What the Ladybird Heard: Review

shhhhhh...
What did the ladybird hear?!

Title: What the Ladybird Heard

Author: Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Lydia Monks

Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books

Year: First published 2009/ This edition 2010

Found: Borrowed from library

What's It All About?!
The farm is a very noisy place, each animal has their own sound but the ladybird says nothing at all. One night, the ladybird hears something. Something very important indeed. She overhears two robbers plotting to steal the farmers prize cow and it's down to ladybird to whisper a plan into each animal's ear...

Review:
I don't know how this has happened, but this is the first time that I have read this story. Even as a nursery nurse, and with a copy probably within reach, I haven't picked it up! But I would definitely recommend this to fellow parents/child care professionals. Reading it to OJ was a pleasure.

This is a delightfully funny story; told through rhyme that we have come to expect and love of Julia Donaldson (Gruffalo, Gruffalo's child, Monkey Puzzle, etc).

The illustrations are bold and colourful and we enjoyed finding the glittery ladybird on each page. OJ especially liked the texture.
The rhyme and pictures really assisted in helping to maintain OJ's attention; and there was plenty for us to look at and discuss.

I thought it was clever how the story was put together and how the robbers (Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len) were tricked by the animals and how the would-be thieves ended up in the pond... and police car!

I really like how the story shows that being quiet and listening is as important as being loud and heard.

OJ:

Loved joining in with all the animal noises and especially liked the appearance of the police car... "NEENAH-NEENAAAAAAH!"

Book worm rating:

out of 5! (It's a winner!)

Ping Pong Pig - Review

Pigs might fly?

Title: Ping Pong Pig

Author: Caroline Jayne Church

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Year: 2008

Found: Borrowed from library

What's It All About?!

All the animals on the farm are very busy with their chores, all but Ping Pong. He is busy with his own thing -trying to fly and unfortunately, being a bit of a nuisance. It's the last straw when Ping Pong undoes all of their hard work with all his leaping about. The animals come up with a solution. A trampoline and instructions to use it in the quiet corner of the field whilst the animals continue with their chores! Ping Pong is so touched by his friends kindness that he decides to put things right...

Review:
The illustrations are bold with a cartoon-rounded look, which really make the characters attractive and stand out. This coupled with the simplicity of the story's language, meant OJ 's attention was maintained and he could retell the story with the help of the pictures.
Ping Pong can't resist one last attempt at trying to fly and ends up sending the fish in the pond flying instead - much to the delight of OJ. The story really taps into the humour of a young child (and the adult partaking in the story time!) which I really admire of the author.
I feel this is a story that demonstrates friendship and teamwork. It encourages children to think about helping others.
This book was a real pleasure to share.

OJ:

"Pigs can't fly mummy!"

Book worm rating:

out of 5!

Cock-A-Doodle Quack-Quack! : Review

Title: Cock-A-Doodle-Quack!Quack!

Author: Ivor Baddiel and Sophie Jubb; illustrated by Ailie Busby
Publisher: Picture Corgi
Year: 2006

Found: Borrowed from library

What's It All About?!

Baby cockerel is having a tough time. It's his job to wake everyone up but he doesn't know how.

He asks all the animals what they say in hopes to find the sound he should be making, but none of his attempts work until cat points him in the direction of wise old owl.

Review

I very much like the idea of this story; it is simple and a lot of fun. Repetition and animal noises keep children engaged and encouraged to join in.

In the story, the wise old owl tells the young cockerel to listen. The following morning, he follows the advice but the story does not state that the baby cockerel heard another cockerel on another farm, just that he tries to copy a noise. I found it difficult to explain this to OJ but I feel that older children will grasp the idea.

This book would be great in a farm yard/animal noises topic in early years settings.

OJ:

The first time I read this; OJ was in hysterics that baby cockerel wasn't making the right noise. He was delighted that he could tell me all the various noises that each animal makes and what noise baby cockerel should have been making! OJ loves farm yard stories and the story, a little longer than our usual choosing, still held his attention.

Book worm rating:

 out of 5!