What do you think?
Rate this book
Ladybird Books for Grown-Ups
How it Works: The Wife
The perfect gift for your long-suffering wife or prospective bride. Or, for any fool of a husband or seriously deluded groom-to-be who hasn't yet understood what he's signed up for.
Tina is getting married. It is the best day of her life.
Next year, she will claim that becoming a mother was the best day of her life, but only because she was on some very strong drugs.
Neither is true. The best day of her life was on her eighth birthday, when she got a yellow bike.
The wife likes surprises.
Her favourite sort is a surprise birthday party.
It is the husband's job to organise this surprise for her, and to keep her informed of every detail about it.
This delightful book is the latest in the series of Ladybird books which have been specially planned to help grown-ups with the world about them.
The large clear script, the careful choice of words, the frequent repetition and the thoughtful matching of text with pictures all enable grown-ups to think they have taught themselves to cope. Featuring original Ladybird artwork alongside brilliantly funny, brand new text.
Tina is getting married. It is the best day of her life.
Next year, she will claim that becoming a mother was the best day of her life, but only because she was on some very strong drugs.
Neither is true. The best day of her life was on her eighth birthday, when she got a yellow bike.
The wife likes surprises.
Her favourite sort is a surprise birthday party.
It is the husband's job to organise this surprise for her, and to keep her informed of every detail about it.
This delightful book is the latest in the series of Ladybird books which have been specially planned to help grown-ups with the world about them.
The large clear script, the careful choice of words, the frequent repetition and the thoughtful matching of text with pictures all enable grown-ups to think they have taught themselves to cope. Featuring original Ladybird artwork alongside brilliantly funny, brand new text.
56 pages, Hardcover
First published October 29, 2015
6 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
October 17, 2016
"I see," says Father. "So it's not a proper children's book, is it? I should have noticed that."
Father isn't paying attention. He is really thinking about sexting his mistress.
"You are wrong," says Mother. "It is a children's book. Since the invention of the smartphone, people can no longer get through anything more challenging than a long Facebook post. But because this unsubtle spoof contains references to sex, alcohol and drugs, they can convince themselves that they have a reading age of more than nine."
"Yes dear," says Father.
Father isn't paying attention. He is really thinking about sexting his mistress.
"You are wrong," says Mother. "It is a children's book. Since the invention of the smartphone, people can no longer get through anything more challenging than a long Facebook post. But because this unsubtle spoof contains references to sex, alcohol and drugs, they can convince themselves that they have a reading age of more than nine."
"Yes dear," says Father.
October 24, 2019
Like most Brits of my age, Ladybird books were a staple of my childhood, and I still have many at home: inexpensive, varied subjects (fiction, history, science, general knowledge), different reading levels, hard covered, and conveniently small.
Another reason for their success and enduring popularity is the distinctive font and style of illustration.
“The authors would like to thank the illustrators whose work they have so mercilessly ribbed, and whose glorious craftsmanship was the set-dressing of their childhoods. The inspiration they sparked has never faded.”
However, modern children are unlikely to find them appealing, so Penguin Books commissioned humorous new titles for adults, but using artwork from the original children’s books. Titles include: The Shed, The Hipster, Mindfulness, The Meeting, and The Zombie Apocalypse. See list here.
These spoofs have been so successful, there are spoofs of the spoofs - which are far better than this. See Dungbeetle’s We Go To The Gallery, which I reviewed HERE.
I think these Ladybirds will only appeal to those who want to indulge and gently prod fond childhood memories, and I doubt many would want to read more than a handful. I think two is my limit. The titles and concept are more fun than the content (except for some of the small print). The exception is A Ladybird Book About Donald Trump (my review HERE).
Stereotype Alert
All the humour in the Husband and Wife books is based on the sort of gently demeaning stereotypes - of men and women - that were common when the pictures were drawn, when mother-in-law jokes and Benny Hill were all the rage. Not so zeitgeisty now: what was once mainstream now feels easy but risky.
If you read just one of the books in this pair, you might splutter in indignation, but reading them together, I saw the balance, and smiled a little in recognition - and especially at how far most of society has moved on since I was a child.
There are two illustrations that appear in both books - but with different words. Here’s one:
The Wife
Wives need wine and chocolate to cope with husbands and children. Well, I don’t like chocolate, and I prefer gin to wine, but wine will do. And friends (yes!) and shopping (not so much).
