Trip-Trap
May 29th, 2008
This week’s strip reminded me of my love of fairy tales and my mind went back to the earliest one I can remember – The Three Billy Goats Gruff. I was terrified by the artwork in the Ladybird edition (pictured here) but I still asked my dad to read it to me over and over and over. I think this book is responsible for a lot of the fantasy/horror sensibilities in my work. I always want to be a little bit frightened by the imagery I’m creating, even if it’s meant to be beautiful.
I still own the book, but if anyone knows where I can buy any of the original paintings (by Robert Lumley, who doesn’t seem to have a web presence) PLEASE let me know! I’ll be forever grateful.
Here’s another horrifying image.
May 29th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Oh man, I had that book as a kid. It was great stuff. :)
May 29th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
I really like how close the Lion is to his ‘ear’ whilst talking to him.. And how bringing use closer makes it that bit more uncomfortable..
I always loved stories like the The Three Billy-goats Gruff, and the bizarre European folk-tales surrounding my childhood. The trolls that tried to trick young girls away from their houses before morning, the giants and wolves and witches that had one simple foil but were terrifying anyway..
May 29th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
I had this too… I might still. I know a couple of years ago I gave a bunch of old Ladybird’s to a couple I knew who had just had a child, but I held onto the ones where I was either especially fond of the art, or that I had a particular nostolgic thing for.
May 30th, 2008 at 12:56 am
I loved the Ladybird books! :D
May 31st, 2008 at 4:33 am
I had this book, too. I remember having quite a large collection of Ladybird books, but I think my mother gave them all away at some point. The Three Billy Goats Gruff was one of my favourites, but I also remember liking The Magic Paintbrush and The Musicians of Bremen (very long for a ladybird book). The artwork in these books was impressive and at times quite distrubing. Thanks for the memories.
June 10th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
This is the first book (same version) I learned to read on my own… and I did… over and over again.
June 13th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Hi Karl,
You can buy prints from this book from the official ladybird website.. only two so far….but not originals unfortunately… it does say that the artist was Vera Southgate though?
http://www.ladybirdprints.com/category.php?catid=6239
July 4th, 2008 at 12:14 am
Oh wow! I read that book when I was a kid! Thank you for reminding me of this series – many fond memories and now I can go find them again. The artwork was scary, but so good.
October 24th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Just stumbled upon this during my own search for artwork from the book. That troll had me terrified as a youngster – trying to face my demons now…lol. Did you find any more images?
August 13th, 2009 at 9:53 am
The best way to conquer your fears would be to purchase an A0 reproduction of the troll:
http://www.ladybirdprints.com/category.php?catid=6239
This used to terrify me as a youngster too. I enjoyed having it read to me, but could never bring myself to look at the pictures. Was at least 18 before I discovered it again in my parents’ loft and appreciated the artwork fully. The definitive version of the fairy tale, as were all the Well Loved Tales in that particular series. Loved The Old Woman and Her Pig, the Gingerbread Man and The Magic Porridge Pot in particular (the purple glow of the inside of the pot was particularly mesmerising).