Once Upon Another Time

by Charles Ghigna, Matt Forrest Esenwine, Andres F Landazabal (Illustrations)

Once upon another time, the world was young and new. If you want to know this world, there's something you can do... With sweeping landscapes and up-close details of the natural world, Once Upon Another Time takes readers through a lyrical exploration of the world as it was before humans made their mark. Contrasting the past with the present, this expansive picture book serves as a warm invitation for children--and all people--to appreciate, explore, and protect the magic and wonder of this planet we call home. Written by award-winning authors Charles Ghigna and Matt Forrest Esenwine, and illustrated by Andrés F. Landazbal, Once Upon Another Time is a stunning portrait of a world that used to exist, and can still be found--if you just know where to look.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Childrens, Poetry, Environment, History, Science

40 pages, Hardcover

Published March 2, 2021

About the author

Charles Ghigna - Father Goose® lives in a treehouse in the middle of Alabama. He is the author of more than 100 books from Random House, Disney, Scholastic, Simon & Schuster, Time Inc. and other publishers. He has written more than 5,000 poems for children and adults that have appeared in anthologies, newspapers and magazines ranging from The New Yorker and Harper’s to Highlights and Cricket magazines. He served as poet-in-residence and chair of creative writing at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, instructor of creative writing at Samford University, poetry editor of English Journal for the National Council of Teachers of English, and as a nationally syndicated poetry feature writer for Tribune Media Services. He speaks at schools, conferences, libraries, and literary events throughout the U.S. and overseas, and has read his poems at The Library of Congress, The John F. Kennedy Center, American Library in Paris, American School in Paris, and the International Schools of South America. For more information, visit his website at FatherGoose.com

Reviews

[Chana Stiefel · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Once upon another time, the world was young and new. If you want to know this world, there’s something you can do.” In this lyrical, gorgeously illustrated picture book, families are beckoned to leave their screens and the technological world behind to enjoy nature and reconnect with the great outdoors. When you do, take this book with you and just breathe it all in! Aah! A picture book much needed for our times.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated book with a lovely message. Lyrical text with mostly strong rhymes.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pacing a little off, as it seems that at first we're meant to feel guilty for despoiling the earth... but probably that's more on me, as an adult who has witnessed the tremendous impact of the larger, more resource hungry population on the world that was so much cleaner in so many ways in my childhood.

Kids will probably not take the discouraging set up too much to heart, but instead focus on the second part of the book, which beautifully encourages them to go outside and think about what has survived, and what used to be, and how to step more lightly.

[Sarah Verno · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - Gorgeous illustrations (!!!!) and a good message through the story. I didn’t care so much for the rhyming. The poetry style and syntax choices left me feeling like I had definitely just read a book written by adults for kids, which is what it is. Hopefully, it fills more children with wonder and imagination. Even if they don’t care for the prose, they will certainly enjoy the colorful illustrations.

[Kellee Moye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=2...

The authors use their impeccable rhythm to invite the readers to join them in the journey first back in time then to modern day with hints on how to enjoy the world today without the distractions of screens. As soon as I was done reading, I knew this book was meant to be read aloud (and I wanted to HEAR the rhythm and rhyme), and I was right–it is a joy to read out loud.

You are also going to be blown away by the illustrations. You open it up and are transported into the past where only nature was at its finest. The illustrator says that he was inspired to draw and paint at a young age from classic children’s books, and you can see it in the work as it is filled with wistfulness, lots of colors, and brightness.

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love. This books paints a wondrous picture of a world before people, and before the many changes we made on our home. Importantly, it never shames humankind’s progress, but shows how beautiful being in nature without phones or devices can be. And while it is uncomfortable for me to acknowledge, there are so many people who have never known a world without the internet, etc...So, I feel like this is such an important message. Fantastic artwork just adds that much more wonder to this.

[Diana Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, lyrical tribute to the wonder and hush of the natural world, matched by lush, painterly illustrations of wide-open spaces. Sure to inspire children to leave their screens behind and "take a step outside", breathing the same air that was "once shared by ... dinosaurs" and imagining where the wind has been.

