Over at the Castle

By Boni Ashburn and Kelly Murphy

In this clever reworking of the classic folk song “Over in the Meadow,” readers meet villagers who spent their day spinning, cleaning, cooking, dancing, and more. The text counts up from one baby dragon to ten court jesters, and kids will enjoy counting along with each of the characters as they go about their daily work. At the end of the day, all the villagers look out their windows for a special surprise from their dragon neighbors. Readers will pore over illustrations filled with the same unexpected, warm humor of Boni Ashburn and Kelly Murphy’s first book, Hush, Little Dragon.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Feb 8, 2016
• ISBN: 9781613124437

Boni Ashburn

Boni Ashburn is the author of Hush, Little Dragon and Over at the Castle. She lives in Houghton, Michigan, with her four children.

Book preview

Reviews for Over at the Castle

[MrsLaceyGreen · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The words overlap making it very difficult to read , bummer.

[cheryl_in_cc_nv · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Clever, charming, fun enough to read again and again which is good because your child will likely want you to do so. Maybe not necessary, as I'm kinda bored of castles, and would rather see Over in the Meadow" reworked for the 21st century, but dragon stories sell, so this is fine."

[senspence · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a cute story about a mother dragon and her baby and what happens at a nearby castle. The two dragons are preparing for something, we know not what, and are waiting for the right moment. In the meantime, we see what goes on inside the castle.The dragons can be seen in the background peeking over walls and the like while the townspeople go about their business. This cute and comical but also helps create an air of suspense. It was also the thing my son enjoyed most about the book. I will not mention what actually happens.Cute story. Really nice illustrations. I would recommend this for young children, age 3-7.

[smlawrence-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This fun story is set to the classic folk melody "Over in the Meadow" as well as an introduction using "Hush, Little Dragon", it has catchy rhythmic patterns. Throughout the day at the castle everyone is keeping busy. There are two guards watching the moat, three young lords playing by the old willow tree, four servants doing the chores, and many more all the way to the ten guards. Then finally at the end of the day, the patient little baby dragon and his mother fly into the dark sky, lighting it up with their flames.

[roxygamboa · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Boni Ashburn writes this story in catchy rhythmic patterns. The story takes place in a castle. The mother dragon is trying to teach her little one patience. Throughout the day the story shows the different things going on in the castle and then at night finally the little dragon can do what he has been waiting on. Him and his mother then put on a flame show for all the guest peeking out of their castle window.