All Things Kid Lit: Once Upon A Twice

Picture Book Pick of the Week:

Once Upon a Twice
by Denise Doyen
illustrated by Barry Moser

ISBN: 9780375956126

Random House, Oct. 2009

32 pages

Poetry

Summary from Authors Now and  Junior Library Guild:

“Danger’s lurking in the lettuce, / ’Tween the celery, stalkers get us! / Open moonlight is a menace. / Trust in shadows—disappear.” A mouse named Jam thinks he is too clever to bother heeding the warnings of his elders. He goes looking for adventure—but is he too confident for his own good? Full-color illustrations.

Once Upon a Twice is a nonsense adventure reminiscent of Jabberwocky. The story of a hero mouse, Jam Boy, and his nemesis, a water snake, will keep kids on the edge of their seats–waiting to see how  Jam’s moonlit antics play out. This picture book is illustrated by renowned artist, Barry Moser, in a series of dark emotive images. Mr. Moser has won major awards for his illustration and letterpress editions of literary classics. His work is included in the collections of New York’s Metropolitan Museum and the National Gallery of Art.

What 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?

Read-Alikes:

• Gorilla! Gorilla! by Jeanne Willis
• Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears by Emily Gravett
• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
• Big Bad Bunny by Franny Billingsley 

Top News in Children's Lit This Week:

Pooh Faithful Return to the Hundred Acre Wood

NPR

October 02, 2009

It used to be that all good things would come to an end, but these days, at least in the world of books and movies, there is always "the sequel." And so a new version of one of the most beloved children's classics — A.A. Milne's story of Winnie the Pooh — is being released.
  
Where The Wonder Goes

October 4, 2009
The Boston Globe

Hollywood so often makes a hash of children's classics, deaf to their quiet power. Globe film critic Ty Burr rues that sorry trend, but sees hope in some forthcoming releases.