Once: A Lullaby by B. P. Nichol

by bpNichol

Caldecott Honor Book medalist Anita Lobel has taken the words of a simple, mesmerizing lullaby and transformed them into a threatrical picture-book extravaganza. Full-color illustrations.

Genres: Childrens

Hardcover

First published August 1, 1986

About the author

Barrie Phillip Nichol, known as bpNichol, was a Canadian poet, writer, sound poet, editor and grOnk/Ganglia Press publisher. His body of work encompasses poetry, children's books, television scripts, novels, short fiction, computer texts, and sound poetry. His love of language and writing, evident in his many accomplishments, continues to be carried forward by many.

Reviews

[Poet’s Pulpit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I read to my son while he was still in the NICU. This book holds a special place in my heart!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this up at a thrift store and it has turned into one of our FAVORITE bedtime books. Sweet little lullaby makes up the simple "story".. the illustrations are the best part! The attention to detail and theme are amazing. Everything down to the lace on the comforters and frame on the walls fits a different theme for each page. Love it!

(The end of the book contains the melody so you can "sing the book" if you'd like. ) ;)

Here is a review that pulls up on google (can't figure out how to link to it)

Eighteen verses (""Once I was a little ...
... cow, baby cow, little cow. Once I was a little cow. MOO, I fell asleep""--each verse identical except for mentioning a different animal) provide a vehicle for some of Lobel's loveliest pen and ... more » watercolor artwork since On Market Street. Even before the title page, Lobel sets the scene (literally: each page is framed in night-dark curtains studded with stars) with a pair of views of a rustic cottage at sunset and moonrise. Then come her variations on tho verses' limited theme. Each full page includes a small creature comfortably tucked in with a toy version of itself, mother and father watching over from a headboard inset, a family portrait, a heap of cleverly titled books, and a wealth of appropriate decorative detail (the wallpaper is delectable). Last come boy (theme: ships) and girl (theme: Cinderella; but she has a book on motorcycles) and a recapitulation with music, as bland and soporific as the verse. A nostalgic visual paean to the nuclear family, to be pored over and shared.

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh. Extremely boring and repetitive. Whatever child enjoys this must have the intelligence of a watermelon. Reading this to them will not increase that intelligence, either. It includes the sheet music, so I gave it a bonus half-star. The illustrations are pretty ugly, too.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

intricately illustrated song book for music and movement or bedtime story (or evening storytime). tune similiar to mary had a little lamb.