Join everyone’s favourite ladybird in this fantastically funny farmyard caper from the stellar picture book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks, creators of What the Ladybird Heard.

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 planning 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. With slapstick action, animal noises and a mysterious Snuggly Snerd bird, What the Ladybird Heard Next is a story you’ll be reading over and over again.

Enjoy more adventures with the clever little ladybird in What the Ladybird Heard, What the Ladybird Heard on Holiday and What the Ladybird Heard at the Seaside.

JULIA DONALDSON

Julia Donaldson has written some of the world’s best-loved children’s books, including modern classics The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child, illustrated by Axel Scheffler, which together have sold over 25 million copies worldwide and have been translated into over one hundred languages. Further books illustrated by Axel include Room on the Broom, Stick Man, Zog and The Smeds and the Smoos - all of which have been made into much-loved animated films by Magic Light Pictures. Her other books include The Hospital Dog illustrated by Sara Ogilvie, The Christmas Pine illustrated by Victoria Sandøy and the hugely successful What the Ladybird Heard adventures illustrated by Lydia Monks. Julia also writes fiction, including the Princess Mirror-Belle series illustrated by Lydia Monks which has been made into a successful CBBC series, as well as poems, plays and songs - and her brilliant live shows are always in demand. She was the UK Children’s Laureate 2011-13 and has been honoured with a CBE for Services to Literature. Julia and her husband Malcolm divide their time between West Sussex and Edinburgh.