Why do we change our clocks?
The idea of moving clocks forwards and backwards came to Britain from America. Benjamin Franklin, an American politician and inventor, first suggested it in 1784. He thought that if people got up earlier, when it was lighter, then it would save on candles.
Back in Britain, a leaflet called The Waste of Daylight was published, encouraging people to get out of bed earlier. In 1908, the government discussed making it law to change the clocks but this wasn’t popular. The change did happen in Mabel’s lifetime, finally coming into being in 1916, during World War I.
Now, clocks around Britain always go back by one hour on the last Sunday in October and forward by one hour on the last Sunday in March.
It’s great to see these beautiful illustrations, full of fun, wit, and joy come out of the archives to ‘make people laugh’ – the thing Mabel loved to do most. We know from the many letters Mabel received during her lifetime, that her art meant so much to so many people. From inspiring everyone to calm down and carry on in the face of two World Wars or to take ‘the steam out of the family battleground’, Mabel’s work brought comfort and laughter to homes across the world and across generations.
World Smile Day began in 1999 when Harvey Ball, the artist behind the smiley face, declared that everyone should devote one day each year to smiles and kind acts. Ever since, people across the world celebrate with smiles and good deeds on the first Friday in October. We’d love to hear about yours @mabel_lucie
In an exciting addition to our paperback collaborations with publishers, Macmillan, Mabel's original line artwork vividly brings to life the story of one of Britain's most gifted writers.
Fascinating characters – Lord of all the fish, Mrs Bedonebyasyoudid, Mrs Doasyouwouldbedoneby, molly-mocks, the Examiner-of-all-Examiners, water-babies and a young boy called Tom – leap off the page and capture imaginations.
Go on an adventure with a young boy called Tom into an underwater world. Discover fairies, insects and water nymphs as Tom starts a new life full of wonder and excitement.
First published by Macmillan in 1863, The Water-Babies is still one of the most unusual and enchanting children’s books ever written. This edition contains glorious original illustrations by Mabel Lucie Attwell and activities and a quiz to continue the fun.
Charles Kingsley wrote The Water-Babies for his son, Grenville, when he was about four. The classic tale of adventure, rescue and discovery shares Kingsley’s love of natural history, his fascination with scientific study and sense of duty to teach children moral values. For Mabel, his sense of humour must have made illustrating the tale a joy.
The new addition with a beautifully foiled cover is available here
In an exciting new venture, we are launching a new initiative, Mabel to uncover, rediscover and share her huge variety and diversity of illustrations: from beautiful pencil drawings for children’s classics from Peter Pan to Alice in Wonderland to World War One postcards, the cheeky Boo Boo fairies and many, many more. From postcards for the Royal Family to illustrations for national magazines and advertising for London Underground, Mabel Lucie Attwell's work was hugely popular during her lifetime and is still much loved around the world today.
Keep in touch to be the first to see what we find – as we grow our cards and gifts range alongside a regular blog of memories and stories about Mabel Lucie Attwell’s life and art.
