sounds good 2 me...
Tools for this page
Once Upon a Twice
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 4; suggested age 6. -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
Clever, spooky nonsense adventure isn't for sensitive kids.
Themes in this book include: growing up
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 6 and Up
The good stuff
-
Illustrations:
What to watch out for
-
Violence & scariness:
What Parents Need to Know
About Once Upon a Twice
Parents need to know that they should read this book through a couple of times before reading it aloud because the clever nonsense words can be stumbling blocks. Also, this may not be the story to read to sensitive kids who are already afraid of the night or upset about the notion of predators hunting prey. Kids who love wordplay, however, will love it.
Read our full review by Patricia Tauzer
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about nonsense words. What do you think "scoutaprowl" means? Or "inbetwiddle"? Or "goofiddles"? How do you know?
- Why did the elder mice want Jam to stay with the group and not venture out into the night alone?
- What is the "dangershine" of the moon, and why did it make the night even more dangerous to the mice?
- What lesson did Jam learn in the end? Why is he called the "Keeper-of-the-song"?
- Do you think his adventure was worth the risk?
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Great illustrations
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
- Great illustrations
Dramatic Imagery and Creative Word-Play in ant Award-Deserving Book
A special sense of fun and wonder pervades this outstanding new book. Denise Doyen's inventive story and language provides the fun (and some beguiling mischief and suspense), and illustrator Barry Moser's enchanted nighttime environment provides the wonder. The atmospheric setting is recognizable yet transcendent, and the word-and-picture imagery yields fresh verbal and visual landscapes for toddlers through grade-schoolers. This magical story about nighttime mouse adventures (and one mouse's particularly bold/foolhardy escapade), is one of those rare tales that adults and kids will genuinely enjoy. First-time author Doyen judiciously uses a literary device called portmanteau, creating a new word through the combination of two or more words that share meaning, sound, or both. The result is a poetic whole that communicates much more than its parts: Connotation, symbolism, and a kind of magic-speak that children spontaneously verbalize during language acquisition. Because of that linguistic realism, it's cute but neither cloying nor gimmicky. It's probably best to give an example. Here, in an early scene, a troop of cautiously crawling mice confronts young "Jam," a bold rascal of a mouse who blocks their path towards safety: "They runrunnel through the riddle-- Secret ruts hid inbetwiddle-- But one mousling jams the middle-- Whilst he goofiddles, others howl: Who's the holdup? What's the matter? Night's qui-etiquette is shattered! Eldermice race toward the chatter; Scattered line, slowed to a crawl. What do they find?" The mice have reason to fear unseen nocturnal dangers, for predators are wily and fast, with keen eyes and appetites. The following stanzas are set against a dark, reedy part of the marsh (punctuated by fireflies!), framed by a barely-seen snake at lower left, and a large bird of prey flying on the right: "Cold eyes of gold watch without wink For our ears and eyes of pink, From out the air, the field the brink, They slink up on a mouse at play. If those who swoop or them that pounce Glimmer just a whisk! An inch! An ounce! Jaw-claws will trounce a wayward mouse, Renounce jam foolery! Go home and stay." As much as "Once Upon a Twice" may remind some of "nonsense" poems (most famously, "Jabberwocky"), the preceding excerpt shows that the book's wonder and building suspense doesn't rely on neologisms. Doyen ignites our senses with her dramatic imagery and bold sentence structure even with "ordinary" words. They seem magical and ancient, as if we've discovered a parchment written by faeries. For every new clever word combination (for example, "riskarascal," "preycautions," "mouncelors," "wanderyonder") there are anchor words and phrases that make Jam's very narrow snake escape understandable for young audiences. Of course, credit also belongs to multiple award-winning illustrator Barry Moser, one of our best illustrators, and a national treasure. He portrays a darkened, dangerous habitat, but illuminates the foreground with just enough overhead and reflected light to focus our attention on each scene's most important elements. Moser imbues the animals with easily recognizable emotions, and he helps us follow the action by pointing their eyes towards the pages' focal points. It's a lush, magical place for youngsters, and reminds me of the very best set decorations on a Disneyland ride. This ranks among Moser's best work. Doyen is a master storyteller; her poetic images and fully developed narrative deliver sensational fun and excitement. It's one of the best kids' books I've read in many years; I predict both critical and popular acclaim. Doyen and Moser's rarely seen harmony of spirit and tone illuminate the extraordinary that often lies just beyond our reach. Note for Teachers and Parents: "Once upon a Twice" is appropriate for creative lessons in language, poetry, folklore, nature, and illustration, and the large format will work for group or individual reading. However, I see this new classic on a more personal level: An adult and a child creating their own special moments together while sharing the book. Over time (perhaps "once upon a twice") it becomes a treasured favorite, and a memory-making keeper.
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
- Great illustrations
Great action adventure poem! Fun and worth the challenge.
The rhyme and rhythms in this book are outstanding -- truly reminiscent of the Jabberwocky. The story is essentially the Peter Rabbit story: "Listen to your elders and steer clear of lethal dangers. But of course the little headstrong critter strikes out into forbidden territory and gets the daylights (the moonlights in this case) scared out of him. But he learns a valuable lesson that he conveys to the next generation. Pics are beautiful. The nonsense words are delightful and poetic action thrilling and fun. Yes, it's a little sophisticated -- but I think kids, most kids, maybe even all kids can benefit from a exposure to some real children's literature every once in a while. This is the best of the best out there.
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inOur Members Rate It
Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 100% | of parents say it's educational |
| 100% | of parents say there are great illustrations |
| 50% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
Have you read it? 
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
Lists for kids who love creepy stories
Fun Picture Books for Halloween
Best Scary Movies for Kids
- It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
- Monsters, Inc.
- Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie
- See all 6 titles we recommend
