Once Upon a Legend

LoveReading4Kids Says

September 2023 Book of the Month

Ben Miller’s stories are always big on adventure and Once Upon a Legend is certainly no exception. It stars a boy called Marcus who, after driving his teachers to distraction with his bad behaviour, is sent to a very unusual school, called Merlin’s.

Most of us would love to study at Merlin’s, where the culture is warm, welcoming and very creative. Marcus – for reasons of his own – is dead set on being a troublemaker there too. Up to mischief on his first night, he accidentally wakes up the giant who’s been sleeping in the school grounds for millennia, and before you know it, a whole troop of angry giants is marching to London to confront the PM about the damage humans have done to the natural world.

To stop them, Marcus needs to the help of his soon-to-be-stepdad, Colin, and Colin’s flying school mates, aka the Teatime Assortment. It all reaches a delicious climax on Westminster Bridge.

As ever in Ben Miller’s books, the story is funny, exciting and draws deftly on real myth – in this case, the legends of Stonehenge. The reasons for Marcus’s bad behaviour are lightly described but will strike a chord with lots of readers, while the advice on managing anger will be useful to everyone. A giant and very enjoyable helping of magic and adventure.

Join Ben Miller in conversation with LoveReading4kids Editorial Expert Andrea Reece and Kids Reading Ambassador Mia here

Reviewed by Andrea Reece
Andrea Reece has spent almost her entire working life in children’s books, first as publisher, latterly as consultant, project manager and critic.
More reviews by Andrea Reece

About Once Upon a Legend

Discover your destiny in a legendary tale of friendly giants and magical mishaps, from actor and comedian Ben Miller, author of The Day I Fell into a Fairytale. 'Wonderful, funny, magical' Chris Evans 'A sheer delight for all kids both big AND small' Ruth Jones Marcus has just started Merlin's, a very unusual school... He doesn't like it and is doing everything he can to get into big trouble and be sent home. When a midnight prank accidentally wakes a sleeping giant called Crom, things take a turn for the magical. But there are other giants on the move, bigger and angrier than Crom. Realising that Merlin's and the whole country are in danger, it's a race against time for the two new friends to find the magic of their own bravery.Turn the page, share the adventure in this bestselling magical story for all the family, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli.*Have you ever wondered what your favourite fairytale characters are thinking? Once upon was only the start in the hilarious Diary of a Puss in Boots. OUT NOW!*

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