All at Once Upon a Time

A parent might reach for this book when their child is captivated by the magic of storytelling and loves mashing up different characters and plots in their own imaginative play. All at Once Upon a Time is a clever and hilarious look at the creative process. A storyteller tries to begin a simple tale, but is quickly overwhelmed when a king, a dragon, a girl in a red cloak, and a boy with a bean all show up at once, demanding a part. The book playfully explores how stories are built, bent, and blended, celebrating chaos and collaboration over rigid rules. Its themes of curiosity and joyful creativity make it a perfect read for children ages 5 to 8, assuring them that in storytelling, there are no mistakes, only new possibilities.