About Time: A First Look at Time and Clocks

Time to read a book.
Time to wash dishes.
Time to do this or that.

You say things like this every day, all the time. But there was a time when time itself was undefined—no one knew the difference between a minute, an hour, or a day.
Then people started creating tools to measure time. First they used the big stuff around them—the sun, the moon, water. Soon after, using the knowledge they got from their natural time-telling tools, people began to build clocks—huge clocks unlike the ones we use today. They also used their knowledge of the sun and moon to create calendars made up of months and years.
Now, centuries later, we have clocks all around us. We can easily figure out how long a month is. But it took many years of tinkering and inventing to perfect the art of telling time. You could take a few moments now to read all about time. If you have a minute, that is.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-Describing the concept of time and how it has been measured, Koscielniak gives an instructive yet entertaining march through the ages. A two-page explanation of daytime versus nighttime, as well as the seasons, sets the stage for the beginning of timekeeping and the origins of the Gregorian calendar. The author provides just enough detail for readers to understand how sundials and water clocks work and to comprehend the problems with their accuracy. Attractive watercolor illustrations in green and tan tones enhance the text. Detailed diagrams further explain such concepts as Huygens's balance spring, which later developed into the portable watch. Endpapers show various timepieces through the ages from an Egyptian shadow clock in 1500 B.C. to electric clocks in A.D. 2000. Children will be entertained as well as informed by this presentation.-Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Bruce Koscielniak is the author and illustrator of several books for children; he is also a musician who has played the violin and jazz guitar for many years. He lives in the Berkshires region of Massachusetts.