Award-winning historian Alice Albinia takes readers on a journey across oceans and centuries, uncovering the secrets of 20 fascinating islands—each vividly brought to life through firsthand stories and illustrated maps 

Travel across oceans and through time with award-winning historian and storyteller Alice Albinia in her first children’s book, Once Upon an Island.

Discover 20 wondrous islands—from the icy, windswept cliffs of Baffin Island, where Inuit knowledge has sustained communities for generations, to the volcanic peaks of Hawai’i. This captivating journey reveals islands as places of wonder and warning, rich with histories that have shaped the world far beyond their shores.

Perfect for curious explorers, map lovers, and anyone enchanted by the magic of faraway places, Once Upon an Island is an unforgettable voyage through geography, history, and story.

Featuring first person narratives and read-aloud maps, all brought to life with beautiful illustrations by Helen Cann.

Islands include:
1. Chiloé
2. Waiheke
3. Madagascar
4. Lake Titicaca
5. Samoa
6. Tiwi
7. Seychelles
8. Amazon River Islands 9. Mumbai
10. Hawai’i
11. Isla Mujeres
12. Yonaguni
13. Putuo
14. Sicily
15. Lesbos
16. Vis
17. Scilly
18. Texel
19. Orkney
20. Baffin