Hush Little Baby

When the nighttime shadows fall, Mama’s going to hear the crickets call. ~ Hush Little Baby, by Sylvia Long

Sylvia Long’s masterful illustrations have the timeless appeal of Clement Hurd’s Runaway Bunny and Milo Winter’s The Hare and the Tortoise from The Aesop for Children. Long says she changed the classic lullaby’s promises of materialistic reward (Papa’s going to buy you . . . ) to words offering comfort in the natural world. (Mama’s going to show you . . .) My thoughts: Papa needs to buy Mama a diamond ring. Fussy bedtime bunnies won’t find contentment in jewelry. Kudos to Long, for taking something beautiful and making it even better.

If you loved this cuddle time board book, you’ll also love Marla Frazee’s charming 2007 version, Hush, Little Baby: A Folk Song With Pictures.

~ Anna

My 17-month-old daughter calls this "momma-book," and she carries it around for me to read, and I sing it to her to put her to sleep. It's really sweet, and has a county, rural feel to the lyrics...about hummingbirds, the evening sky, crickets, lightning bug, old banjo. Now that last one gives me a bit of a pause, because in all the other instances, I can identify--show her the sky, listen to crickets, catch her a lightning bug. BUT, the banjo does go along with the rustic feel, and the bottom line is that between the FABULOUS illustrations, the prose, and the original tune, this is my daughter's favorite book. Highly recommend for babies, toddlers, and children. Very warm, very comforting: "the momma book."

Sylvia Long takes the rhyme from the classic "Hush Little Baby" and puts a fresh, home-y spin on them. Instead of the traditional book where it focuses on buying ludicrous things for baby, this book focuses on quietly sharing nature, love and comfort to the same tune. I feel comfortable snuggling my baby and 2 1/2 year old close and either singing it or reading it to them. Also, the book also talks about things that we have around the house or see around the house - a quilt, the moon, the evening sky, a teddy bear. Wonderful book - I love it!

I was pleasantly surprised when I recieved this gift set in the mail, as a present from a friend off of my baby registry. The gift set is beautifully packaged and the toy is soft and plush and makes a quiet rattling sounds--quiet enough to not annoy mommy, but loud enough for baby to enjoy. It is also curled up in a C, so that you can fit the bunny rattle right onto her cradle or changing table.
The book is great--A very soft and warm writing of the hush little baby song that focuses more on nature and baby goods other than diamond rings and such (as the original song goes). It's a great book to read to baby at bedtime, and very soothing. I'm glad we recieved this!

Like many reviewers noted, I always took issue with the famous verses of Hush Little Baby, being that they were all about what the parent could buy the child. I truly enjoy this version and find it sweet and simple. I'm not a tremendous fan of the illustrations, however. That's the only reason I did not give this book 5 stars.

The best thing about this book is the updated version of Hush Little Baby. Instead of a mother comforting her little one with promises to buy a diamond ring, she guides her baby to sleep building connections to the natural world. Mamma shows a hummingbird, the evening sky, the crickets call and so on.
The illustrations are lovely and tie into the story and will be a favorite for anyone who loves sewing or who quilts.
It is my 4 year old most requested bedtime book.

The illustrations are gorgeous. The text is from a famous lullaby so you can sing it to the child as well as read it. I bought several copies as baby gifts for newborns. My grandchild who is now two years old is totally content to have this read or sung to her, while turning pages to enjoy the illustrations, as part of her bedtime ritual

We borrowed 3 books about this song from the library to compare. This is a revised version of the classic song. It's a nice idea... to change the lyrics so that it isn't about a completely spoiled child. However, the new lyrics didn't do a lot for me. The only reason I would buy it is because of the nostalgia of the song... and if I'm buying for that reason, I might as well buy one with the classic version instead. So this wasn't my top pick. But it is a nice book -- I'm just being critical, because I was trying to choose between 3 options. :)

I was looking to update the original lyrics and wanted some ideas, when a friend told me about this book. Although wholesome, the updated text alone doesn't work for my child; there are many more experiences that we can sing to the original tune, which make bedtime stories more tangible, interesting and educational. For instance, we live in the city. I can't show him a shooting star - if we're searching for one, it's WAY past his bedtime. I can however, sing about the snow, the market, or the playground, park and the ducks.

The original text has better imagery for him. Also, the active verbs, like "buy" or "give" or others we substitute, keep him more interested than some of the passive verbs that the author uses. Try creating your own rhymes if you're not a fan of the original or this treacle update.

The tune on which this is based is considered a folk song, and on that definition, the original is an expression of how life is at the time of it's use. I appreciate Sylvia Long's effort to update.

By the way, it is reported that Syliva Long was troubled by the buy-buy-buy mentality of the original verse. Perhaps if she looked at the second verse she may have found the non-materialism she writes about wanting.

"Hush little baby mama's near,

To wipe your brow and calm your fears.

To kiss your cheek and hold your hand,

'Til you drift off to sleepyland.

To help you count those little white sheep,

And sing you songs 'til you're asleep.

To tell you tales of kings and queens,

And Jack and Jill and wonderful things.

So snuggle up and hug me tight,

And dream sweet dreams all through the night.

And every night when the sun goes down,

You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town."

I have been reading (well singing) this to my two children since my nine year old was a wee little one. It's my children's favorite lullaby! As a mother, I appreciate the sentimental moments portrayed in this wonderful new version of an old favorite, instead of the old "Mama's gonna buy you..." materialistic version. I highly recommend this book for your own family or as a gift for a baby or young child.

I bought several copies of this in 2003 as Christmas presents, and kept one for my new-born 2nd child. I have been singing this every night for 5 years to both my 5 and 6 yr old, and there's no end in sight. These lyrics are so comforting & wholesome, and the pictures so warm and memorable. I'm compelled to add yet one more 5 star rating to the many already here!

"Hush Little Baby" is a wonderful story/song. My three year-old daughter and I love to sing it together at night. The pictures are colorful and realistic with a lot of attention to detail. My daughter knows the story/song better than me! This would make a wonderful baby/birthday gift for children from birth and up.

My Children loved the beautiful pictures and references to nature. My mother sang me the original song, and it didn't make sense, this version includes lighting bugs, hummingbirds, and teddy bears that children understand. I still sing Sylvia Long's version to my children

I received this book when I was expecting, and it is a sweet adaptation of the traditional Hush Little Baby. It is very singable, and much more positive than the original - nothing gets sold, given away, or discarded. Perfect for before bedtime!

Hush Little Baby is a terrific book for the smallest of children (1 year old) to older children. I give it to all of my friend's children for their 1st birthdays and the moms love it. We read it over and over again!

Good concept, but still very old-fashioned---I don't know anyone, let alone a mom, who plays a banjo!

"If that lighning bug won't glow, Mama's going to play on her old banjo."

I thought it was going to be more up-to-date. One the plus-side, the board book seems good and sturdy...