About the Book

“Once upon a time, a line was drawn.” So begins the story of Line, a small drawing with big questions: Who is he? What should he do? Where does he fit in?

As Line travels from mountains to sea and straight paths to unexpected curves, he tries on new shapes, sizes, angles, and identities, often with hilarious results. Along the way, he begins to discover that his true purpose may be something he has to create for himself.

With witty wordplay, visual humor, and clean, elegant illustrations by award-winning designer and illustrator Elliot Kreloff, Once Upon A Line invites children to explore creativity, confidence, and what it means to make their own mark.

Here’s what makes Once Upon A Line an inspiring picture book:

A creative self-discovery story: Line’s journey helps children explore identity, confidence, purpose, and finding their own path.
Art and shapes woven into the story: Lines, curves, angles, direction, and shape concepts become part of the adventure.
Clever wordplay and visual humor: Puns, playful dialogue, and elegant illustrations reward close looking and repeat readings.
Perfect for young artists and classrooms: A natural fit for art teachers, elementary classrooms, libraries, and families looking for books about creativity and self-expression.

Once Upon A Line is a children’s picture book for ages 4–8 about creativity, self-discovery, shapes, and finding your purpose, perfect for young artists, classroom read-alouds, and kids learning to make their own mark.

Publishers Weekly

As a plain black line seeks its purpose in life, puns provide possible answers in this picture book. Friends and relations offer suggestions in reply to Line’s repeated question, What’s a line supposed to do? Still unsettled, Line decides to broaden his horizon, traveling in every cardinal direction until finally discovering that he should make his own mark. Mixed-media collages form Line’s buddies, and patterned cut-outs come together in cheery scenes of Line’s travels.

Meet the Author and Illustrator

Elliot Kreloff is an award-winning designer and children’s book illustrator. His career as creative director for Scholastic Books, Disney Publishing Worldwide, MacMillan Publishing, Blue Apple Books, and his own studio, Design Five, has spanned over forty years. As an arts educator, he has taught at Parsons School of Design, New York Institute of Technology, Rutgers University and Fordham University. His books have been awarded Best Book of the Year by Child Magazine, and he has received numerous awards from various professional design organizations. He lives in Harlem, NYC.

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