About the Author

Martin Jenkins is a conservation biologist and consultant for the WCMC, a UN organization concerned with conservation and the environment. He has won several awards for his work including the 1998 TES Information Book of the Year Junior Award for The Emperor's Egg, and he is the reteller of Jonathan Swift's Gulliver (9781406301748), illustrated by Chris Riddell, which won the 2005 Kate Greenaway Medal. He lives in Cambridge.

Richard Holland is a talented new artist. The Time Book is his second book for Walker. He lives in Essex.

Reviews

Gr 4-7-Conversational text, whimsical mixed-media artwork, and elegant book design combine to present an informative and entertaining romp through time. Succinct chapters treat a broad spectrum of subjects, beginning with the age-old human interest in measuring time, timekeeping in nature (from periodical cicadas to circadian rhythms), speculation about why early humans quantified regular changes in the world around them (Jenkins does a good job of explaining "why calendars and religion are almost always closely linked"), and the challenges of basing a calendar on astronomical observations. The story continues with descriptions of ancient calendars, the development of the Gregorian calendar, and the evolution of timekeeping devices. The final chapter briefly explains Albert Einstein's theory of relativity and introduces the possibility (and resulting chronological oddities) of traveling "at nearly the speed of light." Quite a lot of territory is covered here, but the clear, lively writing will keep readers focused, and the broad approach presents an interesting overview and invites youngsters to explore topics in further detail. Holland's precise-looking collages blend images of clocks, cultural sites, important locales, historical figures, and more to support the narrative while imaginatively interpreting the concepts and adding touches of humor. The fun continues in the layout, as the text is often shaped (like a pyramid or a planet) to echo the illustrations. Kids will find time flying as they pore over this book.-Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.