Kelly has had to come to terms with the idea that though they spent half their lives together, Gareth was not really paying attention for most of it.' Although these are adult books, there’s no explicit mention of sex. This caption was presumably inspired by his awkward pose in the original illustration: Elia created her own retro pictures, but Hazeley and Morris had the entire Ladybird archive to riffle through. The once cutting-edge illustrations had become a gift for pastiche. In The Ladybird Book of the Meeting – which has sold 165,000 copies – five middle-aged white men sit in earnest discussion around a table. The caption reads: “These important people are discussing work-place diversity.” The fun of the series lies in the relationship of mid-20th-century iconography aimed at children to 21st-century comedy for adults. The large clear script, the careful choice of words, the frequent repetition and the thoughtful matching of text with pictures all enable grown-ups to think they have taught themselves to cope. Featuring original Ladybird artwork alongside brilliantly funny, brand new text.

To Prof Lawrence Zeegen, dean of design at Ravensbourne College, London, and author of Ladybird by Design, published to celebrate the imprint’s centenary in 2015, the problems of the latest batch of serious Ladybird books start with the quality of the illustrations. “I think it shows how well designed and illustrated the original series were,” he says. “I understand where they are coming from, but the books do sit rather uncomfortably alongside their existing series, which utilised the original illustrations. They’ve made a reasonable stab at replicating the work, but while not terrible, it’s not nearly as good.” These great clothes make me look really interesting,' thinks Chris as he sits down at the piano to practise another slow, sad song that gets slightly louder at the end.'The Climate Change book has a rather different purpose, to campaign for change in a politically treacherous area. “It is the result,” according to co-author Prince Charles, “of a conversation I had with a friend following my return from having spoken at the opening session of the Paris Climate Change Summit that took place in December 2015.” With a comic pomposity that could pass for a spoof itself, Climate Change not only has three authors but declares itself to have been peer-reviewed by eight learned meteorologists. Why aren't I at home? Am I running away from home? Am I scared of home? Why is my brain full of weird, horrible thoughts? Is it because running is so very, very boring? The large clear script, the careful choice of words, the frequent repetition and the thoughtful matching of text with pictures all enable grown-ups to think they have taught themselves to cope. And by the time they get home, Jonathan's father might have finished being racist and fallen asleep in his liquorice allsorts.' These books are snarky, play on male and female stereotypes and epitomise a dry British sense of humour. All in they're just fun, silly books that aren't meant to be taken too seriously but are designed to put a smile on your face.

And when Donald is told it is time to stop being the President, who knows what exciting things will happen next?'They had several copies of Joshua Harris's " I Kissed Dating Goodbye." Like... at least 4. And they were in several random places throughout the section. Another reason for their success and enduring popularity is the distinctive font and style of illustration. It's my Mum & Dad's wedding anniversary today and what do you get for a couple that have been together for 34 years? Something silly of course so the Husband and Wife versions of the Ladybirds for Grown Ups How it Works series seemed like the perfect option! If you read just one of the books in this pair, you might splutter in indignation, but reading them together, I saw the balance, and smiled a little in recognition - and especially at how far most of society has moved on since I was a child.