Who remembers long car journeys or walks accompanied by i-SPY books? These wonderful wee books are as much a part of my childhood memories as Blue Peter and Sherbet pips.
i-SPY books were first published in 1948 when creator, Charles Warrell, began selling small paperbacks versions in his local Woolworths. In the the 1950s the books were supported by News Chronicle and then published by the Daily Mail until the late 1980s when publication was taken over by Michelin. Since then i-SPY has found a new home at Collins.
I remember the books in the 1970s, although I confess I had no idea they were still being published.
Apparently, there are currently more than 50 i-SPY books available to buy in the series, with more than half a million sold in the UK.
i-SPY London Then and Now.
Laura Waddell, children’s reference publisher at Collins said: “We are happy that these guides are still going strong 70 years on and at their heart, i-SPY books encourage children – and adults – to have fun paying attention to curiosities all around them, as well as learning more about the world beyond their doorstep.
“As a publisher there is nothing more rewarding than thinking of another generation finding small joys and discovering new interests with these books as their guide.”
Collins celebrate 70 years of i-SPY books
To celebrate 70 years of i-SPY, Collins are giving away a limited edition of i-SPY badges to customers who complete their i-SPY guides. This will be an exclusive limited run of 500 collectors’ edition badges.
The 50 i-SPY books include new guides for 2018: i-SPY at the shops, i-SPY garden birds, i-SPY butterflies and moths and i-SPY In the city.
i-SPY books are co-published by Collins and Michelin and are available at £2.99 from Collins and all good booksellers.