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Once Upon a Line
One rainy night, Wally's family finds an old steamer trunk in the attic. Inside is a pile of paintings drawn from a single line from an enchanted pen. They could only belong to Uncle George, who believed that all stories begin with one line and a rich imagination.
Award-winning author and illustrator Wallace Edwards explores the world of storytelling through a single pen line that grows into an image and the first line of a new story. Readers will be inspired to finish the simple stories that begin with "Once Upon a Line" or use the enchanted story line to tell their own unique tale. A key at the end of the book identifies the single line that is at the core of each image. An absorbing book filled with paintings rich in detail and color.
Award-winning author and illustrator Wallace Edwards explores the world of storytelling through a single pen line that grows into an image and the first line of a new story. Readers will be inspired to finish the simple stories that begin with "Once Upon a Line" or use the enchanted story line to tell their own unique tale. A key at the end of the book identifies the single line that is at the core of each image. An absorbing book filled with paintings rich in detail and color.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2015
22 people want to read
About the author
Wallace Edwards
44 books23 followersWallace Edwards was a Canadian children’s author and illustrator whose imagination transformed the world of animals and strange creatures for a generation of children. His illustrations don’t condescend to children, they engage the imagination on multiple levels, blending childhood whimsy with adult sophistication.
A Canadian illustrator and writer who won the 2002 Governor General's Award for his first children's book Alphabeasts., Edwards was also the recipient of a multitude of awards and short lists, the Gold Medal from ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year Award, and the Children’s Choice Award from the International Reading Association for Alphabeasts; the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award, The Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator’s Award, the Children’s Choice Award from the International Reading Association for Monkey Business; the Canadian Library Association’s Honour for Mixed Beasts; and the Junior Library Guild Award for The Cat’s Pajamas.
Born in Ottawa, Ontario, Edwards was a graduate of the Ontario College of Art, and his work can be found in numerous public and private collections. He has also worked widely with Metro Toronto Zoo, the City of Toronto, the B.C. Ministry of the Environment, the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, the Canadian Wildlife Federation, and various magazines.
On October 16, 2007, Wallace Edwards was nominated for the Governor General's Award for illustrating The Painted Circus. To date, Edwards has both written and illustrated fifteen published books, of which three have been nominated for this, Canada's most prestigious literary award.
His art has been described as “Curious and witty, sophisticated and highly original in approach…” resulting in work which is “visually pleasing as well as mentally stimulating” (taken from the Canada Council for the Arts web site). His children’s books have been reviewed in the Quill and Quire, the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, Macleans, the Christian Science Monitor, the National Post, the Detroit Free Press, the Chicago Tribune, the LA Times, the Washington Post, and the School Library Journal, among others.
Edwards was also a pioneering artist in virtual and augmented reality. In 2013 he was the Canada Council supported Artist-in-Residence at York University's Future Cinema Lab where he first began to create augmented and immersive materials. He has since gone on to create work in virtual and augmented reality exhibited at the international Electronic Literature Organization conferences in Portugal, Canada and Italy.
Edwards lived in Yarker, Ontario, Canada, and died on December 25, 2022, in Kingston, Ontario, at the age of 65.
A Canadian illustrator and writer who won the 2002 Governor General's Award for his first children's book Alphabeasts., Edwards was also the recipient of a multitude of awards and short lists, the Gold Medal from ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year Award, and the Children’s Choice Award from the International Reading Association for Alphabeasts; the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award, The Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator’s Award, the Children’s Choice Award from the International Reading Association for Monkey Business; the Canadian Library Association’s Honour for Mixed Beasts; and the Junior Library Guild Award for The Cat’s Pajamas.
Born in Ottawa, Ontario, Edwards was a graduate of the Ontario College of Art, and his work can be found in numerous public and private collections. He has also worked widely with Metro Toronto Zoo, the City of Toronto, the B.C. Ministry of the Environment, the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, the Canadian Wildlife Federation, and various magazines.
On October 16, 2007, Wallace Edwards was nominated for the Governor General's Award for illustrating The Painted Circus. To date, Edwards has both written and illustrated fifteen published books, of which three have been nominated for this, Canada's most prestigious literary award.
His art has been described as “Curious and witty, sophisticated and highly original in approach…” resulting in work which is “visually pleasing as well as mentally stimulating” (taken from the Canada Council for the Arts web site). His children’s books have been reviewed in the Quill and Quire, the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, Macleans, the Christian Science Monitor, the National Post, the Detroit Free Press, the Chicago Tribune, the LA Times, the Washington Post, and the School Library Journal, among others.
Edwards was also a pioneering artist in virtual and augmented reality. In 2013 he was the Canada Council supported Artist-in-Residence at York University's Future Cinema Lab where he first began to create augmented and immersive materials. He has since gone on to create work in virtual and augmented reality exhibited at the international Electronic Literature Organization conferences in Portugal, Canada and Italy.
