What the Ladybird Heard Series 5 Children's Books Collection Set by Julia Donaldson & Lydia Monks

What the Ladybird Heard Series is a five-book children’s collection from the picture-book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks. Told as rhyming adventures, the stories follow a quiet, clever ladybird who overhears trouble and sets out to stop it, alongside a cast of familiar farm animals.

Across the set, the ladybird repeatedly crosses paths with Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len, two crafty robbers with a habit of returning with new schemes. From the farm to the city, the seaside and a festive visit to a big old house, each tale centres on the ladybird’s plan to prevent their latest plot from succeeding.

Included titles

• What the Ladybird Heard
• What the Ladybird Heard Next
• What the Ladybird Heard On Holiday
• What the Ladybird Heard At The Seaside
• What the Ladybird Heard At Christmas

Key details

• Five-book children’s collection
• Written by Julia Donaldson
• Illustrated by Lydia Monks
• Rhyming adventure stories
• Features the characters Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len

Synopses

What the Ladybird Heard

Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len plan to steal the farmer’s prize cow. The tiniest and quietest creature on the farm has overheard them, and she has a plan of her own.

What the Ladybird Heard Next

Out of jail and back at the farm, the two robbers return with another scheme. After stealing eggs from the fat red hen, they decide to steal the hen herself, but the ladybird and her farm animal friends are on their trail.

What the Ladybird Heard On Holiday

Lanky Len and Hefty Hugh are in the city, planning to steal a monkey from the zoo and use him to pinch the crown jewels. They do not realise a crime-busting ladybird is holidaying in the same city, with an idea to stop them.

What the Ladybird Heard At The Seaside

The ladybird heads to the seaside, where the two bad men are plotting again. This time they plan to steal the mermaid’s hair and sell it to a famous star, but the ladybird has a plan to stop the thieves.

What the Ladybird Heard At Christmas

Visiting her friend the spider in a big old house for the festive season, the ladybird overhears another devious plan. Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len intend to steal children’s Christmas presents from their stockings, and the ladybird sets out to make sure they do not get away with it.