Marlowe Theatre Presents WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARD, 17 August

Two crafty robbers, one tiny ladybird and a whole farmyard of fun: What The Ladybird Heard comes to Canterbury during the summer holidays.

Based on the award-winning picture book by best-selling author Julia Donaldson (The Gruffalo), and award-winning illustrator Lydia Monks, this is a new stage adaptation with live music, original songs, puppetry and lots of interactive fun.

Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len have a cunning plan to steal the farmer's fine prize cow. But they haven't considered the tiniest, quietest creature of all: the ladybird has a plan of her own!

What The Ladybird Heard, recommended for those aged three and over, is at The Marlowe Theatre on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 August (various performance times). Tickets are £12 (group discount available; booking fee applies). Call the Box Office on 01227 787787 or go to marlowetheatre.com.

Julia Donaldson is the talented, prize-winning author of some of the world's best-loved children's books. Her first picture book, A Squash and A Squeeze, was published more than 20 years ago, and since then she has written over 160 books, including the modern classic The Gruffalo. Julia also writes fiction, including The Princess Mirror-Belle series illustrated by Lydia Monks, as well as poems, plays and songs - and her brilliant live shows are always in demand. She was the 2011-2013 UK Children's Laureate, has an MBE from the Queen and there's a painting of her in The National Portrait Gallery in London! Julia lives in Glasgow with her husband, Malcolm, and has four grandchildren.

Lydia Monks is an award-winning author and illustrator, best known for her quirky and colourful picture books. Lydia has collaborated with Julia Donaldson on What the Ladybird Heard, The Princess Mirror-Belle fiction titles, The Singing Mermaid and most recently Sugarlump and the Unicorn. She is design consultant for the stage adaptation of What the Ladybird Heard.