The Science Fiction Series Professor Fred Hoyle (1915-2001) was a distinguished Professor of Astronomy at Cambridge, who also wrote science fiction. Older visitors may remember the 1960’s BBC TV series ‘A for Andromeda’ (starring Julie Christie), which Hoyle had written. In 1980 Ladybird published four sci-fi books written specially by Fred Hoyle and his son Geoffrey, illustrated by Martin Aitchison. Hoyle light-heartedly wove in a number of his theories about extra-terrestrial and environmental influences on Planet Earth, themes that have since gained much greater credence and familiarity. Hoyle’s theory that meteors had carried microbes from outer space to Earth provides the basis of ‘The Planet of Death’, while ‘The Frozen Planet’ charts the catastrophic effect of the blocking of the Sun’s rays. In ‘The Energy Pirates’, aliens invade, desperately seeking new energy sources. Only ‘Giants of Universal Park’ seems to have been written for amusement only, being based on the exploits of visiting extra-terrestrial football teams! Now view the Science Fiction pictures for sale The Puddle Lane Series The Puddle Lane series, devised by Sheila McCullagh, first appeared in 1982 as a series of 15 minute TV programmes for Yorkshire TV. In 1985 Ladybird brought out the very popular 5-level reading scheme series, designed to take a child from the first stages of reading through to independent reading. In all, the series comprised 57 books. Although all the books were written by Sheila McCullagh, a range of illustrators were brought in by Ladybird to give life to the characters of Puddle Lane: The Griffle, the Wideawake Mice, The Magician and Tim Catchamouse. Martin Aitchison illustrated some of the later books in this series, including 'Mr Grimble Grumbles', 'The Tidy Bird' and 'The Magician's Raindrops'. Now view the Science Fiction pictures for sale End of storyboard information. Back to start