A book of traditional lullabies with a difference. Gathered from all over the world, these beautiful, simple songs give a flavour of different parts of the world as well as showing that soothing a baby to sleep is the same the world over. With words in the original language plus the English version, together with a melody line and delightful illustrations by Pam Smy, this is the perfect gift book for parents of new babies. The lullabies come from: Australia (Aboriginal) Austria Bangladesh Brazil Czech Republic England France Greece Greenland Hungary India Iran Iraq Italy Jamaica Japan Korea Malawi Mexico Nigeria Norway Russia Spain Turkey USA (Hopi) Wales West Africa (Yoruba). Listen to an excerpt from Hush, Baby, Hush! by clicking the Resources tab. 1983. We were on a beach in Jamaica. Sunburnt. A man came along selling long leaves of aloe vera to soothe the blistered skin of tourists. His name was Herbert and he had a great beach cry that really got your attention, a sing-song chant that lured you to his basket. We bought a few fronds and struck up a conversation. As usual, we were packing a tape recorder, looking for lullabies and other traditions for our Kitchen Sisters stories on NPR. At first Herbert sang us Chi Chi Buddo, a classic Jamaican children's song. Then he sang us a gorgeous gospel. About an hour later he sang us Hush Baby Hush, as the waves broke behind him, a song his mother sang to him when he was a boy.

About the Author

KATHY HENDERSON's award-winning picture books include The Little Boat with Patrick Benson, which was shortlisted for the Smarties Prize and won the Kurt Maschler Award; Look at Me! with Paul Howard, shortlisted for the Booktrust Early Years Award and commended in the Best Books for Babies list in the USA; and Lugalbanda, the boy who got caught up in a war, illustrated by Jane Ray, which won the Aesop Prize of the American Folklore Society and the Parents' Choice Gold Award. Kathy's previous books for Frances Lincoln include 15 Ways to Get Dressed, Tabby Cat's Secret and Pets, Pets, Pets. PAM SMY studied Illustration at Cambridge School of Art, part of Anglia Ruskin University, where she now lectures part-time. Pam has illustrated books by Conan Doyle, Julia Donaldson and Linda Newbury, as well as Bob Cattell's Butter-Finger series for Frances Lincoln. She lives in Cambridge.

Table of Contents

Introduction My Fat Baby -- Greenland, Inuit Heart-Finder -- North America, Wampanoag Black-Eyed Peas with Onions -- Turkey Candy Floss -- Iraq Stir, Stir the Chocolate -- Mexico Sugar, Bread and Butter -- India Oh, My Child -- Nigeria Row, Row to the Fishing Rock -- Norway Smuggler's Lullaby -- Wales Alulu -- Malawi Go to Sleep -- Spain Hush, Baby, Hush -- Jamaica Sleep, Sleep, Little One -- Japan Ja-Jangka -- Korea All the Pretty Little Horses -- USA Sleep, Johnny, Sleep -- Czech/Moravian Go to Bed, Tom -- UK The Sun Goes Down -- Austria Bedtime Aunties -- Bangladesh Not Luisa! -- Italy Sleep, Come Quickly -- France Hushabye, Baby, Hush -- Russia Ninna Nanna -- Italy Tutu Maramba -- Brazil Sleep, Baby, Sleep -- Hungary La-La-La Lai -- Iran Maranoa Lullaby -- Australia, Aboriginal Great Grandma's Lullaby -- Korea The Sun Sleeps -- Greece Music

Reviews

A collection of lullabies illustrated by Pam Smy and chosen by Kathy Henderson from all over the world. Printed in English and in their original language, with their tunes also included, they show the way that mothers everywhere have always entreated and just occasionally threatened babies who will not go to sleep. Independent This lovely collection of traditional lullabies from every corner of the globe features the songs in their original language alongside the English translation, as well as sheet music for many, too. It is an excellent resource for all settings, in particular for those that have children who are not originally from the UK to help them feel more included. Nursery Education An unusual gift for new parents. The illustrations by Pam Smy are captivating and evocative of the different traditions from which the lullabies are drawn. Green Parent There is a lullaby for every mood of the day, showing that soothing a baby to rest is still universal. Ibby Link A delightful book. School Librarian A wonderful publication which will benefit Britain's multi-cultural classrooms and make many parents, grandparents and babies smile. School Librarian