The Ladybird books for grown-ups series are Vintage looking books with modern wit created by J.A. Hazeley and J.P. Morris for Penguin Random House. They are ideal gifts for Christmas, perfect stocking fillers for those adults who are not generally avid readers and love munching on large clear texts with humour.
Authors Jason Hazeley and Joel Morris present the smash-hit Ladybird Books for Grown Ups series, the publishing phenomenon that has seized the country’s imagination. With simple, large, clear script and gentle images that act as a soothing reminder of a simpler time, they’re just like the ones you remember, only with a few more references to “upskilling”, environmentalism, the Department of Transport and gin.
I’d say it’s British self deprecating humour at its best. I am a book worm and I can read them all in half hour but for those who don’t like reading long books filled with endless descriptions these little ‘manuals’ are really handy and perfect on a travel by train or plane. They are small enough in their A6 format to fit any luggage. My favourite of all is probably The sickie. I won’t read that on public transport then to avoid laughing too loud as that is really funny.
Here are are my comments on a few of these booklets. I won’t say too much as it will otherwise spoil the surprise that each one contains.
The sickie
This is one of my favourite booklets of the Christmas release by ladybird and triggered real loud laughs at every page turn. Think of all possible excuses for taking a sickie and beyond the usual ones. Everybody will love this booklet maybe with the exception of business owners. I might be wrong though as they might find It extremely useful to turn into very unforgiving employers, ah ah.
The people next door
I have always found Nightmare neighbours stories hilarious maybe because I have never had such bad neighbours. From mysterious to eccentric neighbours from hell this booklet covers all these stories with great irony.
Red tape
This booklet is my least favourite of this series simply because Paperwork and admin are things many people dislike including me. This books explains the struggle to deal with red tape with a pinch of humour snd irony. It also showcases what happens when red tape fails to deliver and people’s disappointment in a comical way with funnily absurd scenarios we all are too familiar with.
The mum
Read my review of this Ladybird book for adults which is one of my favourite of the whole series:
How it Works: The Mum – Funny #Vintage ‘manual’
