title: Once Upon a Twice (Picture Book)
author:  Denise Doyen 
description: Starred Review. Kindergarten-Grade 3Doyen'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.<i>Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA</i> <br />Copyright  Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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  Just This Once
  
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  Jill Gregory
  
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  Praise for Just This Once
  
  “Refreshing characters, witty dialogue and adventure...Just This Once
  enthralls, delights, and captivates, winning readers’ hearts along the way.”
  —Romantic Times
  
  “Here is another unforgettable story that will keep you captivated. She has
  combined the Old West and the elegance of England into this brilliantly
  glorious tale. The characters are undeniably wonderful. Their pains and joys
  will reach through the pages and touch your heart.” —Rendezvous
  
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  First published by Dell Publishing, 1997
  
  Copyright 1997 by Jill Gregory
  
  E-book copyright 2012 by Jill Gregory
  
  E-book published by Jill Gregory at Smashwords, 2012
  
  Cover art by Marsha Canham, 2012
  
  E-book design by A Thirsty Mind, 2012
  
  This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents
  either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
  Any resembl