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What the Ladybird Heard #1
What the Ladybug Heard
Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len have a cunning they'll sneak past all the animals and steal the farmer's fine prize cow. But they forget all about the tiniest, quietest creature on the farm―the ladybug. She has a plan of her own.
Julia Donaldson turns her literary expertise to a farm setting, and comes up with a rollicking barnyard mystery. Lydia Monks' colorful collage illustrations go perfectly with the story for a winning combination. Readers will quack, neigh, moo, and cheer for the ladybug all the way through!
What the Ladybug Heard is a 2011 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
Julia Donaldson turns her literary expertise to a farm setting, and comes up with a rollicking barnyard mystery. Lydia Monks' colorful collage illustrations go perfectly with the story for a winning combination. Readers will quack, neigh, moo, and cheer for the ladybug all the way through!
What the Ladybug Heard is a 2011 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
17 people are currently reading
753 people want to read
About the author
Julia Donaldson
1,233 books1,920 followersGrowing up
I grew up in a tall Victorian London house with my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, younger sister Mary and cat Geoffrey (who was really a prince in disguise. Mary and I would argue about which of us would marry him).
Mary and I were always creating imaginary characters and mimicking real ones, and I used to write shows and choreograph ballets for us. A wind-up gramophone wafted out Chopin waltzes.
I studied Drama and French at Bristol University, where I met Malcolm, a guitar-playing medic to whom I’m now married.
Busking and books
Before Malcolm and I had our three sons we used to go busking together and I would write special songs for each country; the best one was in Italian about pasta.
The busking led to a career in singing and songwriting, mainly for children’s television. I became an expert at writing to order on such subjects as guinea pigs, window-cleaning and horrible smells. “We want a song about throwing crumpled-up wrapping paper into the bin” was a typical request from the BBC.
I also continued to write “grown-up” songs and perform them in folk clubs and on the radio, and have recently released two CDs of these songs.
One of my television songs, A SQUASH AND A SQUEEZE, was made into a book in 1993, with illustrations by the wonderful Axel Scheffler. It was great to hold the book in my hand without it vanishing in the air the way the songs did. This prompted me to unearth some plays I’d written for a school reading group, and since then I’ve had 20 plays published. Most children love acting and it’s a tremendous way to improve their reading.
My real breakthrough was THE GRUFFALO, again illustrated by Axel. We work separately - he’s in London and I’m in Glasgow - but he sends me letters with lovely funny pictures on the envelopes.
I really enjoy writing verse, even though it can be fiendishly difficult. I used to memorise poems as a child and it means a lot to me when parents tell me their child can recite one of my books.
Funnily enough, I find it harder to write not in verse, though I feel I am now getting the hang of it! My novel THE GIANTS AND THE JONESES is going to be made into a film by the same team who made the Harry Potter movies, and I have written three books of stories about the anarchic PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLE who appears from the mirror and disrupts the life of an otherwise ordinary eight-year-old. I have just finished writing a novel for teenagers.
When I’m not writing I am often performing, at book festivals and in theatres. I really enjoy getting the children in the audience to help me act out the stories and sing the songs. When Malcolm can take time off from the hospital he and his guitar come too. and it feels as if we’ve come full circle - back to busking.
I grew up in a tall Victorian London house with my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, younger sister Mary and cat Geoffrey (who was really a prince in disguise. Mary and I would argue about which of us would marry him).
Mary and I were always creating imaginary characters and mimicking real ones, and I used to write shows and choreograph ballets for us. A wind-up gramophone wafted out Chopin waltzes.
I studied Drama and French at Bristol University, where I met Malcolm, a guitar-playing medic to whom I’m now married.
Busking and books
Before Malcolm and I had our three sons we used to go busking together and I would write special songs for each country; the best one was in Italian about pasta.
The busking led to a career in singing and songwriting, mainly for children’s television. I became an expert at writing to order on such subjects as guinea pigs, window-cleaning and horrible smells. “We want a song about throwing crumpled-up wrapping paper into the bin” was a typical request from the BBC.
I also continued to write “grown-up” songs and perform them in folk clubs and on the radio, and have recently released two CDs of these songs.
One of my television songs, A SQUASH AND A SQUEEZE, was made into a book in 1993, with illustrations by the wonderful Axel Scheffler. It was great to hold the book in my hand without it vanishing in the air the way the songs did. This prompted me to unearth some plays I’d written for a school reading group, and since then I’ve had 20 plays published. Most children love acting and it’s a tremendous way to improve their reading.
My real breakthrough was THE GRUFFALO, again illustrated by Axel. We work separately - he’s in London and I’m in Glasgow - but he sends me letters with lovely funny pictures on the envelopes.
I really enjoy writing verse, even though it can be fiendishly difficult. I used to memorise poems as a child and it means a lot to me when parents tell me their child can recite one of my books.
Funnily enough, I find it harder to write not in verse, though I feel I am now getting the hang of it! My novel THE GIANTS AND THE JONESES is going to be made into a film by the same team who made the Harry Potter movies, and I have written three books of stories about the anarchic PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLE who appears from the mirror and disrupts the life of an otherwise ordinary eight-year-old. I have just finished writing a novel for teenagers.
When I’m not writing I am often performing, at book festivals and in theatres. I really enjoy getting the children in the audience to help me act out the stories and sing the songs. When Malcolm can take time off from the hospital he and his guitar come too. and it feels as if we’ve come full circle - back to busking.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
January 22, 2019
Ladybird is really a nice quiet little bug who minds her own business.
But when the time comes and she needs to take action,
she will not hesitate,
she will speak up,
she will make a plan,
She will save the precious cow of the farm!
Well done amazing ladybird :)
But when the time comes and she needs to take action,
she will not hesitate,
she will speak up,
she will make a plan,
She will save the precious cow of the farm!
Well done amazing ladybird :)
September 19, 2011
What the Ladybird Heard is set in a noisy farm yard where the lady bird never says a word, but she does see and listen to the two men in a van planning on stealing the prize cow! She goes back to the farmyard and tells the animals of the thieves plan and comes up with a cunning plan of her own to stop the men stealing the cow.
This Julia Donaldson story allows plenty of opportunities for children to make the animal noises and to laugh. With the rhyming story and the simply beautiful illustrations by Lydia Monks, as well as the glittery ladybird to find on each page, this is a perfect picture book to keep children in the EYFS and KS1 entertained.
This Julia Donaldson story allows plenty of opportunities for children to make the animal noises and to laugh. With the rhyming story and the simply beautiful illustrations by Lydia Monks, as well as the glittery ladybird to find on each page, this is a perfect picture book to keep children in the EYFS and KS1 entertained.
November 13, 2022
Julia Donaldson has a gift for writing stories to keep toddlers enthralled, with wit and wisdom and heart. A fab story about how even the smallest and quietest among us can defeat an evil, especially if they organise a team to work together for mutual benefit.
This one is great for practicing your animal noises with your toddler, and practically demands theatrically overdone farmyard roleplaying.
This one is great for practicing your animal noises with your toddler, and practically demands theatrically overdone farmyard roleplaying.
January 12, 2013
In this story we meet a very quiet but clever ladybird. The story is set on a farm where the ladybird lives with the rest of her farmyard friends. On overhearing two robbers plotting to steal the farmer’s prize cow, the ladybird comes up with a clever plan to stop them.
The story is written in a rhyming pattern, ‘a fat red hen, a duck on a pond, and a goose in a pen’. Donaldson also makes use of alliteration, ‘a hairy hog, a handsome horse and a dainty dog’, throughout this story. Children are introduced to the use of directional language and can see it visually represented in map form. Wonderful collage illustrations further enhance the story. Repetition is also present providing many opportunities for the children to join in and take part in the telling of the story.
I believe this book would be perfect for an EYFS class. It could be used as part of a literacy lesson, or placed in the class library. Many cross curricular teaching opportunities stem from the use of this book including numeracy, art and geography. Children could also be encouraged to use role play in the retelling of the story.
The story is written in a rhyming pattern, ‘a fat red hen, a duck on a pond, and a goose in a pen’. Donaldson also makes use of alliteration, ‘a hairy hog, a handsome horse and a dainty dog’, throughout this story. Children are introduced to the use of directional language and can see it visually represented in map form. Wonderful collage illustrations further enhance the story. Repetition is also present providing many opportunities for the children to join in and take part in the telling of the story.
I believe this book would be perfect for an EYFS class. It could be used as part of a literacy lesson, or placed in the class library. Many cross curricular teaching opportunities stem from the use of this book including numeracy, art and geography. Children could also be encouraged to use role play in the retelling of the story.
October 7, 2017
I loved this story! A great book with a protagonist who isn’t the noisiest of animals. The ladybird doesn’t ever talk, but listens to everyone else. But then when she hears that someone is going to steal the prized cow, she speaks up. This is a lovely concept, that would appeal to all children, but especially to the quieter children! The illustrations from Lydia Monks has a really unique style to it, that really makes the images stand alone. A funny story, where the animals take back control, sort of a child’s Animal Farm if you will. Typical of Julia Donaldson’s style, the book is lovely to read aloud as it is filled with animal noises and a rhyme on every page! Aimed primarily at KS1 and EYFS, but the morals do transcend the book, and so you could read to a KS2 audience, but just have more targeted, mature questions.
January 7, 2021
This is a fun and engaging story about how a ladybird helps to save the cow being stolen by two bad men. There is lots of repetition and rhyming in the book which makes it great for younger children. This allows them to join in with the repeated phrases such as the noises the animals make. There would be lots of opportunities for prediction to happen throughout the story and many links could be made across the curriculum, for example, map reading in maths or geography. I would use this book as a read-aloud story or to base work around in FS or year 1.
June 11, 2016
Julia Donaldson - It's always going to be good!
Definitely a good one for the younger children!
Definitely a good one for the younger children!
March 19, 2014
The story is set on a farm with many different animals being introduced with their sound with their sounds, including a ladybird who never ever said a word. One evening she overhears two robbers discussing a plot to steal the Fine Prize Cow, with a map of the farm. The ladybird has a plan and tells all the other animals the plan. When the robbers enter the farm the animals all make different animal noises so that the robbers think they are at a different part of the farm and they were directed into the duck pond. The robbers are arrested and things return to normal and the ladybird returns to never ever saying a word.
This is a really fun and engaging KS1 book. This cane looked at in many different areas of the Literacy curriculum. When looking at fiction stories there is a nice link to baddies and heroes, and in this case the hero is small and clever as opposed to big and strong.
It is also really great to introduce rhyme and patterns into a book, There is a nice repetitive structure to the book with a good natural flow, making it easy for children to follow and spot the patterns and rhymes.
Overall this is a great book and I would highly recommend it.
This is a really fun and engaging KS1 book. This cane looked at in many different areas of the Literacy curriculum. When looking at fiction stories there is a nice link to baddies and heroes, and in this case the hero is small and clever as opposed to big and strong.
It is also really great to introduce rhyme and patterns into a book, There is a nice repetitive structure to the book with a good natural flow, making it easy for children to follow and spot the patterns and rhymes.
Overall this is a great book and I would highly recommend it.
October 21, 2013
This is a lovely book, which almost meets up to standards I expect of Julia Donaldson. The plot is not quite as well thought through as some of her other books, but it does have stunning illustrations, as well as a great message; the unexpected, quiet character is the one who saves the day. Finding the shiny ladybird on each page adds an interesting dimension to the book, which will help to keep children engaged.
The animals on the farm are always making noise, all apart from the ladybird. When the farm is under threat from thieves, the ladybird - the quietest animal on the farm - overhears the robbers' devising their plan. In turn she then devises her own cunning plan to foil their attempt. What ensues is amusing and uplifting! What The Lady Bird Heard is a great book.
This book could be used in the classroom, most effectively as a whole-class book. It is most suitable for Early Years children, but could be used in KS 1. It would also be a good book to have in the book corner, as the illustrations and rhymes make it easily accessible.
The animals on the farm are always making noise, all apart from the ladybird. When the farm is under threat from thieves, the ladybird - the quietest animal on the farm - overhears the robbers' devising their plan. In turn she then devises her own cunning plan to foil their attempt. What ensues is amusing and uplifting! What The Lady Bird Heard is a great book.
This book could be used in the classroom, most effectively as a whole-class book. It is most suitable for Early Years children, but could be used in KS 1. It would also be a good book to have in the book corner, as the illustrations and rhymes make it easily accessible.
July 29, 2016
This book is about a ladybird that lives on a farm with many other animals. The ladybird never speaks until she hears two crafty robbers plotting to steal the prize cow. The ladybird speaks and tells the other animals of her plan to stop them.
I like this book because it has some repetition and most of it is written in rhyming couplets. I also like the part when all the animals imitate each other in order to stop the robbers.
I think this book would be suitable for nursery, reception and a year one class. I would use it to read to the whole class, whilst asking them key questions about the story. This book could lead onto further activities, such as retelling their own version of the story and creating maps.
I like this book because it has some repetition and most of it is written in rhyming couplets. I also like the part when all the animals imitate each other in order to stop the robbers.
I think this book would be suitable for nursery, reception and a year one class. I would use it to read to the whole class, whilst asking them key questions about the story. This book could lead onto further activities, such as retelling their own version of the story and creating maps.
October 11, 2018
The main thing I love about this book is it's use of rhyme. It means that the book has a certain rhythm to it that allows it to flow really nicely. Because of this, it would be a great book to use for reading aloud or a shared reading session. The use of onomatopoeia is really good because it makes the book for accessible. Some children may not be great readers, but the use of the onomatopoeia means that those children can still be part of the reading and can enjoy the story even though they can't read it very well themselves.
The fact that the main hero of this story is a small little ladybird that never speaks it really lovely. To me it sends the message that even if you are quiet or shy, you can still save the day and be important.
Definitely a great book for the younger years!
The fact that the main hero of this story is a small little ladybird that never speaks it really lovely. To me it sends the message that even if you are quiet or shy, you can still save the day and be important.
Definitely a great book for the younger years!
January 20, 2019
What the Ladybird Heard is a repetitive story with rhyming words and alteration which encourage children to join in.
The story is about a ladybird coming up with a plan to save the farm. The illustrations of the ladybird telling the animals plan is clever because the illustrator has lined up the animals and created a trail to each animal’s ear to show the reader that the ladybird is telling each animal the plan and their role in the plan.
The illustrations are simple and they look like they have been cut out and stuck into the book. The pages were the background is dark to represent night, the illustrations stand out.
This book would be suitable for reception children because it is simple and repetitive.
The story is about a ladybird coming up with a plan to save the farm. The illustrations of the ladybird telling the animals plan is clever because the illustrator has lined up the animals and created a trail to each animal’s ear to show the reader that the ladybird is telling each animal the plan and their role in the plan.
The illustrations are simple and they look like they have been cut out and stuck into the book. The pages were the background is dark to represent night, the illustrations stand out.
This book would be suitable for reception children because it is simple and repetitive.
September 19, 2012
This humorous, rhyming tale is the story of a silent ladybird, living amongst a noisy cohort of farm animals. She is almost overlooked, until..... She witnesses Lanky Len and Hefty Hugh attempting to steal the farmer's fine prize cow. A plot ensues, hatched by the ladybird herself, to confuse and fool the thieves and scupper their dastardly plans! Extremely fun to read along with children, who seem to love the rhyming animal noise chorus and recite it by heart, with accompanying hisses and oinks. In my opinion, this is a fantastic and thoroughly engaging book, which always leaves both me and the children with a smile on our faces.
January 1, 2015
Wonderful book to read out loud to young children, beautifully illustrated (with sparkles) and very funny. I will long relish the memory of my two year old grandson shaking his fist and shouting out 'GOLLY GOSH' with great indignation at the two naughty robbers - Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len - as they are taken away in the police car (Nee naw!). The map is excellent too.
February 14, 2018
Wonderfully captivating for the youngest readers. Animal sounds galore! Spot the sparkly ladybird on each page! Follow the trail with your fingers! And what a clever, clever plot, guaranteed to have any under-5 in fits of giggles! Follow up by visiting a farm, going ladybird spotting or simply making a map.
July 25, 2018
I love Julia Donaldson she is something of a whizz at getting children gripped and laughing out load at books. This lovely little story about a ladybird stopping some robbers from stealing the fine prize cows is colorful and fun enough to grip my 20 month old, and still be enjoyed by my 6 year old. A winner in our house!
February 13, 2020
A book with lots of verbs- can introduce changing verbs to ‘ing’ and ‘ed’ using the sounds the animals make. Can also use it to inspire other adventures that might happen on a farm using a story map
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January 8, 2016
Take a pass on this one for adults, but for very young, first time readers it's great for learning the noises of farm yard animals with a slight twist.
September 1, 2016
I love reading Julia Donaldson books to my sister because her books are so creative and have beautiful pictures on each page.
March 7, 2019
Absolutely loved sharing this with my class especially as I was dressed as the ladybird 🐞. Moooooooooo
May 8, 2021
Ако „Кучето детектив” е събудило апетита ви за римувани криминалета, то ето ви още една пъстра изненада от Джулия Доналдсън и изд. „Жанет 45”. Двама злодеи замислят пъклен план как да задигнат кравата медалист от една иначе спокойна и приветлива ферма. Възможно ли е най-дребното и тихо същество наоколо да провали замисъла им и да спаси положението? Ще разберем в книгата „Какво каза калинката”! А кой е отговорен за жизнерадостния вид на изданието? Няма да ви е нужен детектив, за да откриете „виновника” за ярките багри и изпълнените с хумор илюстрации. Това е изобретателната британска художничка Лидия Монкс. Прочетете ревюто на „Книжни Криле”: https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...
May 7, 2022
A firm favourite with many young readers (3+) this rhyming adventure story tells the tale of a tiny Ladybird who saves the day with the help of her farmyard friend. The bright, detailed illustrations and repetitive text make this perfect for sharing with early readers who will enjoy retelling the story time and again. There's also plenty of scope for discussion in a classroom setting with older pupils (6-8) about how listening closely means you learn important things and about how teamwork can lead to a happy ending for everyone! I can also imagine using this text as a way to explore map making and farm life with my junior primary pupils. A great addition to any teachers library!
August 10, 2022
The plot was very exciting with an ending that keeps you on your toes. I was invested the entire time and once I discovered the existence of the sequels I just knew that I'll have to check them out. Though I must say it was a bit wordy and kind of repetitive but you can look past it easily since it's such a great read.
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July 13, 2023
This is a great book to do with early coding concepts like sequencing. Indeed it's what I used it for!! My daughter was fascinated by the farm animals so that is always an option as well.
January 3, 2024
Love the sparkly ladybird. Ready to read it to primary school children.
January 21, 2026
There's a lot of noise made on the farm, but the ladybug who never says anything has a big plan to thwart two would-be robbers.
June 9, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this to my daughter. This was a fun, colourful and crafty read.
So far, I’ve been enjoying all of Julia Donaldson’s books.
So far, I’ve been enjoying all of Julia Donaldson’s books.
September 30, 2020
The animals on the farm are always noisy, all except for the ladybird who never says a word. But when burglars plot to steal the farmer’s fine prize cow, it’s the quiet ladybird who comes up with the perfect way to stop their dastardly plan! This lively rhyming story is perfectly paired with stylish, vibrant farmyard illustrations by Lydia Monks. Children will love joining in with all the familiar animal sounds, as well as spotting the tiny glittery ladybird on each page.
When I was really small, 2 or 3 years old, this was my favourite book. We read it nearly everyday and I knew most of the words off by heart. I loved the illustrations and enjoyed making all the animal noises and would clap when the naughty robbers were caught by the police.
When I was really small, 2 or 3 years old, this was my favourite book. We read it nearly everyday and I knew most of the words off by heart. I loved the illustrations and enjoyed making all the animal noises and would clap when the naughty robbers were caught by the police.
September 30, 2018
Lots of repetition and colourful illustrations. There is lots of alliteration and rhyme in the story making it humorous and enables the children to join in. Within the story there is frequent reference to directions and a map, such as left and right. The use of a map and directions introduces children to some other curricular subjects such as, mathematics and geography. The story allows the reader to emphasis the noises of the animals and to learn about the different animals and their habitat (a farm). It also teaches children about a moral by referencing to the burglars, allowing the reader to discuss why stealing is not the right thing to do.
March 29, 2021
This is a brilliant Julia Donaldson book with eye-catching illustrations.
Set on a farm with lots of noisy animals, it includes rhyming and repetition to keep children engaged.
The ladybird is very quiet usually watching and listening but whispers in each animals ear a plan to trick the thieves and save the cow.
I like the way it captures children's interest whilst also conveying an important lesson of listening and observing - the quietest of all saves the day and you don't always have to be the loudest to be heard!
Colourful, teaches animal sounds, communication skills and fun to read - 5 stars.
Set on a farm with lots of noisy animals, it includes rhyming and repetition to keep children engaged.
The ladybird is very quiet usually watching and listening but whispers in each animals ear a plan to trick the thieves and save the cow.
I like the way it captures children's interest whilst also conveying an important lesson of listening and observing - the quietest of all saves the day and you don't always have to be the loudest to be heard!
Colourful, teaches animal sounds, communication skills and fun to read - 5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews