A cautionary tale for mice reminiscent of Carroll’s Jabberwocky!Out in the open, in the clear,Where any wisenmouse would fear,Jam licks his paw, he...
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Jun 27, 2011
Abigail
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In her picture-book debut, which follows the story of young mouse-rebel named Jam and his night-time adventures under a bright full moon, Denis Doyen crafts a cautionary tale in poetic language that will delight readers with its tongue-tripping creativity. Words are cobbled to words, and something new - the "qui-etiquette" of proper nocturnal mouse behavior, the "preycautions" necessary for small creatures to stay safe - is created. The tripping narrative is accompanied by ar
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(3 people liked it)
Aug 13, 2010
Lisa
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The title is the best thing about this book. I love it.
The illustrations of the moon and water and foliage were lovely, the snakes and turtles and frogs were nice too, but I didn’t like the way the mice were drawn.
The story just didn’t do it for me. The message of a warning not to take stupid risks seems as though it should work okay enough, but I don’t like the way it was told, and I wasn’t wild about the poetry that makes up the story.
I see that I’m very muc More...
The illustrations of the moon and water and foliage were lovely, the snakes and turtles and frogs were nice too, but I didn’t like the way the mice were drawn.
The story just didn’t do it for me. The message of a warning not to take stupid risks seems as though it should work okay enough, but I don’t like the way it was told, and I wasn’t wild about the poetry that makes up the story.
I see that I’m very muc More...
3 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Sep 16, 2009
Terri
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Unlike my sister, who unfairly gave this book only 2 stars, I love this piece! Lyrical poetry with beautiful language, even the nonsense words (which I prefer to call derived words); tone that's just right; nice theme; character development; beautiful illustrations. What more could you ask for? How about a teaching connection?
This is perfect for teaching context clues with upper elementary and middle school students. Give students the derived words on index cards prior to reading, a More...
This is perfect for teaching context clues with upper elementary and middle school students. Give students the derived words on index cards prior to reading, a More...
Jan 07, 2010
Jennifer
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The wordplay is the best part of Doyen's story of one mouse's nighttime adventure. Lots of made up almost words are used and the text falls into a rhythm surprisingly well since it's not always uniform. The illustrations by Barry Moser are done in a night palette of blue, black and green. While this palette makes the pictures very atmospheric it also means the book is more suited to a lap read than a storytime as children will want to look closely at the illustrations to find what's hidden in th
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Feb 02, 2012
Melanie
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A wonderful nonsense verse in the tradition of the Jabberwocky. Mice are quickly scampering along when all of a sudden the line is jammed up by a mouse that has stopped to smell a rose. The mouse is warned against slowing down the line as there are dangerous creatures around. The mouse in question proclaims himself fearless and sneaks away from the group. Out in the open, exploring along the mouse is spied by a snake in the water. The snake attacks! Night creatures along the bank hold there brea
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Feb 23, 2010
Tricia
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Upfront, i wanted to say that my 9yo agreed with those who think this book is too dark. Upon finishing (it was to be our last book before bedtime), he said "That was kind of dark to end with. Can we read something else?" His 6yo brother didn't seem to mind. Your kid may vary!
And while the book is compared to Jabberwocky in the description and many reviews, the rhythm and meter made me think of Poe's Raven. Maybe that added to the somber mood experienced by my son? But I did More...
And while the book is compared to Jabberwocky in the description and many reviews, the rhythm and meter made me think of Poe's Raven. Maybe that added to the somber mood experienced by my son? But I did More...
Feb 10, 2010
Jane
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Loved the writing in this picture book. Absolutely brilliant use of language! Really.
But, I struggled with the interpretation by the illustrator. I wanted the illustrations to reflect the nature of the text better, using more whimsy and fun and hidden silliness. Instead, the illustrations are quite straight forward, and the color palette is dark and a bit too frightening. There is a lot of movement in the illustrations, and they do accompany the storyline, helping to tell the story--I More...
But, I struggled with the interpretation by the illustrator. I wanted the illustrations to reflect the nature of the text better, using more whimsy and fun and hidden silliness. Instead, the illustrations are quite straight forward, and the color palette is dark and a bit too frightening. There is a lot of movement in the illustrations, and they do accompany the storyline, helping to tell the story--I More...
Jan 26, 2010
Princess
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What a gorgeous book. I loved the illustrations and so did my children. My 3yo son requested this book two nights in a row! The poetry is amazing and clever. I loved the wordplay and the story had a great moral. It's a good jumping off point for a discussion with a child of any age. Plus with older children you can really delve into the way the author constructs her words.
Some examples:
"the Mice were scoutaprowl"
"Night's qui-etiquette is shatt More...
Some examples:
"the Mice were scoutaprowl"
"Night's qui-etiquette is shatt More...
Nov 25, 2009
Becky
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I really wanted to fall in love with this book, with its Jabberwocky-inspired verse and illustrations by the accomplished Barry Moser, but I fell short of elation. Props to the illustrations for their dark-night feel and the fact that eyes will appear out of the shadows if you look long enough. But I guess when it comes to verse, it felt like a strain to tell this story in Jabberwocky rhythm but with different words. However, with the right reader, this could be a fun readaloud.
Sep 25, 2009
Jane
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I thought I was going to like this book. I mean, it's playing with words like scoutaprowl and inbetwiddle. But it's sort of dark and kind of creepy (which would certainly appeal to some kids but I don't know...) and brushes up against near tragedy. A skin of the teeth situation and a cautionary tale to be sure. Moser's illustrations certainly enhance the eerie setting and looming danger. It just left me feeling kind of yechy. Maybe I just needed a sunnier book today. Alas.
Dec 23, 2011
Marianne D.
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I am a huge fan of Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky, and Denise Doyen's picture book story has that same quality. I also love wild animals and wetlands so when you set a story about mice (although Barry Moser's phenomenal nighttime images makes them look more like rats - but no matter) in swampy wetlands, the book's already got a lot going for it in my opinion.
Clever, beautiful, a delight to read silently and aloud - and a cautionary tale to boot - this is good stuff.
Clever, beautiful, a delight to read silently and aloud - and a cautionary tale to boot - this is good stuff.
Apr 10, 2011
Carol
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There was something intriguing about this book, that I think students would like. I haven't shared it yet, but I can see them trying to determine the meaning of some of the many nonsense words by using the illustrations of the talented Barry Moser. The tale itself is one that we've heard before - a cautionary tale, but as is usually the case, the main character, Jam Boy, doesn't feel he needs to follow the advice of the eldermice. Will he be sorry?
Oct 26, 2009
Kris
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Liked it, but didn't love it like I wanted to. With words like "scoutaprowl" and "riskarascal" and the obvious nod to Jabberwocky, I wanted it to be a book I'd ache to read aloud. I don't know if it was the page breaks, but there were times when I lost the flow of it. Love Moser's art, and the spooky feel to it. Can't wait to share it with a writing class!
May 18, 2010
Geoffrey
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The cover flap of "Once Upon a Twice" mentions "Jabberwocky," so I get no points for drawing the comparison. But Doyen's work is a hint of Lewis Carroll, a dash of Richard Adams, and a whole lot of original inventiveness, with illustrations that can hold their own against John Tenniel. Rather than write a review that's longer than this wonderful work for children, I'll just say that readers of any age will enjoy the five minutes it takes to read.
Geoffrey Cubba More...
Geoffrey Cubba More...
Dec 18, 2010
Rachel
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This book was written in "Jabberwocky" style, and is a story about a young mouse who ignores the council of the elder mice and wanders off on his own at night only to learn for himself the dangers the night can hold for a young mouse. The dark tones of the illustrations set a great mood for the book.
Dec 16, 2009
Bill
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I am having one of those 3.5 star moments, but it is probably closer to 4 stars that 3. I loved the premise of this book, the title, the word play, but at times the verse was too forced. It is a good story with a good moral and great illustrations. All things said it is recommended for all.
Oct 30, 2011
Sandra
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Once Upon a Twice is a tale about a little mouse who doesn't follow the advice of his elders. It nearly costs him dearly.The story is written in rhyme. The pictures are all dark, but pull the reader in to the story. A great read aloud book for children of all ages.
Mar 31, 2010
Emily
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I don't know much about poetry, but I believe this children's book was in Iambic Pentameter. So fun to read aloud! My three year-old boy and nearly two-year old girl love the pictures. My husband liked it more than perhaps I've ever seen him like a children's book.
Jul 17, 2010
Connie
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This is an amazing book, full of innovative new words (which, unlike the words in "Jabberwocky", actually *make sense*!) and gorgeous (if slightly scary) pictures.
The story (about a mouse who runs off and almost gets eaten) may be a bit scary for some kids. Use your best judgment.
The story (about a mouse who runs off and almost gets eaten) may be a bit scary for some kids. Use your best judgment.
Jan 11, 2010
The story and the illustrations are pretty good to very good. What I really like about this book is Doven's poetic voice. The wordplay makes me so happy. It's written in such a way to delight both children and adults.
Nov 14, 2009
Chris
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Fantastic wordplay, reminiscent of jabberwocky. Would be great for reading aloud. I can take or leave the cautionary tale, but maybe the point is that the dangerous near-misses make for a great story to tell the young-uns.
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Feb 17, 2010
Jean
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I really enjoyed this story and the illustrations were great. My only concern is that none native speakers would have difficultly with understanding because of all the made up words. Has the feel of Jabberwocky.
Apr 29, 2010
Beth
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Read this book aloud! Kids are sure to listen intently and then talk about the mouse, Jam, after the story. The pictures are realistic and the kids spy the snake right off the bat. Listen to warnings.
Oct 31, 2009
Virginia
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A beautifully illustrated lyrical nonsense poem with wonderful made-up words. The poem teaches mice that when the moon is on the rice, in the middle of the nice, the world is dangerouse.
Jan 14, 2012
Kelly
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Jam broke the rules and now he is a source of wisdom. Great illustrations. Great use of compound words, prefixes, and rhyming words. Lesson is to be forewarned!
Oct 25, 2011
Rachel
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Openly influenced by the Jabberwocky so a clever, fun read-aloud, but my 7 year old girls were completely lost by the language and I had to interpret the entire story.
May 31, 2011
Karla
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Lovely play-with-words cautionary tale of an overconfidant mouseling who nearly comes to grief one moonlit night... A trip over the tongue read-aloud for children.
Mar 04, 2010
Lucia
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a rare treat of pure fun!! I love the way this reads with its magical un-words. Barry Moser's illustrations of the night life of a mouse and its stalkers is glorious!!
Feb 16, 2010
Mary
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With fun made up words(author inspire by Jabberwocky), and very cool illustrations this book is very enjoyable for kids and the adult who is reading to them...
Oct 28, 2011
Tanya
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Good book, didn't really capture kids interest very much. It has a good moral to the story, and I wish we had all liked it more than we did.
