Christmas comes early as MCB swoops for latest Donaldson and Monks

Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks are teaming up for their 12th picture book, the fifth in the What the Ladybird Heard series, which will be the first to feature a festive theme. 

Macmillan Children’s Books (MCB) publishing director of picture books Hannah Ray bought world rights to What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas, with the deal for Donaldson’s text being done with Caroline Sheldon at Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency; Monks’ illustrations, meanwhile, were acquired through Hilary Delamere at The Agency. 

The title has the ladybird off to visit her friend the spider for Christmas. However, bungling robbers Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len are up to no good again, plotting to steal the children’s presents and the ladybird must come up with a cunning plan to foil their plot.   

MCB says the previous four titles in the What the Ladybird Heard series have sold more than four million units worldwide. Almost half of that (1.9 million copies) has been shifted through Nielsen BookScan UK, with the books earning £8.9m across all editions since the first title was released in 2009. 

Donaldson said she was “delighted as always” by Monks’ illustrations and that “the previous stories have all been rather summery in feel, so I thought it was probably time for the ladybird to have a wintry adventure with some new animal friends”.

MCB m.d. Belinda Ioni Rasmussen said: “[Donaldson and Monks’] clever little ladybird has been with us for over 10 years, and since 2009 that inspired story adventure has grown and established itself as a hugely successful family-favourite book brand in the UK and around the world. This new story is a perfect addition to the other adventures, and I am confident it will become a new classic to be shared and enjoyed every Christmas."