Books and activities for children who love What the Ladybird Heard

Read on for our pick of the best What the Ladybird Heard books and activities for children who love Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks’s rhyming picture books.

With their cast of curious critters and a crime-fighting little ladybird, Julia Donaldson & Lydia Monks’s What the Ladybird Heard books are loved by children the world over. Read on to discover more What the Ladybird Heard books, plus lots of themed activities that you and your little one can enjoy at home together. 

Looking for more books by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks? Read our guide here.

What the Ladybird Heard Books

What the Ladybird Heard

by Julia Donaldson

Book cover for What the Ladybird Heard

Illustrated by Lydia Monks

Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len are two crafty robbers with a cunning plan to steal the farmer’s fine prize cow. But little do they know that the tiniest, quietest creature of all has overhead their plot, and she has a plan of her own . . . This is a fantastically funny story from the picture book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks.

What the Ladybird Heard Next

by Julia Donaldson

Book cover for What the Ladybird Heard Next

Illustrated by Lydia Monks

Head back to the farm in What the Ladybird Heard Next. In this fantastically funny follow-up, dastardly duo Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len are out of jail and back to their usual antics. Young readers are guaranteed to giggle at the capers of the ladybird and her cast of critters as they convince the robbers to go after the extremely elusive Snuggly Snerd.

What the Ladybird Heard on Holiday

by Julia Donaldson

Book cover for What the Ladybird Heard on Holiday

Illustrated by Lydia Monks

Go on an adventure from the comfort of your own home with Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks’s third What the Ladybird Heard book. The little ladybird is heading to the city on holiday just as Lanky Len and Hefty Hugh have hatched a plan to steal the Queen’s crown. With beautifully illustrated cityscape scenes and a whole new cast of animals to meet at the zoo, this story is a firm favourite with young animal lovers.

What the Ladybird Heard at the Seaside

by Julia Donaldson

Book cover for What the Ladybird Heard at the Seaside

Illustrated by Lydia Monks

Summer is on its way, and the clever little ladybird is off for a day out at the beach, in the newest book from Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks. Join the ladybird as she meets a cast of sea creatures and stops Lanky Len and Hefty Hugh from getting up to their usual tricks. Animal-mad little ones will love spotting the story’s seaside inhabitants in this glittery seaside adventure.

What the Ladybird Heard Book and Toy Gift Set

by Julia Donaldson

Book cover for What the Ladybird Heard Book and Toy Gift Set

Illustrated by Lydia Monks

The ultimate gift for kids who love What the Ladybird Heard. This special edition of the original story includes a hardback copy of the book, plus a glittery plush ladybird, perfect for cuddling as you read together or for little ones to take with them on their adventures.

Who's on the Farm? A What the Ladybird Heard Book

by Julia Donaldson

Book cover for Who's on the Farm? A What the Ladybird Heard Book

Illustrated by Lydia Monks

With a glittery cover, large flaps and bright colours, Who's on the Farm? is sure to delight. Babies and toddlers (and parents too!) will love lifting the flaps to meet the inhabitants of the farm throughout the story. Can you find where the ladybird is hiding?


What the Ladybird Heard Activity Books

The What the Ladybird Heard Play: World Book Day 2021

Book cover for The What the Ladybird Heard Play: World Book Day 2021

Illustrated by Lydia Monks

What the Ladybird Heard by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks has been adapted into a special story play for World Book Day 2021 – so you can join in the fun!

Full of Lydia Monks's bright and distinctive illustrations, The What the Ladybird Heard Story Play has a page of hints and tips for how to perform the story, so little ones can put on their very own play featuring their favourite characters. 

The What the Ladybird Heard Sticker Book

by Julia Donaldson

Book cover for The What the Ladybird Heard Sticker Book

Illustrated by Lydia Monks

Children will have hours of creative fun with the What the Ladybird Heard Sticker Book. This full-colour activity book is packed with puzzles and scenes to recreate, with over 400 stickers inspired by the book’s cast of creatures.

What the Ladybird Heard Next Sticker Book

by Julia Donaldson

Book cover for What the Ladybird Heard Next Sticker Book

Illustrated by Lydia Monks

Packed with fun activities that will keep kids entertained on a rainy day, this sticker and activity book is based on the bestselling story by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks. Suitable for children or toddlers to enjoy with an adult or for older children to read on their own, it will make a great addition to the shelf of any fan of What the Ladybird Heard Next.

What the Ladybird Heard on Holiday Sticker Book

by Julia Donaldson

Book cover for What the Ladybird Heard on Holiday Sticker Book

Illustrated by Lydia Monks

Help the ladybird stop Lanky Len and Hefty Hugh from stealing the Queen’s crown in this sticker and activity book. With action-packed city scenes to recreate with over 400 stickers, children will love spotting London landmarks, finding the animals in the zoo and helping the ladybird to foil Len and Hugh’s criminal plans.

The What the Ladybird Heard Cookbook

by Julia Donaldson

Book cover for The What the Ladybird Heard Cookbook

Illustrated by Lydia Monks

This recipe book has twenty-four child-friendly recipes for healthy snacks, sweet treats and family favourites, all inspired by the stories and characters in the What the Ladybird Heard books. Roll up your sleeves and get into the kitchen with your little ones to whip up a batch of ladybird pizzas, fine prize cowpat cookies or even a showstopping ladybird cake. With simple step-by-step instructions, this cookbook is an excellent introduction to baking and cooking for children.


What the Ladybird Heard activities

Practice your drawing skills with the ladybird

Featuring a simple illustration and grid to help them recreate the picture, children can practise their drawing skills with this What the Ladybird Heard at the Seaside activity sheet.

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What The Ladybird Heard at the Seaside Drawing Grid
Download here


Find the words in the What the Ladybird Heard at the Seaside wordsearch

There’s a whole host of marine animals for young readers to find in this wordsearch inspired by What the Ladybird Heard at the Seaside. This activity sheet is suitable for children who are starting to enjoy reading independently or for younger children to complete with a parent’s help.

Activity Sheet  - Wordsearch - What The Ladybird Heard at the Seaside - Julia Donaldson.jpg
What The Ladybird Heard at the Seaside Wordsearch
Download here


Help the ladybird find her way through the maze

Help the ladybird make it through the maze to warn the mermaid about Lanky Len and Hefty Hugh with this printable activity sheet for kids.

Activity Sheet  - Maze - What The Ladybird Heard at the Seaside - Julia Donaldson.jpg
What The Ladybird Heard at the Seaside Maze
Download here


Colour in this What the Ladybird Heard farm scene

Colour in a farmyard scene with this free downloadable colouring sheet featuring an illustration from the book by Lydia Monks. Simply download the PDF, print it out and get colouring!

Activity Sheet  - Colouring Sheet - What The Ladybird Heard at the Seaside - Julia Donaldson.jpg
What The Ladybird Heard at the Seaside Colouring Sheet
Download here


Make Monkey Joe's banana pancakes

Little ones will love helping to make these delicious pancakes as a yummy breakfast or special treat. 

Get the recipe for Monkey Joe’s banana pancakes here.