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All At Once Upon a Time

all at once upon a time

Credits

Age Range

Publisher

Awards

Year Published

Reviewer

Bob Hoose

Book Review

If a pretty young girl in a tower grew a long, long nose, and a giant ate a gingerbread house while singing fee-fi-fo-fum, the fairy tale story might look a bit like All At Once Upon a Time.

Plot Summary

Fairy Tale Land has had a bit of a shakeup. In fact, it experienced a kind of a plot-scrambling earthquake—one filled with glass slippers and house-building pigs, unexpected words and crazy storylines. Now, in the aftermath, all the tales you know so well have been jumbled together, and they’re taking some unexpected turns.

A brave prince, for instance, takes a bite from a poisoned apple and falls into a deep, deep … well. And a princess kisses a frog that instantly turns … cartwheels. Oh, and don’t forget the pretty girl in a tower who grew her … nose far too long when she told unfortunate fibs.

How will this crazy day all play out? Only time will tell. Or maybe the big bad wolf might just huff and puff the tale out for you.

After all, he’s kind of bored with just sitting around in that big ol’ shoe all day.

Christian Beliefs

None.

Other Belief Systems

The unfolding story points out the silliness of a jumbled-up fairy-tale world.

Authority Roles

Rapunzel, Prince Charming, the big bad wolf, Little Red Riding hood, a cloud-living giant and several other just-off-plumb fairy-tale characters get tangled up in each other’s yarns. And though they’re a bit confused about the twists and turns in their lives, they pleasantly make their way along.

Profanity & Violence

There are no bad words to worry over here. And the worst of the violence involves a prince falling into a well and someone singeing their tongue on some fresh-out-of-the-oven gingerbread.

Sexual Content

None.

Discussion Topics

Do you know how these fairy tales are supposed to go? Can you remember any lessons that are part of the original stories? Maybe you can go back and read one of the originals and think about the lesson it’s offering.

Which of the original stories is your favorite and why?

Additional Comments

All At Once Upon a Time is a picture book for kids who know the original fairy-tale stories. It’s a new mish-mash tale designed to be surprising and funny. The book is cute, colorful and problem-free (though, admittedly just a tad nutty).

You can request a review of a title you can’t find at [email protected].

Book reviews cover the content, themes and worldviews of fiction books, not necessarily their literary merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children. The inclusion of a book’s review does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.

Bob Hoose

After spending more than two decades touring, directing, writing and producing for Christian theater and radio (most recently for Adventures in Odyssey, which he still contributes to), Bob joined the Plugged In staff to help us focus more heavily on video games. He is also one of our primary movie reviewers.

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