[Lauren Kerstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I loved this book so much. It is filled with wonder and hope, beauty and inspiration! I highly recommend this wonderful book.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah, this lovely picture book is a 3.5 for me. This eloquent plea for appreciating the beauty of the natural world around us while being humbled by the brief time that humans have existed on this planet may have young readers heading outdoors for a breath of fresh air and to fill up their senses. Using carefully-chosen verbs such as "peeked," "rushed," "rose," and pitch-perfect poetic language that calls for being read aloud; for instance, "Wonder waited in the hush / of every new sunrise. / Flocks of sparrows rode the breeze / and filled the morning skies" (unpaged), the authors take readers back in time before humans changed the landscape and suggest that they can catch a glimpse of that prehistoric world by holding a leaf in their hands and noting its veins, staring into the sky, feeling the breeze on their faces, pitching a tent, gazing at the moon, and then watching the sun rise as it has for eons. Each page is a textual and visual revelation with sumptuous colors splashed throughout and the constant reminder that while some might regard this world as faraway and beyond reach, it is still within our grasp if we only put down our electronic devices, open our doors, and venture outdoors. The book's clever title captures all of this perfectly. The entire book evokes a sense of awe and wonder. And don't we need those now more than ever?

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new rhyming poetry book by Matt Forrest Esenwine and Charles Ghigna, out earlier this month, is a fitting end to our year of pandemic living, one that shows what so many have done during the year, going outside to experience the beauty of nature that we've previously ignored "before". In one long poem of "another time", Charles and Matt write when "The land was fresh, the air was clean,/the valleys lush with shades of green" poignantly as Andrés F. Landazábal celebrates those poetic images in his gorgeous and vivid illustrations. They don't ignore what was NOT before like "no drones or airplanes/flying past a smoggy sun" but help us readers relish the beauty of long ago, and by going out, now as well. They write an invitation: "If you want to know this world,/there's something you can do. . ." Among numerous other things, I loved the idea of looking up at the passing clouds, what Matt and Charles name "a ballet in the skies." You readers will love reading, sharing, and taking a walk in our wonderful outdoors!

[Taylor Galloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wonderful book takes readers back in time to before humans made their mark on the world. Readers can see the differences between the world in the past compared to the world now by the way the illustrator has presented them. For instance, if you compare the illustrations from the past, the colors used are more vibrant and alive, while in the illustrations, when the humans are changing nature, the colors become duller. However, in the part of the story where the author encourages readers to get outside, the colors become vibrant and alive again.

I would love to have this book inside my classroom library for many reasons since it encourages children to leave their electronic devices inside and reconnect with nature and shows how the world has changed over time. This story could be incorporated into many lessons regarding nature, comparing the past and present world, and poetic language due to the rhyming in the story.

[Jane Healy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful book helps children think about and understand that the Earth was not always as it is now. Poetic text and rich, beautiful illustrations will fill readers of all ages with the wonder of nature and a look back in time. The authors and illustrator contrast the "land was fresh, the air was clean..." with today: "There were no cities made of steel,/no buildings/no concrete,/no highways, byways,/billboard signs,/no traffic in the street." They then offer activities involving the senses that kids can do to imagine what that early Earth was like: "Breathe in air that once was shared/by monstrous dinosaurs!" The text circles back to the early Earth we saw in the book's beginning. Any of the illustrated spreads are suitable for framing and help readers see a different environment, as well as their own.

[Snail · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my 600th picture book logged here on Goodreads, and I wish I could give it a better score than two… the two stars are for Andres F. Landzabal’s charming art. The message is an important one, but the authors are not only heavy handed with it, they beat the reader over the head to the point that I wanted to go play a video game after reading it just to spite them. As if there was never anything “dirty” or “violent” or “bad” before humans existed! Yes, humans pollute and do terrible things. Yes, children (and adults) addicted to screens is a sad thing. But the “natural” world is also full of awful things, with or without humans. Feeding anyone this simplified view of reality feels kind of insulting to me.

[Evelyn Bookless · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly beautiful book! Both art and text are captivating. Once Upon Another Time is written in gorgeous rhyming text. The story takes readers back to the beginning of life on Earth, before people, industrialization and pollution, when "the world was young and new." Readers are called to discover this world by putting away their phones and screens and venturing outdoors to rediscover nature. A important message for the current generation of children and their parents. A vast array of fun things to do outside is shared with readers, who can't help but be mesmerized by the beauty and simplicity of nature as presented in the stunning images and words in this book.

[Andrea W · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fairytale for life on this planet in our modern times, what it once was, and what it could be, as told in a beautiful lyrical voice of two brilliant poets singing in perfect harmony. Splendid illustrations in bright tones and marvelously intentional strokes paint a landscape we can all aspire to inhabit.

