What the Ladybird Heard Written by Julia Donaldson Illustrated by Lydia Monks

Directions

JUMP TO: SING · TALK · READ · TALK · PLAY

SING

1#The Animals on the Farm (Lyrics can be found in the video description box.) Play the song with your child and let them listen to the words. The second time through, invite them to sing along with the animal sounds.

2Point out the different animals you see in the song. Name each animal. “Oh looks there’s an ___________, and a ___________, and a ___________. Let the child say the animals with you if they decide to join in. If not, you are directing their attention to the animals in the video.

TALK (Transition from singing to book reading)

1Hold up the book you are going to read. Tell your child this story has animals in it, just like the animals they saw in the song. Point to the different animals on the cover and name them with your child.

2Point to the ladybird last. Ask your child, what is a ladybird? If they don’t know you can tell them or share this ladybird video with them before you read the story.

3Redirect their attention back to the book cover. Then say “I’m going to read a book, called “What the Ladybird Heard”.
“Hmmmmm I wonder what this story is about?” Make up a silly answer to your question, then ask the child in a casual tone, similar to what you would use in a conversation – “what do you think its about?” Wait for their answer.

4Transition into reading the story by saying “Well let’s find out.”

READ 15 Minutes

1Read in a way that shows the rhyming pattern of the story. Let your voice rise and fall as you go through the sentences.

2Before turning to the next page, invite your child to find the ladybird. Once found have them point to the ladybird and say “shhhhh”.

3Parent Sugar: Each time your child completes a prompt give them a high five or some sort of positive affirmation for participating with you. Show them you’re having a great time with them.

4Add a generous amount of Story Seasoning. Read in a lively, engaging way, using voices, gestures, and expressions as you read the sounds each animal makes. You child may join in with you, or choose to enjoy listening to you. Both options are wonderful.

5When you read in the ladybird's voice, speak in a soft voice barely above a whisper.

6As the ladybird whispers in each animal’s ear, lean over and whisper in your child’s ear. You can make up gibberish or something you imagine the ladybird might say about her plan.

7Invite your child to trace the path the ladybird makes as she flies from animal to animal.

8As each animal responds with a different voice, to trick the thieves, say “But wait a minute! That’s not the sound a ________ makes. They should sound like this (make the sound). Then ask your child what animal makes the sound they pretended to be.

Example, the goose said, NEIGH! But goose don’t say that, they say HISS! What animal makes a NEIGH sound?

9Make a big splashing sound as the thieves fall in the puddle. You can also make a big NEE NAH sound to when the cops come to take them away.

10At the end of the story announce “The End” as you close the book.

TALK

1Discuss the story with your child. Open the book up again, and show them which page was your favorite and what you liked most about your story time with them. Share a moment that just happened during the story time you spent together. Then ask them which page was their favorite, and what they liked most about the story.

2Compliment your child on something they did well during the read aloud. How they participated, how they laughed, how they listened. Pick anything, and celebrate them for it.

PLAY

1The activity requires adults and children to take turns being blindfolded as one person from the pair is blindfolded while the other person acts as a guide.

• Blindfold one person.
• Set obstacles around the area.
• The person who is blindfolded have to concentrate and listen to their partner’s instructions to safely navigate their way through the obstacle course.
• Switch roles and repeat the game.

2This activity really test parents and children’s listening skills and shows children the importance of listening carefully, just as the ladybird did.