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Bawden’s Beastly Books:
Morality Tales about Animals and Insects
with other contributions to children’s illustration.
A Talk by Alan Powers
28 September 2026, Art Workers’ Guild, 6 Queen Square, London, WC1
Booking is Essential
£5 for subscribing IBIS members, £12 for non-members and guests.
Venue opens at 6.30pm. Talk starts at 7.00pm.
Drinks and canapés included.
Snails for All and other publications from No Pattern will be on sale.
A Celebration for Book Lovers
Hosted by the Alliance of Literary Societies
3 October 2026, Birmingham & Midland Institute, 9 Margaret St, Birmingham B3 3BS
IBIS will be represented with a stand with publications available.
A great opportunity to explore the rich world of literary communities, meet fellow enthusiasts and hear from distinguished literary figures. There will be short talks from some societies and special guests James Naughtie, Lindsey Davies, Liz Berry, Gyles Brandeth and Frank Cottrell-Boyce.
Registration is Required
Exhibitions
Noel Carrington: Nothing Need Be Ugly
The Higgins, Bedford
On until 2 September 2026
Curated by writer and publisher Joe Pearson, this exhibition tells the story of publishing’s unsung hero Noel Carrington (1895-1989).
Edward Bawden - Snails for All
The Higgins, Bedford
On until 13 June 2027
In 1945, after returning from his duties as a War Artist in the Middle East, Edward Bawden wrote and illustrated a book about snails for his two young children called Snails for All. Last year The Higgins Bedford was gifted this amazing book for The Edward Bawden Archive. To celebrate this new acquisition the exhibition, of the same name, shows each page of the book alongside other works from the collection.
This book has been published for the first time in 2026. IBIS will be holding a meeting based on Bawden's children's book illustrations later in the year. Full details will be posted on this page.
Olga Lehmann - a Versatile and Vivacious Artist
Fry Gallery, Saffron Walden
12 July to 25 October 2026
An exhibition showcasing the work of Olga Lehmann whose diverse artistic talents embraced portraiture, mural design, World War Two artwork, graphic design, and film, television and theatre costume and set design.
The Wonderful World of the Ladybird book artists
Mansfield Museum, Nottinghamshire
25 July to 31 December 2026
A touring exhibition featuring hundreds of vintage Ladybird books and original watercolour illustrations, curated by ladybird book expert Helen Day.