Once Upon a Time in Great Britain:
A Travel Guide to the Sights and Settings of Your
Melanie Wentz
St. Martin’s Griffin
August 2002
Trade Paperback/224 pages
ISBN: 0312283385
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“. . . sit in the pub where C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien discussed their fantasy worlds. . .”

“. . . sit back, read and plan your next vacation to the British Isles so you can take in all your favorite authors? haunts.”

“. . . be warned: once you start reading and planning your journey, you may become like Peter Pan and ?never want to grow up.?

Have you ever wanted to throw “Pooh Sticks” in the river where Christopher Robin played? Have you ever longed to visit the places that inspired Beatrix Potter’s delightful illustrations? Have you ever wished to sit in the pub where C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien discussed their fantasy worlds together and dreamed up their beloved book series? Have you ever wondered if there really was a “Secret Garden” that inspired the book of the same name? Have you ever pondered exactly where did Alice fall down the Rabbit’s Hole? 

If you or your children have ever asked questions like these, and are devout consumers of British children’s literature, then look no further than Once Upon a Time in Great Britain. Author Melanie Wentz has done the leg work-now all you have to do is sit back, read and plan your next vacation to the British Isles so you can take in all your favorite authors’ haunts.

Each classic children’s story features a short biography of the author followed by a travel guide to places associated with either the story itself or the author’s life. Everything is included to help plan your holiday: comprehensive directions, admission costs, transportation ideas, telephone contact numbers and nearby eating establishments. Wentz also informs us which attractions will appeal to the younger crowd and which will appeal primarily to adults.

From Robin Hood to Harry Potter, Once Upon a Time in Great Britain is an excellent resource for armchair travelers and children’s literature specialists alike. But be warned: once you start reading and planning your journey, you may become like Peter Pan and “never want to grow up.”

Reviewer: Cindy Appel