Once Upon a Time

by Vojtěch Kubašta (Illustrator), Roger Lancelyn Green

The range and variety of this magnificent new collection of folk tales and fairy stories distinguishes it immediately from all previous ventures in this field. Here are thirty-five entrancing stories selected from thirty two different lands. Each story is illustrated in full color. in addition to long-established favorites, there are a host of new characters - like Sedna the Eskimo girl, Yannikas and Marika the Greek children, and the wonderful twins from Mexico. All the essential ingredients of folk and fairy lore will be found in these pages - marvelous adventures; witches, giants fairies , and magic birds from Peru, Crete, Nigeria, India, Tukey and Polynesia - from every part of the world, in fact, where children are still enraptured by the magic words " Once upon a time".

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

124 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1962

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding book of children's tales - a combination of folk and fairy tales from around the world which was well before it's time in collecting all of those together (seems to be fashionable now to do so, if you have a look at the bookshops) but not only that, the illustrations are matched to each tale in the style of the folk art or classical art of that country (or one classical style in some cases). As a child, I can tell you this absolutely adds to the atmosphere and reality of the stories, and transports one into other worlds with ease. Such a shame that it's out of print - if someone would reprint a replica of the original (original cover, format illustrations and all) I would buy it for every child I ever knew.

[Kaori Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uno de mis libros preferidos de la infancia temprana. Compuesto por una selección maravillosa de sesenta cautivadoras historias de diversos países. Contiene ilustraciones que atraen a los lectores de todas las edades.
Mis cuentos favoritos: "Largo, fuerte y ojos de lince", "Las doce doncellas", "Medio Pollo", "Capa de juncos","El herrero y el diablo", "El castillo de Sonia Moria", "El Nung-Guama", La tortuga ingeniosa".
El libro lo leí una y otra vez y terminó por romperse la pasta, y así mismo el re-empastado, pero aún lo conservo con mucho amor pues siento que es el que marcó mi infancia, iniciándome en la aventura de la lectura.
Lo recomiendo ampliamente, aunque en México sólo se publicó una vez en los años sesentas. Al que le interese, unos hermanos chilenos tienen un proyecto y están rescatando este fabuloso libro. "Los hijos de había una vez".

[Michael Haase · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations, but rather weak selection of fables. Italy for example is a country renowned for its vast assortment of fairy tales and the best Green could choose for this was "The Frog Princess"? Seriously?

Moreover, there are too many tales about someone stealing a magical item and using it to get rich and marry a prince or princess. It's a motif that is too repetitive in this collection.

[Maisa Melgarejo]

Alguien tiene el PDF de la edición en español? Es un libro maravilloso me quedan unas 100 páginas las demás se rompieron. Mí e-mail es maisadreams@hotmail.com gracias

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vojtech Kubašta the G.O.A.T.

[Crmaroske · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, a quality read. I loved the different aspects of fantasy, the different styles of illustration, and the stories from different nations. I thoroughly recommend it :)

[Fern · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a copy of this when I was a child, and we read it so often it eventually disintegrated despite my Dad's best efforts. The stories are exciting and evocative, and the artwork beautiful.