The Ultimate Collection of Well Loved Tales 606D Series Ladybird Books: All 28 Titles in One Place
Well Loved Tales 606D Series Ladybird Books: A Classic Collection of Fairy Tales for Children
Introduction
If you grew up in the UK between the 1960s and the early 1990s, chances are you have read or owned at least one of the Well Loved Tales 606D Series Ladybird Books. These books were a series of illustrated re-tellings of fairy tales and other traditional stories that were published by Ladybird, a British publisher of children's books. They were labelled as "easy reading" and were graded depending on such aspects as their length, complexity and vocabulary. They were designed to help children learn to read and enjoy classic stories from different cultures and times.
well loved tales 606d series ladybird books
What are Well Loved Tales 606D Series Ladybird Books?
Well Loved Tales 606D Series Ladybird Books are a subset of the larger Ladybird series, which covers various topics such as history, science, nature, hobbies, etc. The 606D series focuses on fairy tales and other traditional stories, such as those by Hans Christian Andersen, the Brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault, as well as some English folk tales such as Jack and the Beanstalk and The Three Little Pigs. The series consists of 28 titles, each with a different story. The first title in the series was Cinderella, published in 1964, and the last one was The Wizard of Oz, published in 1989.
Why are they called Well Loved Tales?
The name Well Loved Tales comes from the idea that these stories are familiar and beloved by generations of readers. They are also well loved by the authors and illustrators who worked on them, who tried to capture the essence and charm of the original tales while making them accessible and appealing to modern children. The name also suggests that these books are meant to be read over and over again, as they never lose their magic and wonder.
How are they graded and formatted?
The books in the Well Loved Tales 606D Series Ladybird Books are graded into three reading "grades", according to their difficulty level. The first grade is for beginners who are just learning to read, the second grade is for intermediate readers who can read simple sentences, and the third grade is for advanced readers who can read longer texts with more complex vocabulary. Each book has a number on its spine that indicates its grade, such as 1.1 for The Elves and The Shoemaker or 2.2 for Dick Whittington and His Cat.
The books also have a distinctive format that makes them easy to recognize. They have hardcover bindings with blue pictorial paper boards that show an illustration of the main character or scene from the story. They also have a standard logo that says "Well Loved Tales" in white letters on a green background. The books are about 18 cm by 12 cm in size, and have 52 pages each. The pages are divided into two columns, with the left column containing the text and the right column containing the illustration. The illustrations are colorful and detailed, and often cover the entire page.
The History of Well Loved Tales 606D Series Ladybird Books
When and how did they start?
The Well Loved Tales 606D Series Ladybird Books started in 1964, as part of Ladybird's initiative to expand its range of children's books and cater to different age groups and interests. Ladybird was founded in 1915 by Wills & Hepworth, a printing company based in Loughborough, England. The company began to produce children's books during World War II, when paper rationing forced them to use a smaller format that could fit eight books on one sheet of paper. This format became the standard for Ladybird books, and allowed them to produce high-quality books at low prices.
Ladybird decided to launch a series of fairy tale books after noticing that there was a gap in the market for such books that were suitable for young readers. They hired Vera Southgate, a former teacher and librarian, to write the texts for the series. Southgate had a passion for children's literature and a talent for simplifying and adapting stories without losing their original flavor. She wrote the texts for the first 27 titles in the series, from Cinderella to The Big Pancake, between 1964 and 1972.
Who wrote and illustrated them?
As mentioned above, Vera Southgate was the main author of the Well Loved Tales 606D Series Ladybird Books. She was born in 1929 in Nottingham, England, and studied English at Nottingham University. She worked as a teacher and a librarian before becoming a freelance writer for Ladybird. She also wrote some other Ladybird series, such as Stories of King Arthur and His Knights and Stories from World History. She died in 2014 at the age of 85.
The illustrations for the series were done by various artists who worked for Ladybird, such as Eric Winter, Robert Lumley, Martin Aitchison, Robert Ayton and John Dyke. They used different styles and techniques to create vivid and expressive images that matched the tone and mood of the stories. Some of them also illustrated other Ladybird series, such as Peter and Jane or Key Words Reading Scheme.
How did they change over the years?
The Well Loved Tales 606D Series Ladybird Books underwent some changes over the years, both in terms of content and appearance. In 1979, with the publication of The Ugly Duckling, Pinocchio and Tom Thumb in the series, the look and format of the books changed. The books now universally featured a green spine and back cover, as well as a standard logo. The series also broke with the Ladybird tradition of having a left page of just text and a right page of just picture, and the illustrations became more stylised than the previous editions.
Under this new look, even more titles retold by a variety of different editors and authors came to be added over the course of the 1980s, with popular stories including Hansel and Gretel, The Little Mermaid and The Wizard of Oz. Some of these stories were longer and more complex than the earlier ones, and required more pages and illustrations. Some of the older titles were also re-illustrated over the years to match the new style.
The Content of Well Loved Tales 606D Series Ladybird Books
What are some of the stories included in the series?
