Over at the Castle (2009)

Author: Boni Ashburn | Illustrator: Kelly Murphy | Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers | Ages 4-8

Buy Over at the Castle »

Over At The Castle is the second book written by Boni Ashburn and illustrated by Kelly Murphy. The loving dragon mother and baby of the award winning Hush, Little Dragon return in a variation of the folk song Over in the Meadow.

Both books have been selected to feature in the Society of Illustrators' Original Art shows in New York City, and Over at the Castle was also awarded in the 3x3 Magazine Children's Show No. 7.

From School Library Journal: "The loving Mom and baby from Ashburn and Murphy's Hush, Little Dragon (Abrams, 2008) reenact a variation of another familiar folk song. Well-rhymed quatrains guide readers through a medieval landscape populated with ever-increasing numbers of inhabitants (from one little dragon and two gruff guards all the way up to ten frisky jesters)..."

"...Suspense builds on each earth-toned page, as mother dragon advises "patience" while child eagerly anticipates the book's culminating surprise: fireworks ignited by the "whoosh" of the dragons' breath. Simple but richly textured oil and acrylic illustrations contain amusing details for observant eyes (the little dragon can be caught peeking inside the castle walls, and an "old wily prisoner" and his "pet rats five" can be spied planning and executing escape from the dungeon). A playful and comforting addition to storytimes."

From Booklist: "Richly textured paintings in subtle hues that fit the medieval period convey the chores of the occupants of the castle, and comedic touches throughout deepen the story and will have children flipping back through the pages."

← Previous Book Back to Picture Books Gallery Next Book →