Edwards lived in Yarker, Ontario, Canada, and died on December 25, 2022, in Kingston, Ontario, at the age of 65.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 1, 2015
This sumptuously illustrated book from Canada, filled with colorful, imaginative images rendered in watercolor, pencil, and gouache, brings to mind The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg although that book is filled with dark images. Both books provide images and a line of text perfect for starting a story. In this title, the materials come from Great-Uncle George and his pen. Additionally, in this book, each illustration starts with the same pen line and contains the same pen. Readers will love leafing through the book to find those elements but also will relish trying their hand at finishing the story started by the author. There are 25 different story lines--love the play on words here--all of whom start with the same phrase. Readers who are finding it hard to find the artistic line in each picture can find the locations in the back matter. This book will add plenty of creative possibilities to a writing class.
April 25, 2016
Okay, I have heard that some Storytime performers only read one book a Storytime and read it several times and then Storytime is over.
I've always maintained that, with the amount of fantastic books to experience and share, this style of Storytime would never be mine.
This book is actually the one book that I would be willing to do this with. You'd only have to read this one book to create a million stories.
Just imagine the endless possibilities!
I've always maintained that, with the amount of fantastic books to experience and share, this style of Storytime would never be mine.
This book is actually the one book that I would be willing to do this with. You'd only have to read this one book to create a million stories.
Just imagine the endless possibilities!
June 7, 2019
Not the kind of picture book that is meant to be read straight through.
Instead, it should be read one page at a time.
Would be great for inspiring imaginative play, story telling, or creating writing.
The pictures are rich and lush. All started with the same line (and a key in the book shows you where that line is in each picture).
Instead, it should be read one page at a time.
Would be great for inspiring imaginative play, story telling, or creating writing.
The pictures are rich and lush. All started with the same line (and a key in the book shows you where that line is in each picture).
October 16, 2017
Might work as story prompts for kids.
March 30, 2021
Lovely illustrations. But there is no story - there are sentences which you use to make your own stories. Not my kind of thing.
August 4, 2015
The title of this book is: Once Upon a Line
In this unique book each page contains a detailed painting found in the trunk of Uncle George, drawn by his enchanted pen. Readers are given the first lines to go with the picture and are encouraged to complete the tale. A great addition to classroom or home library this book will encourage young storytellers to imagine and create. A versatile book to be enjoyed by ages six to adult.
This book can be used in school curriculum as story-starters, young readers can make up their own stories, and adults can tell a different story every time they read it. I love the concept!
In this unique book each page contains a detailed painting found in the trunk of Uncle George, drawn by his enchanted pen. Readers are given the first lines to go with the picture and are encouraged to complete the tale. A great addition to classroom or home library this book will encourage young storytellers to imagine and create. A versatile book to be enjoyed by ages six to adult.
This book can be used in school curriculum as story-starters, young readers can make up their own stories, and adults can tell a different story every time they read it. I love the concept!
November 5, 2015
Each page has a detailed painting found in Uncle George's trunk, drawn by his enchanted pen. You can see where the line starts in each illustration and are encouraged to conclude the story. This book is a great story starter, explaining fairy tales and helping readers imagine their own stories!
Perfect for ages 6- adult
Perfect for ages 6- adult
January 4, 2016
I think this one would work great as a lap read, if you have a lot of time to kill with your little one. It would also work well in a classroom setting as a source for writing prompts. Apart from that, I wasn't particularly enchanted.
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January 13, 2016A family finds a trunk in the attic filled with fantastic drawings. Each illustration starts with a line that and has a the beginning of a story beneath it. It's up to the reader to follow the line and to finish the story. The pictures are fantastical.
February 14, 2016
A series of very short stories about an illustration that all started with a line. We looked to find the pen that drew the line in each picture. We weren't as lucky finding the special line though. Very fun!
The illustrations are beautiful.
The illustrations are beautiful.
January 18, 2016
This would be an enchanting choice for a creative family of storytellers. Also, a great introduction to looking at shapes and forms in art. Strange and lovely and meant to be a longer-term project than a one-night read-through.
August 20, 2015
Unbelievably fun illustrations! A clever book for saavy kids, oh and adults.
October 22, 2015
It's Wallace Edwards - of course I like it. But I really like that each page is an opportunity for a conversation with your co-reader. Imagine the stories that will be told.
October 27, 2015
A lavishly illustrated, charming, interactive and imaginative reminder of the importance of a single line and the fun of the creative process.
February 8, 2016
Fanciful illustrations and story prompts provide interesting possibilities for young artists and writers alike.
February 18, 2016
Lovely art. No through story. I tear my hair.
October 12, 2015
My daughter loved this creative book!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews