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Hush, Little Dragon
Adorable dragons search for a bedtime snack, in this heartfelt and funny debut picture book set to the tune of the beloved lullaby Hush, Little Baby. Full color.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2008
1 person is currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Boni Ashburn
11 books74 followersBoni Ashburn is the author of eight picture books, including Hush, Little Dragon and I Had A Favorite Dress. Boni lives in the Upper Peninsula Of Michigan with her four children and manages a school-public library.
*Please note: I give 5 stars to books I adore and MUST own, 4 stars to books that will stay with me in some way and that I almost-adore, and 3 stars to books I like. Two stars might be books that I like in some way, but most likely have some particular aspect that I don't think was executed as well as it could have been. One star means I truly do not care for the book- sorry. And no stars? Means I can't decide how I feel about the book and therefore I don't feel qualified to rate it. In any event, I hope no book takes its rating personally :)
Also, I prefer to use goodreads for its intended purpose- to give and find great book recommendations for the types of books I read. If I don't friend you back, it's probably because we don't read a lot of the same genre. For general network-type friending, please look for me on twitter or facebook- thanks!
*Please note: I give 5 stars to books I adore and MUST own, 4 stars to books that will stay with me in some way and that I almost-adore, and 3 stars to books I like. Two stars might be books that I like in some way, but most likely have some particular aspect that I don't think was executed as well as it could have been. One star means I truly do not care for the book- sorry. And no stars? Means I can't decide how I feel about the book and therefore I don't feel qualified to rate it. In any event, I hope no book takes its rating personally :)
Also, I prefer to use goodreads for its intended purpose- to give and find great book recommendations for the types of books I read. If I don't friend you back, it's probably because we don't read a lot of the same genre. For general network-type friending, please look for me on twitter or facebook- thanks!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
July 21, 2017
Cute rendition of "Hush, Little Baby," though some of the rhyme and lyrics were a bit awkwardly forced. It doesn't feel smooth enough to really be much of a lullaby. I did enjoy the fun, blocky illustrations though.
March 2, 2018
My first thought upon seeing Hush, Little Dragon (2008), my first thought was, "Those are some cute dragons on that cover. I must read this book." The book is illustrated by Kelly Murphy and written by one Boni Ashburn. I will be the first to admit the immaturity of my observation, but my initial reading of her name was "Boney Ash Burn" and I actually thought she might be using a pen name (I don't think that is the case anymore).
Anyway, Hush, Little Dragon is based on an English lullaby called "Hush, Little Baby" which some readers might know. It begins with the the lyrics
"Hush, little baby, don't say a word, Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird. And if that mockingbird don't sing, Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring."
though I have heard it sung more often with references to Mama. (Wikipedia has an entry for the song including full lyrics.)
As far as lullabies go, "Hush, Little Baby" is pretty tame (what with the lack of babies in tree tops or what not). It's also one of my favorites. That is, perhaps, why I was ill prepared to fully enjoy this parody of that song.
The book starts:
"Hush, little dragon, don't make a sound. Mama's gonna bring you a princess she found. If that princess runs from you, Mama's gonna bring you a knight or two."
The story goes on in that vein, with the mother bring her baby dragon various townspeople to eat, until the big finish when she decides they might have overstayed their welcome.
I love the illustrations, and I loved the idea. But I couldn't quite love Hush, Little Dragon as a whole, perhaps because there was something so incongrous about reading a book about eating people (albeit by dragons, which is what they naturally do) to the tune of a lullaby. I suspect that children who like dragons will not have my problem and will flat out adore this book much in the same way I was able to adore The Nightmare Before Christmas in my youth only to find it unbelievably creepy (though still sort of neat) at the age of twenty-three.
You can find this review and more on my blog Miss Print
Anyway, Hush, Little Dragon is based on an English lullaby called "Hush, Little Baby" which some readers might know. It begins with the the lyrics
"Hush, little baby, don't say a word, Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird. And if that mockingbird don't sing, Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring."
though I have heard it sung more often with references to Mama. (Wikipedia has an entry for the song including full lyrics.)
As far as lullabies go, "Hush, Little Baby" is pretty tame (what with the lack of babies in tree tops or what not). It's also one of my favorites. That is, perhaps, why I was ill prepared to fully enjoy this parody of that song.
The book starts:
"Hush, little dragon, don't make a sound. Mama's gonna bring you a princess she found. If that princess runs from you, Mama's gonna bring you a knight or two."
The story goes on in that vein, with the mother bring her baby dragon various townspeople to eat, until the big finish when she decides they might have overstayed their welcome.
I love the illustrations, and I loved the idea. But I couldn't quite love Hush, Little Dragon as a whole, perhaps because there was something so incongrous about reading a book about eating people (albeit by dragons, which is what they naturally do) to the tune of a lullaby. I suspect that children who like dragons will not have my problem and will flat out adore this book much in the same way I was able to adore The Nightmare Before Christmas in my youth only to find it unbelievably creepy (though still sort of neat) at the age of twenty-three.
You can find this review and more on my blog Miss Print
July 22, 2011
We sing this book almost every night at bedtime. My kids love it and have almost memorized the whole thing! Great bedtime book! My 5 yr old son & 1 1/2 yr old daughter both love dragons, dinosaurs, anything like that, so this book was a big hit with both of them.
We love the illustrations, and pause to add other sayings as we go along. At the part when "Mama's going to get a bit fiery" and sets the knights pants on fire, both kids laugh and point. Love the knight who's trying to run away, and the one covering his eyes to try to hide. We like the "mean old queen" with her fists up. We always pause to say "Put em up! Put em up!" in the Cowardly Lion voice on that page, and both kids box the air. My daughter likes to count the three musketeers, and then when "Mama's gonna stop their silly revolt" she says Stop!