This magnificent ode to living life on this planet fully, responsibly, sustainably, and thoughtfully is right and perfect for any age containing wonderful reminders that children and caregivers can cherish together. Read this at bedtime to remind our little ones of the beautiful world they have to wake back up to every morning.

[Aolund · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty book about appreciating nature and imagining what the world was like before humans. While this book is pleasant, and advocates for experiencing and enjoying nature, it stops short of suggesting that the best way to appreciate nature is to fight against its destruction. Still, this could be a good way to start the conversation. Rhyming text. The illustrations appear to be digitally made and didn't inspire me, but were fine.

Themes: Nature, History, Earth, Slow Down,
Age range: Preschool-Early Elementary

[Alissa Tsaparikos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lyrical and smooth rhymes, buoyed by lush and beautiful illustrations make this a more than pleasant read. I liked that the story is both a reminder to enjoy and respect the natural world as well a slight warning against plundering it. However it is not heavy handed or doomsday which was nice. Those stories have their place, but occasionally it feels good to take a breath of air and know that we can still enjoy and love our world. It isn't too late for that.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the message of the book, to experience the world as it was made, fresh and beautiful, immersed in nature, but my thought is that this is all not just in the past as presented here, but present. As well, the rejoinder to "leave behind the phones and screens" has a whisper of bossiness and judgement about it. There are also moments where the rhyme does not quite scan. But I am being rather judgmental myself. This is still a sweet read, with lovely illustrations by Andrés F. Landazábal.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book hopefully will inspire children to leave behind the world of technology and get to know the world that has been around since the dawn of time. To breathe in the air that the dinosaurs breathed, to run across the same land that millions of people have, to experience a time and place before you were born, to re-introduce ourselves to the outside world and bask in all its beauty. I loved the messaging here and the artwork. My rating - 4/5

[Samantha Fraenkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a lovely time reading this with my young daughter. Stunning illustrations accompany the important concept of how much the world has changed and how it continues to do so. It also emphasizes just how important, and enjoyable, nature is! A great read to add to your library.

ARC Provided by Edelweiss

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lush art and mesmerizing verse spin a magical tale ... of the natural world, as it was before humans. The beauty of the text is not merely a comparison of then and now; it is an invitation to get outside and discover the world before our eyes and under our feet. Engaging, encouraging, and illuminating!

[Cara Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Look up as the passing clouds drift before your eyes. Behold, their wondrous dance unfolds - a ballet in the skies. Walk through sunny fields of grass. Climb a maple tree. Smell the clover, wild and sweet. Listen to the bees."

A gentle love letter to the natural world - especially one that is honored and untouched by humans.

[Marcus Wolfshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book with its message and beautiful illustrations. Its simple but holds a lot of meaning of exploring the world around us. I like the idea of getting away from technology. The author writes a beautiful book illustrating the beauty of the natural world. I highly recommend this book for its simplicity told in rhyme.

[Michelle Schaub · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lyrical language in this book is breathtaking, as are the bright, cozy illustrations. Once Upon Another Time mesmerized me from start to finish and made me want to head outside and “Chase a rainbow. Taste the rain.”

[Little Seesaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a phenomenal title...Once upon another time. I loved it from the moment I checked it out at the library. This is such a wonderful book to read to kids. I think I need to buy this one. I loved the rhyming and how the book suggested to go outside and explore.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful rhyming picture book extolling the beauty of nature and how things were before technology/human interference. The message is a little tiresome at this point, but it's at least done well here.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rhyming ode to the natural world, depicted in mostly warm, fuzzy illustrations contrasted with the dark, cold-toned illustration of the man-made city. The book encourages children to find this lost world.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful exploration of the world before humankind came along and then some suggestions for readers on how to experience and enjoy nature. Lyrical rhyme coupled with wonderful art. A gentle reminder and invitation to get outside and bask in the glory of nature. Great Earth Day selection too.

[Suhasini Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful rhyming book, inviting readers to explore the magical world, to appreciate the nature and to preserve the beauty of our home. Must read to your kids especially when they are so busy with their devices and gadgets. This book will prompt them to get curious about our wonderful nature.

[Jenna Daucunas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and the cover of the book is so soft and inviting. The rhyme/rhythm, as expected from Ghigna, is just perfectly spot on in telling a very important story to inspire kids to care about the environment and get OUTSIDE!!!