Once Upon a Time… online by David Bedford
Short Summary
Once Upon a Time… Online by David Bedford and Rosie Reeve is a fun, fairy-tale-themed picture book that introduces young children to online safety. Using familiar storybook characters, it shows both the exciting and not-so-great sides of being online, making it an easy way for families to begin talking about safe, responsible digital habits.
Age Group
Suitable for children aged 4 to 8 years.
Topics Discussed
Internet Safety
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Buy a Copy
Buy a copy of Once Upon a Time… online by David Bedford from Amazon.
What this book is about
- Once Upon a Time… Online brings classic fairy-tale characters into the modern world by introducing them to the Internet – and the chaos that follows.
- It begins with Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk finding a mysterious parcel at the top of the beanstalk: a laptop. From there, the fun begins.
- Cinderella starts online shopping for her ball outfit, the three little pigs and Little Red Riding Hood get stuck into purchases and screen time, and the Big Bad Wolf dives into gaming.
- The book highlights some of the great things kids can do online, such as shopping, chatting, playing games, and exploring.
- Then it shows the downsides: Cinderella receives a massive bill, the pigs get bored, Little Red Riding Hood gets hurt because she’s too distracted, and Rapunzel’s tablet breaks.
- The fairy godmother steps in as the voice of wisdom, reminding everyone to ask a grown-up before going online, use devices responsibly, and understand the consequences of their choices.
- While the story flow can feel a bit jumpy in parts, the book works beautifully as a conversation starter.
- This book is especially helpful for younger children who are just starting to use digital devices.
- Parents can also use it with older kids by asking them to read it to younger siblings – a great way to spark discussions without making it a “lecture”.
- Overall, Once Upon a Time… Online is a light-hearted, useful tool for introducing online safety early, reminding kids that the Internet is fun but requires responsibility and care.
I hope you find this book review helpful!
Happy talking!
❤️ Cath