Picture book of the month

Once upon a farm lived a ladybird,
And these are the things that she saw and heard…

There’s a crime afoot down on the farm! Those crafty robbers Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len are out of jail, and they’re heading back to the farm with another cunning plan to cause trouble. They’ve been stealing eggs from the fat red hen, but now they’re setting their sights higher and are plotting to steal the fat red hen herself!

Fortunately the quiet, clever ladybird is on their trail, and she and her farm animal friends have a plan of their own…

What the Ladybird Heard Next is another fantastically funny farmyard caper, with slapstick action, animal noises and a mysterious Snuggly Snerd bird, and is destined to become yet another glittery classic in the Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks collection.

The Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks author and illustrator partnership began 12 years ago, when they first worked on Princess Mirror-Belle, Julia’s fiction series for younger readers, in 2003. What the Ladybird Heard published to great acclaim in 2009. It has since sold over 1.3 million copies in all formats worldwide and been translated in to 15 languages. Julia and Lydia’s hugely successful partnership also includes the Number 1 best-selling title The Singing Mermaid, and most recently they returned to Princess Mirror-Belle with a new picture book format of this favourite imaginary friend character. Their partnership continues to go from strength to strength. What the Ladybird Heard Next is the eighth picture book from this uniquely talented picture book partnership.

Julia Donaldson, the Children’s Laureate 2011 - 2013, is the bestselling author of over 120 books and plays. She was born and grew up in North London. She wrote songs for children’s television for many years, and during that time one of her songs became the book A Squash and a Squeeze. Her real breakthrough book was The Gruffalo, which has gone on to become a monster bestseller with over 13 million copies sold. Although she is best known for her picture books, Julia also writes longer novels, plays and songs. Julia now divides her time between Scotland and West Sussex where she lives with her husband, Malcolm, who often joins her on stage for their sell-out singalong shows.

Lydia Monks is one of the most original picture book artists working today. Her distinctive use of colour and collage has won her critical acclaim and several awards, including The Smarties Prize. Her many collaborations with Julia Donaldson include The Singing Mermaid, Princess Mirror-Belle, Sugarlump and the Unicorn, Princess and the Wizard and The Rhyming Rabbit. Lydia was born in Surrey and studied Illustration at Kingston University. Lydia lives in Sheffield with her two daughters.

What the Ladybird Heard Next is published on 10 September and available from all good booksellers.