If *MST3K did Ladybird books, they might look something like this!

Kudos to Ladybird for throwing caution to the wind and producing this range of mock-educational school books.
The books are funny enough for a one time read.
One wonders if the decision to use Ladybird's extensive image archive was largely based on cost saving, rather than commissioning new artists. I suspect it was a major factor.
The idea of recycling stock images alongside inappropriate comments is nothing new. Lets face it school children have been writing their own comments in schoolbooks for years. No doubt this is where the idea came from.
As a result of only using existing stock photos, the humour is often a bit hit and miss. Some collaborations between the vintage pictures and the new wording work to great comic effect, others seem a bit forced as the authors try a bit too hard. some just seem to delve into the realm of total surrealism, such as pages 46-47 "For younger people, a hangover's symptoms are mainly physical...etc." To which the author has placed the rather Magritte like images of 1) an army issue rifle 2) a 'Way Out' road sign. I have to admit, the joke was lost on me. Perhaps you need to be a little drunk to appreciate it.
None the more for that, the book is still worth a few chuckles from the sober person; or side splitting laughter after a few drinks with friends.

* Mystery Science Theatre 3,000 ( )

The Bacon Panacea

This Fireside Grown Up Guide to the Hangover is one of series of four this fall. It juxtaposes 2016 knowledge and customs with early 1960s English tableaux, which is a perfect combination for someone with a hangover. Every page has humorous fact, often having to do with bacon it seems, plus an illustration of what it was like in the 60s. In England. Hazely and Morris (and their cast of artists) score point after point with pinpoint accuracy.

My favorite: Prepare a hangover first aid kit of a banana and a pint of water to put by your bedside before going out for an evening’s drinking. When you wake fully dressed the next morning, you can look at the untouched glass and the uneaten banana and wonder left them there, and why.

Would that it were this simple.

David Wineberg ( )

A fun little book, tongue in cheek, with old Ladybird style drawings. Not a lot to say about it, mildly snarky and raised a smile here & there ( )