Once Upon a Twice

August 10, 2009
In this cautionary tale about a mouse named Jam Boy who learns to follow the rules, Moser’s dark illustrations set a menacing tone while Doyen’s verse will be a challenge for the book’s target audience. Newcomer Doyen’s puns and invented words are sometimes clever, as when the mice are out at night “scoutaprowl” and Jam Boy escapes from a snake by quickly “scritchscrambl in a log!” However, the complex text often sounds as if the imaginary words were conceived to rhyme rather than to make a Jabberwocky-like, off-kilter kind of sense (“They runtunnel through the riddle—/ Secret ruts hid inbetwiddle—/ But one mousling jams
the middle!/ Whilst he goofiddles, others howl”). After Jam Boy’s escape, the text awkwardly announces, “Mouse years go by...” and the reader next sees Jam Boy as a bearded “eldermouse” warning that “The world afield is dangerouse.... Be Forewarned!” Moser’s (Hogwood Steps Out
) paintings, on the other hand, are a marvel of nighttime beauty, the rice paddies lit by a yellow moon and filled with expressive mice and animals who witness the story’s events. Ages 4–7.

Starred review from August 1, 2009
K-Gr 3-Doyen's utterly sound and alive story is paired with the perfect illustrator, whose deft touch provides all the eeriness that it begs for. The cautionary tale begins with the "eldermice" telling the youngsters who are gathered to play in the night air that the woods and ponds are filled with creatures dangerous to their kind. With gloriously nonsensical words and phrases (e.g., "scritchscrambles"), the author manages to get the point across that there is much to fear in the night. Jam Boy doesn't listen and instead brags that he is unafraid, and he stays to play alone by the pond. Here the language grows taut with suspense, and Moser's dark backdrop is punctuated with fireflies. "Half-submerged, a slender queen/Esses 'cross the pond unseen, /Sly serpentinebound not to miss]." Out of nowhere a snake roils, coils, and lashes. Splash! What has happened to Jam Boy? Children will be sitting on the edge of their seats awaiting some news about their fallen protagonist. Despite the dark feel, there is much to rejoice about in learning of Jam Boy's fate. Ultimately a story of youthful arroganceor as Doyen calls it, "furry overconfidence"versus the elders' wise experience, this wonderful book is a marvelous read-aloud that children will want to hear again and again. It is too good to save for Halloween."Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2009
Preschool-G In the tradition of Lewis Carrolls Jabberwocky, this moody picture book presents a harrowing night in a swamp. With danger ever lurking, a group of mice prowl about. Impetuous Jam refuses to heed his elders warnings about the nights many perils, and sure enough: . . . a slender queen / esses cross the pond unseen, / espies the furlickt mouses sheen, / sly serpentine . . . . Doyens agile rhythms and nifty near-nonsense language heighten the sense of being adrift in a threatening world. The tense climax delivers a cautionary tone, but not to worry: Jam lives to warn a new generation of the dangers awaiting them. Mosers luminescent mice lighten the pervading dark hues and deep shadows thatdrench the pages. Children likely wont be able to follow the texts sophistication on their own, but with just the right balance of scariness and comfort, this handsome book offers a terrific opportunity for a capable narrator to deliver a captivating read-aloud.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)