Such fun to see my kids interacting so much with this book.
We love the illustrations, and pause to add other sayings as we go along. At the part when "Mama's going to get a bit fiery" and sets the knights pants on fire, both kids laugh and point. Love the knight who's trying to run away, and the one covering his eyes to try to hide. We like the "mean old queen" with her fists up. We always pause to say "Put em up! Put em up!" in the Cowardly Lion voice on that page, and both kids box the air. My daughter likes to count the three musketeers, and then when "Mama's gonna stop their silly revolt" she says Stop!
Such fun to see my kids interacting so much with this book.
April 8, 2008
"Hush, little dragon, don't make a a sound. Mama's gonna bring you a princess she found." This humorous take-off on the classic lullaby shows Mama Dragon bringing all kinds of medieval citizens to her baby, but they keep getting away. Knights, magicians, and a mean old queen all get away from those dragons. Finally, the dragons flee an attack and drift off to sleep under the light of the moon. This is a great choice for really young children who love dragons and for older kids who can enjoy the funny situations in the illustrations.
May 12, 2008
Yes, the dragon does get his fill of nice knights, princesses, kings, queens, and similar medieval characters. That didn't stop us from laughing and giggling to this brilliant take on the familiar song Hush Little Baby. We loved it! Afterall, dragon mommies love their babies too and a dragon's gotta eat.
April 8, 2009
For those of us who giggle at the dark stuff, and our kids who do, too! My 10- and 7-year-olds loved this, and so did I!
November 22, 2015
Cute lullaby and I like the illustrations with the dragons that hunted and ate humans.
September 18, 2020
Slightly demented and hilarious.
November 20, 2019
This story can be sung to the tune of 'Hush, little baby' and it is really fun. Mama brings all kinds of good things to eat to her baby. Kings, queens etc.
August 4, 2010
Fantastic book! I suppose the image of dragons gobbling up princesses and kings and knights might be a bit macabre to some, but I loved it (and for the record, I don't think that a child would be bothered by it)! It's also set to the song "Hush, Little baby don't you cry..." so it's a great sing along as well and I think it's hilarious!
September 14, 2011
This very cute picture book is great for any kid who love dragons! While it is set to "hush little baby" it strays enough from that theme to hold its own! And now my oldest asks me to sing him to sleep to Hush little Dragon!
August 9, 2008
I love the illustrations in this book and the author manages to spice up a well-known song, Hush Little Baby. In this version, mama dragon gets her little once a princess, knights etc. and terrorizes an entire kingdom to please her baby.
July 24, 2009
Best friend. Still rocks out loud. Uber-subtle people-eating with a sweet ending. The rhyme is brilliant and unique.
March 21, 2008
Cute variation of the classic nursery rhyme. Would be a great boy friendly addition to the Prince/Princess storytime.
June 13, 2008
Adorable! (To the tune of "Hush Little Baby")
"Hush Little Dragon don't make a sound, mama's gonna bring you a princess she found."
"Hush Little Dragon don't make a sound, mama's gonna bring you a princess she found."
September 9, 2008
Such a fun bedtime book -- for anyone with a sense of humor. Beautifully illustrated, too.
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March 30, 2009A spin on the rhyming song HUSH LITTLE BABY that is made more endearing by the engaging illustrations.
May 20, 2009
This is a fun spin on the song Hush, Little Baby but instead of mocking birds and diamond rings mama is bringing her baby knights and cranky queens. Kids will laugh and parents will enjoy the twist.
February 26, 2011
Clever. Well written. Morbid.
January 5, 2012
I don't normally review children's books, but found this at the library and LOVE it. Totally my morbid sense of humor. And Sadie loved it too. :)
April 15, 2014
Very funny and adorable illustrations!
October 9, 2017
"Hush, Little Dragon" took me quite by surprise. I didn't expect it to be such a delightfully morbid take on "Hush, Little Baby." I gave it a four star rate because of the shock value and lilting death catered to children, however, there were some minor irrritants. Predominantly the digital illustration style with lack of authentic detail in flat colors was not my cup of tea. The cover art alone would have deterred me had the title not included "dragon", which would have been a shame. I like the images and character placement within the illustrations but I prefer fairytale pencil sketches, especially for this sort of tale rather than this rounded Lego approach. But to play devil's advocate against my complaint, the pictures highly accentuated the humorous text. Yet my second complaint would be against how the text lingered, unnecessarily drawing out the conclusion - stretching those rhymes a little farther than they could read in the end. Nevertheless, the unexpected lyrical murder and mayhem is well worth the offense of the eyes.
July 21, 2017
As humans, we sing Hush, Little Baby to our little ones. It only makes sense that a Dragon Mom would sing the same tune with a slightly different tale. Think about momma bringing knights, princesses, queens and the like.
More Dragon Books at https://www.beyondthebookends.com/201...
More Dragon Books at https://www.beyondthebookends.com/201...
June 30, 2023
This twisted tale told to the tune and rhythm of Hush Little Baby, is about a mother dragon who brings her little dragon different tasty morsels to eat for dinner before his bedtime. Sure to delight even the most picky of eaters.
July 30, 2017
Lovely illustrations, not so lovely of a story. Kind of vicious?
August 25, 2017
This take on the classic nursery rhyme features a dragon and her child looking for lunch all through the castle. A little scary if too young. preschool and up.
January 15, 2019
*giggling*
March 21, 2019
This CAN be sung to the traditional tune "Hush Little Baby", but be forewarned that these dragons do what dragons do -- consume people!
July 29, 2021
Lullaby book for all the hungry little dragons out there.
November 15, 2021
Sweet little bedtime book based on the "Hush Little Baby" lullaby.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews