"Janet Says" - Jerry Jeff Walker, 1969

Do any of Lord Celery's readers still own any "Janet and John" books from their childhood?

The names "Janet" and "John" together generate the same amused look in the UK as a couple named "Dick and Jane" would in the States.

Poor John! It's incredible he even became my friend back in 1995, given the remote possibility of our eventually becoming a couple!

The old-style Janet and John books have been updated for UK schools, so their legacy continues. Terry Wogan, a very popular DJ (and TV presenter also) on BBC Radio 2's breakfast-time show has recently been reading a new series of Janet and John stories on the radio. CDs of the stories are being sold to benefit the UK charity "Children In Need", which is a great cause.

I discovered last night that quite a few of the new Janet and John stories are posted on the web. Take a look and have a good chuckle. And for my American friends, let me know if you need anything translated into US English!

By the way, here's what the new Janet and John look like in British textbooks...

The only thing I have in common with the new "Janet" (besides being female, of course) is the enormous feet! I'll allow John to provide his own comments on any comparisons between himself and the new "John"!

Janet