The Well Loved Tales 606D Series Ladybird Books include some of the most famous and beloved fairy tales and traditional stories from around the world. Some of them are based on stories by well-known authors such as Hans Christian Andersen (The Ugly Duckling, The Emperor's New Clothes, Thumbelina), the Brothers Grimm (Hansel and Gretel, Rumpelstiltskin, Snow White and Rose Red) and Charles Perrault (Sleeping Beauty, Puss in Boots). Some of them are based on English folk tales such as Jack and the Beanstalk, The Three Little Pigs and Chicken Licken. Some of them are based on stories from other cultures such as The Magic Porridge Pot (a German tale), Aladdin (an Arabian tale) and The Little Mermaid (a Danish tale).
What are some of the themes and messages of the stories?
The stories in the Well Loved Tales 606D Series Ladybird Books convey various themes and messages that are relevant and meaningful for children and adults alike. Some of them teach moral lessons about honesty, kindness, courage, loyalty, etc., such as The Elves and The Shoemaker, The Three Little Pigs and The Sly Fox and the Little Red Hen. Some of them celebrate the power of imagination, creativity, curiosity and wonder, such as The Gingerbread Boy, The Magic Porridge Pot and The Wizard of Oz. Some of them explore the issues of identity, belonging, transformation and acceptance, such as The Ugly Duckling, Pinocchio and The Little Mermaid. Some of them show the importance of love, friendship, family and happiness, such as Sleeping Beauty, Puss in Boots and The Princess and the Pea.
How do they appeal to children and adults alike?
The stories in the Well Loved Tales 606D Series Ladybird Books appeal to children and adults alike because they are timeless and universal. They have elements that can capture the interest and attention of different age groups and backgrounds, such as colorful characters, exciting plots, humorous situations, dramatic twists, etc. They also have layers of meaning that can be interpreted and appreciated in different ways depending on the reader's perspective and experience. They can stimulate the emotions, imagination and intellect of both young and old readers.
The Reception and Legacy of Well Loved Tales 606D Series Ladybird Books
How popular and successful were they?
The Well Loved Tales 606D Series Ladybird Books were very popular and successful both in the UK and abroad. They sold upwards of 80 million copies worldwide , making them one of the best-selling series of children's books ever. They were translated into many different languages including Arabic, German and French. They were also widely used in schools and libraries as educational tools to help children learn to read and enjoy literature.
How did they influence other books and media?
The Well Loved Tales 606D Series Ladybird Books influenced other books and media in various ways. They inspired many other authors and illustrators to create their own versions or adaptations of fairy tales and traditional stories for children. They also influenced some of the adaptations of these stories in other media such as films, television shows, musicals, etc. For example, some of the Disney animated films such as Cinderella (1950), Sleeping Beauty (1959) and Aladdin (1992) were partly based on or influenced by the Ladybird versions of these stories.
What are some of the criticisms and controversies of the series?
The Well Loved Tales 606D Series Ladybird Books also faced some criticisms and controversies over the years. Some of them were related to the content and style of the stories, such as their accuracy, originality, simplicity or complexity. Some critics argued that the stories were too simplified or abridged from their original sources, losing some of their richness and depth. Others argued that the stories were too complex or difficult for young readers, using words or concepts that were beyond their comprehension. Some also questioned the right to retell distinctly literary fairy tales with a clear author such as Hans Christian Andersen .
Some of the criticisms and controversies were related to the illustrations and appearance of the books, such as their quality, diversity or representation. Some critics argued that the illustrations were too realistic or lifeless, not leaving much to the imagination or expression. Others argued that the illustrations were too stylised or cartoonish, not reflecting the reality or seriousness of the stories. Some also pointed out the lack of diversity or representation in the books, especially in terms of race, gender or culture .
Conclusion
and successful both in the UK and abroad, selling millions of copies and being translated into many languages. They have influenced other books and media in various ways, inspiring or influencing other adaptations of these stories. They have also faced some criticisms and controversies over the years, regarding their content, style, illustrations and representation. Despite these challenges, they remain a well loved and well respected series of children's books that have enriched the lives of many readers.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Well Loved Tales 606D Series Ladybird Books:
How many books are there in the series?
There are 28 books in the series, each with a different story.
Who wrote and illustrated the books?
The main author of the series was Vera Southgate, who wrote the texts for the first 27 books. The illustrations were done by various artists who worked for Ladybird, such as Eric Winter, Robert Lumley, Martin Aitchison, Robert Ayton and John Dyke.
What are some of the most popular stories in the series?
Some of the most popular stories in the series are Cinderella, The Three Little Pigs, The Ugly Duckling, Puss in Boots and The Wizard of Oz.
What are some of the benefits of reading these books?
Some of the benefits of reading these books are that they help children learn to read and enjoy classic stories from different cultures and times. They also teach moral lessons, stimulate imagination and intellect, and foster love for literature.
Where can I buy or read these books?
You can buy or read these books online or offline from various sources. You can find them on websites such as Amazon, eBay or AbeBooks. You can also find them in libraries, bookstores or secondhand shops.
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