What the Ladybird Heard on Holiday {book review}

If you have young children like me then you will probably have heard of What the Ladybird Heard. This is the first of three titles in the What the Ladybird Heard picture book series, followed by What the Ladybird Heard Next and the highly-anticipated What the Ladybird Heard on Holiday which is due to hit UK bookshops on 29^th June 2017.

The Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks (author and illustrator) partnership began 14 years ago, when they first worked together on Princess Mirror-Belle. What the Ladybird Heard and What the Ladybird Heard Next have sold 1.5 million copies in all formats worldwide, with 20 foreign editions currently in-print. What the Ladybird Heard on Holiday is their ninth picture book together.

What the Ladybird Heard on Holiday book review

As huge fans of Julia Donaldson we were really excited to be given a sneak preview of her new book, What the Ladybird Heard on Holiday.

Those two bad men, Lanky Len and Hefty Hugh, are back! They may be in the city instead of the farm, but they haven’t changed their thieving ways. In fact, they’ve got even more ambitious. They’re planning to steal a monkey from the zoo and use it to pinch the Queen’s crown. It’s a pity for them that a certain crime-busting ladybird is holidaying in the very same city . . . and she’s got a good idea that will ensure the dastardly pair won’t get away with it!

With a whole host of noisy new zoo-animal characters to meet and even a cameo from the Queen, What the Ladybird Heard on Holiday, is a sure-fire hit. My 5 year old loved it. She’s at the very early reading stage but still loves her picture books.

The illustrations are great. Living in London my daughter was able to recognise so many of the buildings in the book, as I’m sure everyone would. I’m a huge fan of Julia Donaldson and it’s easy to see why she’s such a hit with kids, the rhyme and repetition works so well throughout the story. I’m sure this will be another runaway success for the author and illustrator.

Thank you to NetGalley for a preview of this book.

What the Ladybird Heard on stage

If you love this series then I’m sure you will be interested to know that Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks’ bestselling picture book What the Ladybird Heard makes its West End debut this summer. This glittering tale of two crafty robbers, one tiny ladybird and a whole farmyard of fun will open at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue on 5 July, running until 10 September, prior to a major UK tour in early 2018. 

With original songs and music, puppetry, plenty of audience participation and lots of laughs, this action-packed 55-minute production is the perfect treat for families with children aged three and up.

See what we thought of the previous books:

What the Ladybird Heard by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks

What the Ladybird Heard Next by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks