loughborough, Leicestershire. Within 10 years Henry Wills had progressed to printing and publishing guidebooks and street directories, later the company changed their name to Wills & Hepworth when he was joined in 1904 by William Hepworth.

The first Ladybird books for children appeared in 1915 and from the start the ladybird logo was used at first with open wings and then later the more familiar closed winged ladybird in the 1950’s. Since then the famous logo has undergone several changes the latest logo appearing in 2006. However Wills & Hepworth despite using a ladybird as their logo didn’t change their name until 1971. During the 1960’s and 70’s the Ladybird “Key Words Ready Scheme” which was launched in 1964 was commonly found in many British primary schools.

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In the 1960’s Ladybird launched a series of non-fiction titles one of which - How it Works -The Computer” was rumoured to have been issued to MOD personnel.

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