What the Ladybird Heard Next Play

The little ladybird is back, and now What the Ladybird Heard Next, bestselling picture book from Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks, has been adapted by author Julia Donaldson into a fun and accessible play script that children will love performing at school or at home. The What the Ladybird Heard Next Play has been designed with rehearsals and performance in mind, with a clear layout and colour-coding for each character, perfect for helping children to follow their lines and join the cast! The book also contains a hints and tips section, which includes helpful advice on staging the play and ideas for props. There are also ideas for themed What the Ladybird Heard Next activities, like making ladybird biscuits for your audience, and making a swarm of finger-puppet bees. With Lydia Monks' bright and distinctive illustrations and Julia Donaldson's hilarious and witty rhyming play script, this wonderful, dramatic way to share the classic story is sure to delight teachers, parents and children everywhere.

Julia Donaldson is the outrageously talented, prize-winning author of the world's best-loved children's books. She was the UK Children’s Laureate 2011-13 and has been honoured with a CBE for Services to Literature. Her picture books include the modern classic The Gruffalo, which has sold over 13.5 million copies worldwide, and the hugely successful What the Ladybird Heard and What the Ladybird Heard Next. Julia also writes fiction, including the Princess Mirror-Belle books illustrated by Lydia Monks, as well as poems, plays and songs – and her brilliant live shows are always in demand. Julia and her husband Malcolm divide their time between West Sussex and Edinburgh. 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 collaborations with Julia Donaldson include The Singing Mermaid, the Princess Mirror-belle books, Sugarlump and the Unicorn, and the phenomenally successful What the Ladybird Heard and What the Ladybird Heard Next. Lydia lives in Sheffield.