Hints about sex are even vaguer and more euphemistic in this than The Husband. And not sufficient to raise a smile.
Spoiler alert:
The Husband
I’m not sure what to make of the fact my father and his partner gave me this as a stocking-filler at Christmas!
You can guess the gist: a husband just needs sausages, beer, and time to indulge hobbies, like watching sport. He doesn’t care about his clothes, finds it difficult to express his feelings, and rarely listens to, let alone remembers, what his wife says. I’m not offended, but I don’t find that funny.
Although these are adult books, there’s no explicit mention of sex. This caption was presumably inspired by his awkward pose in the original illustration:
I was also amused to recognise one of the illustrations. It’s of a Scotsman in a kilt, coming into a house, bearing a piece of coal. He’s first-footing, and it was in a Ladybird book about traditional customs around the UK (possibly Stories of Special Days and Customs).
Another reason for their success and enduring popularity is the distinctive font and style of illustration.
“The authors would like to thank the illustrators whose work they have so mercilessly ribbed, and whose glorious craftsmanship was the set-dressing of their childhoods. The inspiration they sparked has never faded.”
However, modern children are unlikely to find them appealing, so Penguin Books commissioned humorous new titles for adults, but using artwork from the original children’s books. Titles include: The Shed, The Hipster, Mindfulness, The Meeting, and The Zombie Apocalypse. See list here.
These spoofs have been so successful, there are spoofs of the spoofs - which are far better than this. See Dungbeetle’s We Go To The Gallery, which I reviewed HERE.
I think these Ladybirds will only appeal to those who want to indulge and gently prod fond childhood memories, and I doubt many would want to read more than a handful. I think two is my limit. The titles and concept are more fun than the content (except for some of the small print). The exception is A Ladybird Book About Donald Trump (my review HERE).
Stereotype Alert
All the humour in the Husband and Wife books is based on the sort of gently demeaning stereotypes - of men and women - that were common when the pictures were drawn, when mother-in-law jokes and Benny Hill were all the rage. Not so zeitgeisty now: what was once mainstream now feels easy but risky.
If you read just one of the books in this pair, you might splutter in indignation, but reading them together, I saw the balance, and smiled a little in recognition - and especially at how far most of society has moved on since I was a child.
There are two illustrations that appear in both books - but with different words. Here’s one:
The Wife
Wives need wine and chocolate to cope with husbands and children. Well, I don’t like chocolate, and I prefer gin to wine, but wine will do. And friends (yes!) and shopping (not so much).
Hints about sex are even vaguer and more euphemistic in this than The Husband. And not sufficient to raise a smile.
Spoiler alert:
The Husband
I’m not sure what to make of the fact my father and his partner gave me this as a stocking-filler at Christmas!
You can guess the gist: a husband just needs sausages, beer, and time to indulge hobbies, like watching sport. He doesn’t care about his clothes, finds it difficult to express his feelings, and rarely listens to, let alone remembers, what his wife says. I’m not offended, but I don’t find that funny.
Although these are adult books, there’s no explicit mention of sex. This caption was presumably inspired by his awkward pose in the original illustration:
I was also amused to recognise one of the illustrations. It’s of a Scotsman in a kilt, coming into a house, bearing a piece of coal. He’s first-footing, and it was in a Ladybird book about traditional customs around the UK (possibly Stories of Special Days and Customs).
October 9, 2016
This was absolutely hilarious, especially for me, since I grew up with Ladybird books. There were parts that had me laughing so hard that I was crying. I look forward to getting more in the series. I’m looking for a few, but sadly, they seem quite difficult to get.
December 25, 2017
There's a lot of talk about wine!
May 1, 2023
Last Saturday we were at Goodwill. The girls (Gwen and Poppy) wanted to go and see what they could find. So Liz and I took them. I went to the book section - and honestly, it's just. Well, it's a tough book section.
They had several copies of Joshua Harris's "I Kissed Dating Goodbye." Like... at least 4. And they were in several random places throughout the section.
And there were all these books all over the place from like... the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s that looked SUPER-Patriarchal. Like a bunch of Woman's Day Encyclopedia of Cookery:
-Although, looking at a bunch of reviews for those books, it seems like I was judging them by the fonts on their covers...
(See here for instance - I may go back and snag them - they're all like... 5 stars... Well... with 4 ratings or whatever - but still.)
I thought they were all going to be like that book Your Clothes Say It for You... So, I pulled this book off the shelf, expecting - expecting an earnest, honest-to-goodness "this is how a proper lady behaves" book. That was the section I was in.
So, when it turned out to be parody, I thought it was great. And Liz was dealing with Gwen and Poppy who were... having a difficult time finding what they wanted. And the first page reads, "This is a wife. She looks happy, doesn't she? This is because she is on her second glass of wine." And we were both in a "I could use a glass of wine or three" moment.
Almost all of the people I trust on here gave this book 2 stars - certainly all of my friends who read it - that was their take away. Two stars. And a lot of the jokes I read in here: yeah - that's fair. But Liz and I had a laugh and a couple glasses of wine when we got home. The book hit the spot for the moment we were in in the store, and the wine hit the spot after.
They had several copies of Joshua Harris's "I Kissed Dating Goodbye." Like... at least 4. And they were in several random places throughout the section.
And there were all these books all over the place from like... the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s that looked SUPER-Patriarchal. Like a bunch of Woman's Day Encyclopedia of Cookery:
-Although, looking at a bunch of reviews for those books, it seems like I was judging them by the fonts on their covers...
(See here for instance - I may go back and snag them - they're all like... 5 stars... Well... with 4 ratings or whatever - but still.)
I thought they were all going to be like that book Your Clothes Say It for You... So, I pulled this book off the shelf, expecting - expecting an earnest, honest-to-goodness "this is how a proper lady behaves" book. That was the section I was in.
So, when it turned out to be parody, I thought it was great. And Liz was dealing with Gwen and Poppy who were... having a difficult time finding what they wanted. And the first page reads, "This is a wife. She looks happy, doesn't she? This is because she is on her second glass of wine." And we were both in a "I could use a glass of wine or three" moment.
Almost all of the people I trust on here gave this book 2 stars - certainly all of my friends who read it - that was their take away. Two stars. And a lot of the jokes I read in here: yeah - that's fair. But Liz and I had a laugh and a couple glasses of wine when we got home. The book hit the spot for the moment we were in in the store, and the wine hit the spot after.
March 19, 2016
It's my Mum & Dad's wedding anniversary today and what do you get for a couple that have been together for 34 years? Something silly of course so the Husband and Wife versions of the Ladybirds for Grown Ups How it Works series seemed like the perfect option!
Do you remember those old Ladybird books you used to read as a child? I have fond memories of fiction titles like Mick the Disobedient Puppy, The Discontented Pony and who could forget books like Tasseltip and the Boozle but there were also the educational ones that were actually supposed to teach you something. The books were all illustrated, written in very simple language and easy for children to read, something that has been continued into the adult versions that have been released much more recently. Including illustrations from the original series these books are like a step back in time but a very humourous one.
These books are snarky, play on male and female stereotypes and epitomise a dry British sense of humour. All in they're just fun, silly books that aren't meant to be taken too seriously but are designed to put a smile on your face.
My favourite quote from How it Works: The Wife -
Wives like to be right.
Sara has been waiting for her husband Tom to arrive. He is half an hour late.
Sara is delighted. She knew this would happen.
Do you remember those old Ladybird books you used to read as a child? I have fond memories of fiction titles like Mick the Disobedient Puppy, The Discontented Pony and who could forget books like Tasseltip and the Boozle but there were also the educational ones that were actually supposed to teach you something. The books were all illustrated, written in very simple language and easy for children to read, something that has been continued into the adult versions that have been released much more recently. Including illustrations from the original series these books are like a step back in time but a very humourous one.
These books are snarky, play on male and female stereotypes and epitomise a dry British sense of humour. All in they're just fun, silly books that aren't meant to be taken too seriously but are designed to put a smile on your face.
My favourite quote from How it Works: The Wife -
Wives like to be right.
Sara has been waiting for her husband Tom to arrive. He is half an hour late.
Sara is delighted. She knew this would happen.
December 25, 2015
For those of us of a certain age Ladybird books were a large part of learning to read. They were everywhere, and covered a huge range of topics, fiction, reference and how to books galore.
Now we have a new range of ladybird books. Written for adults but in the style and spirit of the originals.
Of course these are a spoof and very funny with it.
Now we have a new range of ladybird books. Written for adults but in the style and spirit of the originals.
Of course these are a spoof and very funny with it.
December 10, 2015
Tina is getting married. It is the best day of her life.
Next year, she will claim that becoming a mother was the best day of her life, but only because she was on some very strong drugs.
Neither is true. The best day of her life was her eighth birthday when she got a yellow bike.
If only the other titles on the back existed, would love to read such books as The mistress or the second wife.
Have a few friends who will probably receive this for Christmas.
Next year, she will claim that becoming a mother was the best day of her life, but only because she was on some very strong drugs.
Neither is true. The best day of her life was her eighth birthday when she got a yellow bike.
If only the other titles on the back existed, would love to read such books as The mistress or the second wife.
Have a few friends who will probably receive this for Christmas.
May 29, 2017
I liked The Mom much more because I identified with it more.
I can still see the humor in this one, however. And the illustrations are top notch.
Wives like to talk.
Phil's wife Imogen had a furious go at him last night about how he avoids talking to her.
Phil feels bad about this today, and is making it up to Imogen by mending the roof.
This book would have been more humorous to me if my alcohol of choice was wine.
But it's Captain.
I can still see the humor in this one, however. And the illustrations are top notch.
Wives like to talk.
Phil's wife Imogen had a furious go at him last night about how he avoids talking to her.
Phil feels bad about this today, and is making it up to Imogen by mending the roof.
This book would have been more humorous to me if my alcohol of choice was wine.
But it's Captain.
August 20, 2016
Funnier than the Mother and The Father but still a bit hit and miss. An enjoyable 5 minute read. Love the original illustrations, hope the library gets the rest of this series.
November 24, 2015
Dear lord, these books are so good.
One day I shall stop laughing.
One day I shall stop laughing.
December 29, 2015
I'm cheating a bit on my reading challenge here but I'm going to defend myself by saying that it simply said to read 50 books this year and didn't stipulate on length. I figure, if it's on Goodreads, then it can count.
These 'Ladybird Books for Grown-Ups' are great. They've got fantastic vintage illustrations and they're paired with sarcastic, witty captions. I think they're a good stocking filler or a little joke present for friends.
I liked this page on How it works - The Wife:
"Wives and husbands both like gadgets.
Ian has bought Victoria a hoover, an iron, a sewing machine, a washing machine, a food mixer, a hairdryer, a kettle and a toaster.
He has also bought himself a record player, so he can stay out of Victoria's way while she enjoys her new gadgets."
These 'Ladybird Books for Grown-Ups' are great. They've got fantastic vintage illustrations and they're paired with sarcastic, witty captions. I think they're a good stocking filler or a little joke present for friends.
I liked this page on How it works - The Wife:
"Wives and husbands both like gadgets.
Ian has bought Victoria a hoover, an iron, a sewing machine, a washing machine, a food mixer, a hairdryer, a kettle and a toaster.
He has also bought himself a record player, so he can stay out of Victoria's way while she enjoys her new gadgets."
August 6, 2019
As a child i used to love the original ladybird books so I was excited when these adult editions were released. They look great hardback and illustrated in the same style as before which I loved as it made me feel nostalgic. The book is full of humour and I saw myself agreeing and laughing throughout I'd definitely recommend these they are great for stocking fillers or little pressies I want to collect them all
August 5, 2016
Considering that all of the pictures in these re-purposed Ladybird books were actually used in the original books it does make one wonder what the original text was for the picture of the family driving what appears to be a Morris Oxford past the moon.
This book also makes one wonder just how much of a drinking problem Mr Hazeley's wife has.
This book also makes one wonder just how much of a drinking problem Mr Hazeley's wife has.
August 18, 2017
A delightful birthday present from my wife, who wanted to make sure I understood the inner workings of a wife. This is the second one in the series I've read...it's a spoof series, of course, so why anyone could vote it less than 4 stars I have no idea. Another funny joke! Well done.
December 29, 2015
A present that's not just for Christmas but for life.
August 22, 2016
Mildly amusing at first, but soon it only portrays sexist stereotypes. Not worth the paper it's printed on. Avoid.
March 25, 2018
A book written in a ‘childish fashion’ about ‘the wife’.
I think some people may find this book amusing, but for me it missed the mark.
I think some people may find this book amusing, but for me it missed the mark.
April 5, 2020
Full of cliches and stereotypes, this tongue-in-cheek 'children's book for grownups' is light relief from daily life. Recommended!
January 4, 2025
It's hard not to be biased when rating this quick read.
Received as a gift for my wedding day, my now wife and I opened them separately (her's being "How it works: The husband"). I thought I would read a couple of pages and start to get ready for the big day ahead but after chuckling through the first few pages, I soon found myself halfway into the book and decided to finish it off.
A lot of light hearted humour and a welcome distraction with a cup of tea.
I look forward to reading my wife's version.
Received as a gift for my wedding day, my now wife and I opened them separately (her's being "How it works: The husband"). I thought I would read a couple of pages and start to get ready for the big day ahead but after chuckling through the first few pages, I soon found myself halfway into the book and decided to finish it off.
A lot of light hearted humour and a welcome distraction with a cup of tea.
I look forward to reading my wife's version.
March 4, 2022
Stumbled on this book today. It a was funny yet sometimes a little controversial read.
September 15, 2024
Not as funny as some of the other books in this series unfortunately.
September 6, 2019
SEhr unterhaltsames, kleines Werk. Ich bin nicht verheiratet, erkenne mich aber trotzdem wieder :D
December 31, 2017
So, last spring I got married! Among the wedding gifts my wife and I received from friends and family were this book, How it Works: The Wife, along with its mate, How it Works: The Husband, from some friends who took a recent trip across the pond. We ended up reading them aloud in front of my mother-in-law. Fun times!
Silly little reads, they are definitely funny in a droll, dry, very British way, reminding me a bit of the humor of series like Look Around You. The Ladybird Book for Adults series draws upon absurd vintage illustrations gleaned from the many fusty old educational Ladybird books for children published in the ‘60s and ‘70s. The jokes mainly revolve around this juxtaposition between the kitschy, outdated artwork, in its wholesome or awkward stereotype, and the cheeky, irreverent dialogue mocking the stereotypes of gender (or hewing to them). If that works for you, then there are definitely some laughs in here, and the books take only ten or so minutes to flip through, so why not. At the same time, of course, there is little really there.
Silly little reads, they are definitely funny in a droll, dry, very British way, reminding me a bit of the humor of series like Look Around You. The Ladybird Book for Adults series draws upon absurd vintage illustrations gleaned from the many fusty old educational Ladybird books for children published in the ‘60s and ‘70s. The jokes mainly revolve around this juxtaposition between the kitschy, outdated artwork, in its wholesome or awkward stereotype, and the cheeky, irreverent dialogue mocking the stereotypes of gender (or hewing to them). If that works for you, then there are definitely some laughs in here, and the books take only ten or so minutes to flip through, so why not. At the same time, of course, there is little really there.
January 3, 2018
There are some real gems in these Ladybird shorts and whilst the wife certainly had me smiling I certainly wouldn't put it into the classic category that some of these other Ladybird books are, i.e. those that make you belly laugh out loud.
Some of the analogies are certainly very true to life and when I pointed some of these similarities out to my own wife regarding her actions/behaviour it guaranteed me being in the dog house for the rest of the Christmas break.
A good way to spend half an hour but there are some much better Ladybird examples out there.
Some of the analogies are certainly very true to life and when I pointed some of these similarities out to my own wife regarding her actions/behaviour it guaranteed me being in the dog house for the rest of the Christmas break.
A good way to spend half an hour but there are some much better Ladybird examples out there.
September 22, 2016
Very funny little book, nostalgic send-up of Ladybird books. All the illustrations are from original Ladybird books , many from decades ago, and this adds to the humour.
"Rosie is a member of a fitness club. There she has tried cross fit, spin and ultra-ballet. Her £600 annual membership meant that each visit last year cost £200."
"Rosie is a member of a fitness club. There she has tried cross fit, spin and ultra-ballet. Her £600 annual membership meant that each visit last year cost £200."
December 26, 2015
JD got this book from his work Secret Santa and I've only read it to reach my goal of books read this year. It was mildly funny if you enjoy thinking wives love wine, shopping, scotsmen, being crazy and chocolate - 2 out of 5 ain't bad ;)
January 5, 2017
A hilarious read. Although I'm not sure I agree on certain points about a wife. However when I get married in July I might suddenly change. Who knows?
A great super quick read to brighten anybody's day.
A great super quick read to brighten anybody's day.
August 25, 2017
The Wife is another book in the seemingly endless Ladybird series that my partner keeps finding at used bookstores. Like the rest, this makes wry comments about being a wife in the modern age, set against retro style illustrations. Good for a brief laugh.
June 5, 2018
Despite finding most of the new Ladybird books to be interesting, this one fell flat. Maybe it’s the very repetitive stereotypes which make up 80% of the book, instead of 10-15% which would have kept them funny.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews