PUBLISHED
Once I Was a Dinosaur
Written by Sharon Benari Bounik and Leo Forest Bounik
Illustrated by Noam Venturero
A quiet bedtime adventure begins with a strange new claw and a trip out the bedroom window.
Explore the bookTHE BEDTIME SERIES WRITTEN TOGETHER
Once I Was a…
The world grows quiet. Then something wonderful happens. Dreamy picture books Sharon writes with her children.
THE MOVING PICTURE BOOK
Out the window and back again
A little night journey told with Noam Venturero’s illustrations from Once I Was a Dinosaur.
The bedroom window
The curtains part and a green tail peeks out into the night.
A STORY TO PUT IN ORDER
Follow the dream trail
The pages of the dream got mixed up. Start where the child first notices something strange, then choose what happens next. Each right choice adds a page to the story.
Page 1 of 5. What does the child notice under the blanket?
- Notice the claws
Under the blanket something pointy wiggles. The child lifts a hand and finds claws where fingers ought to be. Then the blanket starts to move again.
- Slip out the window
A long tail swishes against the curtains. The child eases the window open and squeezes through into the cool night.
- Cross the dock
The boards creak under enormous feet. The child slows down near the edge where the pond is still enough to hold a reflection.
- Look into the water
The pond gives back a shape with claws and a tail. At last the clues fit together. What would you do if that were your reflection?
- Wake up in bed
The pond slips away and the familiar blanket is back. The room is quiet again. The child has one more surprise to think about before morning.
THE ONCE I WAS A… SERIES
Dream a little further
One story written with Leo and one written with Laila.
IN THE WORKS
Once I Was a Unicorn
Written by Sharon Benari Bounik and Laila Wonder Bounik
Illustrations in progress by Sharon Benari Bounik
Another bedtime transformation is taking shape at the drawing table.
A GLIMPSE INSIDE
What if you woke up with claws?
A tail slips through the bedroom window. New feet make their way to the pond. An ordinary night becomes an adventure in a child’s imagination.
PLAY WITH THE STORY
The dream workshop
Color five scenes, sort the story cards, make a fold-out dream, or draw a trail of your own.
COLORING PAGE
A tail at the window
Color the curtains and the tail from the book. What do you imagine is just outside?
Open the coloring pageMAKE A STORY
Once I was a…
Pick a creature and draw what happens first, next, and at the end.
Open the story sheetDRAWING GAME
Follow the footprints
Invent three places to visit, then draw a trail that leads your creature back to bed.
Open the drawing game