Book Review: What the Ladybird Heard at the Seaside by Julia Donaldson, worth £6.99

Book review by VIP Club Member Chloe Burridge.

Review: 

I’m Chloe, a primary school teacher and mum of two young girls. My oldest daughter is 4 and a half and my youngest is almost 2. We love reading books and creating play through the books we read.

This is a beautiful story that explores the themes of friendship, kindness and adventure. As part of the ‘What the Ladybird Heard’ series, written by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks, it offers a sense of familiarity while bringing a new excitement too! Our copy is the hardback version and feels high quality, with glitter on every page. The glitter adds texture and a sensory element to reading the book, which my youngest loves especially. For example, you can follow the ladybird’s journey by tracing your finger along the glitter trail on the page. It’s also beautifully illustrated.

In this story the ladybird helps save the mermaid from two would-be burglars by working together with her friends. It’s a story of overcoming obstacles and teamwork. My oldest daughter also enjoyed searching for the characters hidden on the pages before they truly ‘arrive’ in the story.

We give this book 5 stars as it’s accessible, fun, bright and leads so well into creative story-telling and role play. We paired the book with some scented playdough and my girls enjoyed telling the tale orally while they played.