Once upon a time, there was a story with a main character, some other guys, and they did some stuff and then went home to go to bed, they were so tired. Once Upon A Time, The End, (Asleep in 60 Seconds) by Geoffrey Kloske, has the fastest fairy tales on white paper. So fast, you meet the main characters, such as Jack be Nimble, or the Three Pigs, and then before you know it, it's time for bed! Amazing!
Mr. Kloske makes no apologies, either. In fact, he tells you straight out that it's his perogative to give you the basics of the story and send you to bed. It appears Mr. Kloske has enjoyed many a storytime with children who asked for "just one more story" so many times, he decided to have a little fun with them. Every story and poem ends with someone dozing off, or getting ready to go to sleep. Adults can't help but laugh when reading this book with their little bundles of energy--most of them have felt the way Mr. Kloske writes--'if they would only just go to bed."
Why we like this book: The tongue-in-cheek approach to fairy tales appeals to the parents, mostly. Adults will find themselves laughing and enjoying the book so much, they won't mind reading 'just one more story.' My children, in particular, found it funny that their mother was chuckling, but didn't get why the story didn't end the way they were used to. Before they knew it, they were shuffled off to bed, sort of bewildered about what just happened, and did they really hear a bunch of stories, or was that just one book? Why was everyone going to bed in the stories? Barry Blitt's illustrations are reminiscent of a traditional fairy tale book, with a few twists here and there, fitting to the changes of plot Geoffrey Kloske instituted. For you grown-ups, Once Upon a Time, The End (Asleep in 60 Seconds) will certainly be an enjoyable variation on fairy tales, and a welcome way to read to the kids before bed at night.
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