‘What The Ladybird Heard’ is one of our favourite books by Julia Donaldson and we’ve been reading it since Ivy was just a few months old.
The story is about a tiny ladybird who lives on a farm. All of the animals around her are very noisy but she just quietly goes about her business, not saying a word. Then one night everything changes. She overhears a conversation between two burglars (the wonderfully named Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len) and discovers their evil plot to steal the farmer’s fine prize cow.
She goes to the other animals and for once she speaks up, telling them about her fantastic plan to thwart the burglary. The animals listen carefully and they all agree to play their part, which involves impersonating each other in order to confuse the thieves.
On the night in question Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len enter the farm, listening out for each animal in turn so that they can find their way. But when the goose says neigh and the dog goes quack everything starts to unravel. Can they make it out of the farm with the fine prize cow or will the clever ladybird win the day?
Everything about this book is spot on, from the tight, bouncy rhythm to the bold and colourful animal illustrations (from the super-talented Lydia Monks). There’s also an added extra which fascinates Ivy every time we read it – the opportunity to try and spot the tiny ladybird on every page, which isn’t always easy!
The story also comes with a lovely message. You don’t have to be the biggest or the loudest to change the world. Sometimes the quietest voice and the smallest gesture can make all the difference <3
Buy it now: https://amzn.to/2kJ7DMd