The ladybird whispered into each animal’s ear. Think of other words that describe how we can communicate with others (e.g. shouted, screamed, hissed, chattered). My real breakthrough was THE GRUFFALO, again illustrated by Axel. We work separately - he’s in London and I’m in Glasgow - but he sends me letters with lovely funny pictures on the envelopes. The thieves ‘crept’ into the farm. Think of synonyms which describe how people can move. Can you demonstrate each one (e.g. sprint, crawled, paced).

Think about the different sounds that animals make. How do we write these (e.g. miaow, purr)? Can you think of any other examples of onomatopoeia? Are there any other examples in the story? In this story we meet a very quiet but clever ladybird. The story is set on a farm where the ladybird lives with the rest of her farmyard friends. On overhearing two robbers plotting to steal the farmer’s prize cow, the ladybird comes up with a clever plan to stop them. Draw a map of the farm on the coordinate grid (see Resources below) and use the coordinates / compass directions to show somebody how to move from one place to another. Look at the adjectives that are used to describe each animal. How many other adjectives can you think of to describe them? Use the animal posters (see Resources below) and write adjectives on them. Remember to explore our teaching ideas for the sequel, What the Ladybird Heard Next. Teaching Ideas and Resources: EnglishThe animals on the farm are always making noise, all apart from the ladybird. When the farm is under threat from thieves, the ladybird - the quietest animal on the farm - overhears the robbers' devising their plan. In turn she then devises her own cunning plan to foil their attempt. What ensues is amusing and uplifting! What The Lady Bird Heard is a great book. Look at the illustrations of the farm in the book. Look at the different textures used on the tree / grass / buildings. Can you try to recreate these textures using different art materials? Identify the rhyming words used throughout the book. Can you make your own rhyming dictionary, adding other rhyming words for the ones found? Try to find where different farms are in your local area. What crops do they grow? What animals do they look after?

One of my television songs, A SQUASH AND A SQUEEZE, was made into a book in 1993, with illustrations by the wonderful Axel Scheffler. It was great to hold the book in my hand without it vanishing in the air the way the songs did. This prompted me to unearth some plays I’d written for a school reading group, and since then I’ve had 20 plays published. Most children love acting and it’s a tremendous way to improve their reading. Look at the pictures of the farm at the start and end of the book. Can you describe how they are different? Funnily enough, I find it harder to write not in verse, though I feel I am now getting the hang of it! My novel THE GIANTS AND THE JONESES is going to be made into a film by the same team who made the Harry Potter movies, and I have written three books of stories about the anarchic PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLE who appears from the mirror and disrupts the life of an otherwise ordinary eight-year-old. I have just finished writing a novel for teenagers.

Think about what stealing means and why it is wrong. How would you feel if someone stole from you? What happens to people who steal things from others? Write a character profile about Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len? what kind of people are they? Where do they live?