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Once There Was a Boy
Once there was a boy is a universal story of friendship, temptation and reconciliation.
This whimsical picture book is the touching story of a little boy with a broken heart who meets a young girl who shares his secret.
The timeless and elegant tale is transformed into a beautiful grown-up story by the use of sophisticated analogies, such as the heart as love or friendship and the sapotes as forbidden fruit.
With disarmingly innocent language, once there was a boy belies an emotional depth that allows the author to reach out to both the young, and the young at heart.
This whimsical picture book is the touching story of a little boy with a broken heart who meets a young girl who shares his secret.
The timeless and elegant tale is transformed into a beautiful grown-up story by the use of sophisticated analogies, such as the heart as love or friendship and the sapotes as forbidden fruit.
With disarmingly innocent language, once there was a boy belies an emotional depth that allows the author to reach out to both the young, and the young at heart.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
2 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Dub Leffler
15 books3 followersDub (David) Leffler is one of thirteen children and grew up in the small town of Quirindi, south of Tamworth in New South Wales, Australia. He is descended from the Bigambul and Mandandanji people of south-west Queensland.
He began his visual arts career as an animator and has worked as a muralist and art teacher. He has illustrated several children’s books and has collaborated with internationally recognised illustrators such as Colin Thompson, Shaun Tan and Banksy.
He began his visual arts career as an animator and has worked as a muralist and art teacher. He has illustrated several children’s books and has collaborated with internationally recognised illustrators such as Colin Thompson, Shaun Tan and Banksy.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 7, 2021
Had a chance to meet the author and hear his story. He explained that he wrote the book he wanted to read as a child.
April 6, 2021
This is the story of a young boy living alone on an island. When a mysterious girl finds him and starts eating his food and using his things without asking, he feels annoyed and angry. However, he soon learns the importance of friendship and forgiveness when feelings are unintentionally hurt by our friends.
The author/illustrator of this story, Dub Leffler, states on the back cover that this story was written with the purpose to show that boys, too, have feelings and the understanding that when your feelings are hurt or you are feeling sad, it is okay to accept help from our friends. This is an extremely important message to convey in today’s society.
Although not directly addressed, one could not help but make a subtle comparison of this storyline with hidden symbolic visual elements to the events of the British invasion of Australia, the Australian Government’s attempts at reconciliation, and a shared mutual love of the country.
The author/illustrator of this story, Dub Leffler, states on the back cover that this story was written with the purpose to show that boys, too, have feelings and the understanding that when your feelings are hurt or you are feeling sad, it is okay to accept help from our friends. This is an extremely important message to convey in today’s society.
Although not directly addressed, one could not help but make a subtle comparison of this storyline with hidden symbolic visual elements to the events of the British invasion of Australia, the Australian Government’s attempts at reconciliation, and a shared mutual love of the country.
April 29, 2014
Over double the length of a 'normal' picture book but as Miss 8 pointed out not overly wordy. Succinct and subtle with sublime artwork by David Leffler. A beautiful exploration and positive affirmation of the feelings boys have too.
February 2, 2012
Beautiful drawings with a lovely story. Enjoyable for adult and children alike, which is a plus when you are reading to your babies...
July 17, 2019
This is undoubtedly one of the most sophisticated children's books in my library and teaching repertoire. The plot centres around the title character who lives by himself on an island. One day, a girl arrives on the island, disrupting the boy’s way of life. Their different ways of relating to place and to each other, lead to conflict between the two children. The story concludes with an apology, an act of forgiveness, and a tentative connection with an intention for a stronger friendship.
With obvious parallels to Indigenous-Invader histories, it would be easy to dismiss the text as too 'confrontational' for young children in favour of authors such as Mem Fox who suggest ‘we are all (mostly) the same’. However, here Leffler is an utter expert: this is not an instruction in how children should navigate sameness and difference.
Rather, Leffler uses gentle metaphor and imagery to depict a profound connection between the boy and island - there is no explicit discussion of ownership and ethnicity. This effectively shifts the focus from the external labels and representations of difference that adults are often concerned with, to simply highlighting the different ways that the characters relate to place and their struggle to find an intersection. This potentially provides a more genuine framework for children to engage in navigating similarities and differences, than those texts that tell us simply to ‘be nice’ to each other and ignore our differences.
The other major theme in this story is the inner emotional vulnerability of boys, and how resilience is constructed through tears and vulnerability - rather than toughness and hardening. Using a third-person narrative which switches and weaves between the boy’s and the girl’s points of view, Leffler effectively blurs binary (us/ them) discourses of exclusivity. These uncertain and mutable identities offer pathways for children to engage in multiple ways, shifting their own location of power and identity in relationship to the story.
