On illustrations
A foreword for teachers explained that: “The full-colour illustrations have been designed to create a desirable attitude towards learning – by making every child eager to read each title.
“Thus, this attractive reading scheme embraces not only the latest findings in word frequency, but also the natural interests and activities of happy children.”
The scheme introduced readers to the wholesome and idealised world of Jane, who helped Mummy make the tea, Peter who helped Daddy do manly things with cars and tool kits and their dog Pat, whose stereotypical lives were presented in the familiar small-format hardback books.
Working alongside other illustrators including Dan Dare creator Frank Hampson, Anglesey bird artist Charles Tunnicliffe and Harry Wingfield, who was instrumental in creating the distinctive look and design of the books, Berry contributed to several such as “Where We Go” and “Things We Like”.
The first book Berry illustrated in its entirety was “The Ladybird Book of London” and for fun, he painted his own, two-tone Ford estate car into a view of of the Bank of England and the Royal Exchange.
Others on France, Holland and Italy came next, followed by the famed “People at Work” series, followed by the much-loved Hannibal Hamster books, which told of the animal’s various adventures.
He also illustrated many books and book covers for Corgi, Four Square, Panther, Penguin and Readers Digest.
Berry continued at Ladybird until requests for his work began to dwindle and in the late 1980s, he returned to portraiture, counting President George Bush Senior and Diana, Princess of Wales among his subjects, again painted from photographs.
His oil paintings of native American and civil war scenes are popular among US collectors.
Collector interest in Berry’s illustrations was boosted when a selection of them was exhibited alongside the work of fellow Ladybird illustrator Martin Aitchison at the Simon Finch Gallery in London in 2004, and the following year there was a show of Berry’s work at the NEC in Birmingham.
Tennants anticipate great demand for those from his private collection, not just from baby boomers looking to relive their childhoods, but also following the release of hilarious spoof ‘Ladybirds for Grown-ups’ books, aimed at helping adults navigate modern life.
Further information: Tennants, Leyburn, North Yorks. 01969 623780.