For my four dreamers: Ariadne, Demetria, Morgan, and Devon. —C.D.
To my little Bjorn. Creating this book made the wait for you even sweeter. —G.C.
Text copyright © 2023 Corinne Demas Illustration copyright © 2023 Gemma Capdevila Book design by Melissa Nelson Greenberg Published in 2023 by Cameron + Company, a division of ABRAMS. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available. ISBN: 978-1-951836-65-8 Printed in China 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Cameron Kids is an imprint of Cameron + Company Cameron + Company Petaluma, California www.cameronbooks.com
ONCE THERE WAS
BY
CORINNE DEMAS
ART BY
GEMMA CAPDEVILA
Once there was a little girl who lived in a vine-covered cottage by the sea.
She dreamed she was a princess in a golden gown who lived in a castle in a misty forest.
Once there was a princess in a golden gown who lived in a castle in a misty forest.
She dreamed she was a horse with a flowing mane who lived in a meadow filled with flowers.
Once there was a horse with a flowing mane who lived in a meadow filled with flowers.
She dreamed she was a tree with a tall, straight trunk and a crown of leafy leaves.
Once there was a tree with a tall, straight trunk and a crown of leafy leaves.
She dreamed she was a great green mountain that rose so high she touched the clouds.
Once there was a great green mountain that rose so high she touched the clouds.
She dreamed she was a moon who smiled a silver smile on the stars in the sky and the sea below.
Once there was a moon who smiled a silver smile on the stars in the sky and the sea below.
She dreamed she was a sea who sparkled in the sunshine and lapped against the shore.
Once there was a sea who sparkled in the sunshine and lapped against the shore.
She dreamed she was a little girl who lived in a vine-covered cottage by the sea.