Loughborough home of Ladybird Books gets green plaque

The green plaque has been erected in Angel Yard, Loughborough

A green plaque has been unveiled at the original home of Ladybird Books to mark the firm's centenary.

The plaque was erected by Leicestershire County Council in Angel Yard, Loughborough, at the site where the books were printed from 1915-1973.

Printers Wills and Hepworth started experimenting with "pure and healthy literature for children" during World War One.

The firm registered the Ladybird imprint in 1915.

One hundred years on, and the brand is now part of Penguin Children's Books.

Wills and Hepworth had experimented with printing books for children during downtime at the firm

Peter Lewis, from the county council, said it was important to mark Ladybird's place in Loughborough's history.

He said: "It's one of those things people are so used to it is sometimes taken for granted."

He added the plaque would act as a reminder of how innovative the books were.

Many children learned to read with Peter and Jane in the Key Words Reading Scheme books

Rockets, nuclear power, animals and learn with mother were all popular themes

Caroline Alexander, daughter of Douglas Keen, who was editorial director of Ladybird Books for many years, said: "I'm really proud the whole history of Ladybird Books is being acknowledged and is still remembered in Loughborough.

"So many people acknowledge Ladybird Books for helping them to read and inspiring their interests," she added.

100 years of Ladybird Books

• Wills & Hepworth produced the very first Ladybird book titles during the First World War, including Tiny Tots Travels and Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales

• An animal series including Bunnikins and Downy Duckling was an instant hit with children during the Second World War

• Following this, Ladybird took a great step forward and expanded into educational non-fiction

• The Learnabout books of the 1960s helped children to develop new interests, but Ladybird's focus on non-fiction brought some unusual results. How it Works: The Motor Car (published in 1965) was used by Thames Valley police driving school as a general guide.

• With the 1980s, Ladybird broke away from now established tradition to produce many different formats. The Charles and Diana wedding book in 1981 - produced in five days and first on the streets - sold one and a half million copies

• The company has also had to adapt its titles as attitudes have changed - In the 'People at Work' series - popular in the 1960s - men did nearly all the jobs

• Today, Ladybird's portfolio includes Peppa Pig and Hello Kitty