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{{infoboxinfobox1
|title=When Dragons Are Dreaming
|author=James Mayhew and Lindsey Gardiner
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|format=Hardback
|pages=32
|publisher=Orchard
|date=July 2009
|isbn=978-1846164231
|amazonukwebsite=http://james-mayhew-author-illustrator.blogspot.com/|cover=1846164230|aznuk=<amazonuk>1846164230</amazonuk>|amazonusaznus=<amazonus>1846164230</amazonus>
}}
''When Dragons Are Dreaming'' is a perfect bedtime book. The dragon might not want to settle down at first, but after a short and gentle adventure, he snuggles down to snore. The simple tale makes it perfect for the very youngest of children to understand. There's a strong rhythm throughout, a little like the waves of the sea, that gives it a soporific effect (in a good way!)
Lindsey Gardiner's illustrations are lovely. I particularly enjoyed the collage effect of the leaves, which gives the book a style of its own. The dragons and fairies are exciting and varied, and do bear poring over. They strike the perfect tone: engaging and interesting enough to bear repeated reads, yet mellow and muted enough to suit the last book of the night.
As bad as stereotyping is, it'd be silly to admit it never happens. ''When Dragons Are Dreaming'' doesn't fall into the trap though - the dragons aren't too boyish for stereotypical girls, nor are the fairies too girly for stereotypical boys. It's just a pleasant, neutral book that will sit comfortably on any bookshelf. Recommended.
[[One More Hug For Nutmeg by Caroline Jayne Church]] is another enjoyable bedtime book, but with a gentle comic twist in the tail. [[It Was Bedtime In The Jungle by John Butler]] has glorious illustrations and a sedate, traditional pace to it, which suits bedtime perfectly.
 
You might also enjoy [[Boy by James Mayhew]], [[Have You Seen My Dragon? by Steve Light]] or [[Flight of the Last Dragon by Robert Burleigh and Mary Grandpre]].
{{toptentext|list=Top Ten Picture Books For Overcoming Bedtime Woes}}
{{amazontext|amazon=1846164230}} {{waterstonestextamazonUStext|waterstonesamazon=65758931846164230}}
{{commenthead}}
[[Category:James Mayhew]]
[[Category:Lindsey Gardiner]]

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