The other thing I must mention about this book is the glorious illustrations. Truly spectacular images that any Australian person who has spent time on our coastline will connect with. I have often use this beautiful book as a wonderful provocation for children to explore their early concepts about sand, rocks, earth and water.
Teachers (and perhaps some of us as parents?) often struggle with ways to support learning and appreciation of contemporary Indigenous perspectives in preschool - this text is an exquisite resource.
With obvious parallels to Indigenous-Invader histories, it would be easy to dismiss the text as too 'confrontational' for young children in favour of authors such as Mem Fox who suggest ‘we are all (mostly) the same’. However, here Leffler is an utter expert: this is not an instruction in how children should navigate sameness and difference.
Rather, Leffler uses gentle metaphor and imagery to depict a profound connection between the boy and island - there is no explicit discussion of ownership and ethnicity. This effectively shifts the focus from the external labels and representations of difference that adults are often concerned with, to simply highlighting the different ways that the characters relate to place and their struggle to find an intersection. This potentially provides a more genuine framework for children to engage in navigating similarities and differences, than those texts that tell us simply to ‘be nice’ to each other and ignore our differences.
The other major theme in this story is the inner emotional vulnerability of boys, and how resilience is constructed through tears and vulnerability - rather than toughness and hardening. Using a third-person narrative which switches and weaves between the boy’s and the girl’s points of view, Leffler effectively blurs binary (us/ them) discourses of exclusivity. These uncertain and mutable identities offer pathways for children to engage in multiple ways, shifting their own location of power and identity in relationship to the story.
The other thing I must mention about this book is the glorious illustrations. Truly spectacular images that any Australian person who has spent time on our coastline will connect with. I have often use this beautiful book as a wonderful provocation for children to explore their early concepts about sand, rocks, earth and water.
Teachers (and perhaps some of us as parents?) often struggle with ways to support learning and appreciation of contemporary Indigenous perspectives in preschool - this text is an exquisite resource.
October 1, 2020
A beautiful story that explores the feelings and emotions that young children experience.
Once There was a Boy tells the story of young boy who lives on a deserted island. His home is a boat that is carved out of an ancient tree and he spends his days picking fruit that tastes like chocolate and climbing the mangrove trees. One day a girl appears and leaves the boy little choice but to accept her as a friend. But friendship is the most delicate of things and when the girl’s curiosity leads her to a precious box, the boy’s heart will be broken.
This is a hard-hitting and emotional picture book that deals with so many issues. The girl forces herself into the boy’s world and he is very accepting of her. He feeds her, lets her sleep in his hammock (although it could be argued that he didn’t have a choice) and is happy enough to leave her alone in his home when goes off to get breakfast. Children are often very trusting of each other and this plays out beautifully through the note that the boy leaves the girl asking her not to look under his bed. Drawn by her curiosity, the girl can not resist temptation and the trust is broken as she breaks something that is most dear to the boy. Following on from this event the boy and girl experience sadness, despair and regret. The book does have a happy ending as the girl is able to offer something to mend the friendship and reconciliation triumphs over sadness. There are so many layers in this book and it is well worth taking the time to discuss the text.
This is a book of few words with many of the pages featuring little text and some pages are wordless. The artwork is beautiful and the wordless pages allow for exploration of the pictures and encourage readers to make their own interpretations.
It is an emotional roller coaster for both the boy in the story and the reader.
Recommended for 7+.
Once There was a Boy tells the story of young boy who lives on a deserted island. His home is a boat that is carved out of an ancient tree and he spends his days picking fruit that tastes like chocolate and climbing the mangrove trees. One day a girl appears and leaves the boy little choice but to accept her as a friend. But friendship is the most delicate of things and when the girl’s curiosity leads her to a precious box, the boy’s heart will be broken.
This is a hard-hitting and emotional picture book that deals with so many issues. The girl forces herself into the boy’s world and he is very accepting of her. He feeds her, lets her sleep in his hammock (although it could be argued that he didn’t have a choice) and is happy enough to leave her alone in his home when goes off to get breakfast. Children are often very trusting of each other and this plays out beautifully through the note that the boy leaves the girl asking her not to look under his bed. Drawn by her curiosity, the girl can not resist temptation and the trust is broken as she breaks something that is most dear to the boy. Following on from this event the boy and girl experience sadness, despair and regret. The book does have a happy ending as the girl is able to offer something to mend the friendship and reconciliation triumphs over sadness. There are so many layers in this book and it is well worth taking the time to discuss the text.
This is a book of few words with many of the pages featuring little text and some pages are wordless. The artwork is beautiful and the wordless pages allow for exploration of the pictures and encourage readers to make their own interpretations.
It is an emotional roller coaster for both the boy in the story and the reader.
Recommended for 7+.
July 6, 2021
This is a delightful picture book with a simple and heartwarming message.
A boy lives on an island alone. He keeps his treasure under the bed.
One day a little girl arrives on the island. She falls asleep in his soft hammock.
He leaves early to gather food and he leaves her a note.
'I'll be back soon. Don't look under the bed.' Of course, the little girl can't resist.
The box thumps. He comes back to find she'd broken his treasure.
What happens next is so beautiful. You'll have to read the book with the young at heart in your lives.
A boy lives on an island alone. He keeps his treasure under the bed.
One day a little girl arrives on the island. She falls asleep in his soft hammock.
He leaves early to gather food and he leaves her a note.
'I'll be back soon. Don't look under the bed.' Of course, the little girl can't resist.
The box thumps. He comes back to find she'd broken his treasure.
What happens next is so beautiful. You'll have to read the book with the young at heart in your lives.
March 30, 2023
I read this during my work lunch break and was totally surprised and moved by the story, short but very meaningful. The description at the back of the book is a very good summary of the story: it’s about friendship, temptation and reconciliation. And the words from the author himself is also very profound, it states the reason why this story was created. Love those authors who write lovely stories for children.
December 31, 2016
A great idea and well constructed. Whilst the writing could have been slightly stronger and the illustrations would benefit from better facial expressions, the story is engaging and impressive, especially for a debut author illustrator. It is crafted full of suspense, philosophy and emotion. Some children may struggle with the figurative representation, it is central to this book.
November 8, 2018
Gorgeous thought provoking picture book that all adults can relate to. Very few words on each page, in fact several pages are wordless, yet the illustrations evoke the emotions and theme of the story. Looking forward to more from Dub Leffler.
January 31, 2019
Absolutely horrid imagery, i felt my eyes being raped each and every page. My children cried and i couldn't get them to sleep afterwards because of the incessant blarney.
June 13, 2021
Read for my Developmental Psychology class for an assignment.
Beautiful writing and even more beautiful illustrations.
Beautiful writing and even more beautiful illustrations.
May 31, 2024
Such a beautiful tender story, with echoes of Psyche and Eros, and Pandora.
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April 24, 2025Read for a children’s lit class
January 20, 2016
Put simply, once there was a (dark-skinned) boy living a peaceful life alone on an island. Then a (fair-skinned) girl arrives. She eats the tropical fruit sapote, and all hell breaks loose. While the plot structure may sound familiar to some, this book is challenging for children. Further, that the boy would go out sapote collecting and leave his beating heart in a box under the bed, is also bewildering, although by this time, kids have figured out this is not your run of the mill island adventure and are pretty tuned in the strangeness of events. In fact, I am not even sure this is a book for children. Many kids respond to the stunning artwork and azure ocean scenes, but this is a book that requires time and thoughtful discussion for any nuanced meaning to become clear. The author states on the back of the book, that he wants to show boys having feelings (as well as girls) and that letting friends help when you're sad is okay. There's no doubt, this is addressed, but I think this book could also be useful to provoke discussion about dispossession, fragile relationships and ultimately, reconciliation in an Australian context.
September 23, 2015
This book surprised us. I was reading it to my two sons and boy did we get a surprise. Fantastic story, my boys remembered it completely the next day and it evoked a fair bit of discussion.
This story is of a boy who lives alone on an island. One day a girl appears. She eats all his fruit and falls asleep in his bed. The boy leaves early the next day to find some more fruit and leaves her a note saying 'Don't look under the bed.'. The story goes from there ...
Beautiful pictures, unusual and beautiful story.
This story is of a boy who lives alone on an island. One day a girl appears. She eats all his fruit and falls asleep in his bed. The boy leaves early the next day to find some more fruit and leaves her a note saying 'Don't look under the bed.'. The story goes from there ...
Beautiful pictures, unusual and beautiful story.
December 21, 2014
A truly spectacular read for both adults and children. :-) beautifully written and illustrated. There is so many layers to this book. Loved it
January 8, 2017
Absolutely gorgeous illustrations and I love the story/message of this book. The illustrations tell such a good story, you almost don't need the words.
September 4, 2020
Absolutely beautiful!
August 1, 2024
Beautiful and kind, a lovely children's book.
July 27, 2025
I really like the premise heart in this books. In contains deep meaning.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews