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Once Upon A Twice (2009)

by Denise Doyen(Favorite Author)

3.6 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0375856129 (ISBN13: 9780375856129)

languge

English

genre

Poetry

publisher

Random House Books for Young Readers

review 1: This is a tale of Jam the brave, yet foolish mouse who refuses to be cowed by anything or anyone. When Jam is repeatedly told not to go to the place by the water, he decides to ignore the Elder’s warnings and continues on his foolish adventure. Jam reaches the forbidden reeds and let’s his guard down as he basks in his victory over the elders. Yet, what lies in wait for Jam could bring an end to this new and exciting adventure with a ssssssnap of the mouth. Will Jam get the chance to realize his mistake before it’s too late?!‘Once Upon a Twice’ is very similar to the book “Jaberwocky” by Lewis Carroll. There are many words created in this book that are made to rhyme and not make sense. The new words are fun to say while they also encourage the reader to reall... morey use their ‘sounding out’ abilities. I had a hard time reading this book the first time and I had to reread the same phrase multiple times in order to understand the meaning of several of the ‘new’ words that the author created. The text is very well placed and helps you see the order of events happening as you follow the text from top to bottom and left to right. The genre is fiction with the plot being the average kind with rising action, climax, and falling action. The story is told well and there is a great meaning behind the text. Later on, Jam becomes an old elder himself and begins to warn the young children in his family of the danger that awaits them if they dare to ignore their elder’s warnings. This picture book reinforces the message that your elders usually know that they are talking about and that youth would do well to follow their actions and dispositions. (Although, many of us know that some people have to find out things the hard way such as Jam did) This book revolves around poetic lines the author uses to weave this powerful story. The illustrations are all dark with a full moon shining over each scene and lighting up the fair colored mice as they travel in their reed clouded world. The many predators of Jam are all created with dark colors that hint at a trace of darkness that accompanies each predator. The story creates the characters personalities and we can all identify as a Jam at some point in our life when we didn’t want to listen to our parent’s advice on a matter.
review 2: I like to have fun with wordplay, nonsense verse and rhyme. At times I have come up with some rather brilliant snatchets. But to weave it all together in a meaningful, poetic and well paced narrative that tells a great story takes mastery. And Denise Doyen shows it in spades with Once Upon A Twice. Her nonsense defines itself. You find yourself speaking this new language that you understand perfectly well. And it teaches a great lesson... Jamagination can be a good thing but you don't want to let it runscurry away with you. Once again it was the intriguing title and incredible cover art that first grabbed me. Barry Moser's cool night shadows with just enough warm light painted the world of Jam Boy perfectly.It must be read aloud. Sure that is true of most every picture book. It is especially true of this one. Have fun with the wordplay, the meter and the lyrical quality. And then... do it again... I intend to. less

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