Ladybird Expert series illustrations, by various

Ladybird has launched three Expert titles exploring complex topics, following on from its Ladybird for Grown Ups series.

The Expert titles include Climate Change, co-written by Prince Charles, Emily Shuckburgh and Tony Juniper; Evolution, by Steve Jones; and Quantum Mechanics, by Jim Al-Khalili.

The books have been illustrated by Ruth Palmer, Rowan Clifford, and Jeff Cummins respectively, with added diagrams by Dan Newman in Quantum Mechanics. The project was led by Ronnie Fairweather, creative director of Brands and Licensing at Penguin Books Ltd.

Jeff Cummins, illustrator for Quantum Mechanics, says: “I enjoyed the experience liaising with the author and the creative director, figuring out how to illustrate quantum theories and generally trying to get my head around quantum mechanics – that was quite a challenge!”

He adds that the process between authors and illustrators was “very collaborative”, and the books are a “50/50” split of text and illustration.

These illustrations range from literal interpretations of the complex subjects, to more surreal, abstract representations.

Read more about the Ladybird Expert series here.