
Reach for this book when your child is feeling the weight of a 'now' culture and struggling with the frustration of things that take time to build, learn, or fix. It is an ideal choice for the child who wants to give up when a project doesn't go perfectly on the first try. Through the gentle guidance of a grandfather, the story explores the steady, rhythmic process of craftsmanship and the deep satisfaction found in patience. The narrative follows a young boy and his grandfather as they work together on a broken clock. It beautifully captures the bond between generations, modeling how a mentor can provide a calm anchor for a child's restless energy. Parents will appreciate how it reframes 'waiting' not as a chore, but as a magical part of the creative process. It is a quiet, reflective read that offers a peaceful counterpoint to high-energy media, making it perfect for wind-down time or intentional emotional coaching.
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Sign in to write a reviewThe book is entirely secular and grounded in realistic fiction. While it touches on the aging process of a grandparent, it does so through the lens of capability and wisdom rather than frailty. The resolution is hopeful and celebratory.
An elementary student (ages 6 to 8) who is a 'perfectionist' and prone to outbursts when their toys break or their drawings don't look 'right.' It is also excellent for children who have a close, perhaps long-distance, relationship with a grandparent.
This is a 'cold read' book. No specific content warnings are necessary, though parents might want to be ready to talk about their own family heirlooms or childhood memories of grandparents. A parent might reach for this after hearing their child scream, 'It's taking too long!' or seeing them throw a toy in frustration because they couldn't figure out how it works.
A 5-year-old will focus on the mechanical curiosity of the clock and the warmth of the hugs. An 8-year-old will better grasp the metaphor of 'taking one's time' and the value of craftsmanship.
Unlike many books about grandparents that focus on memory loss or death, Gilmore focuses on the grandfather as a skilled mentor and the workshop as a place of active, joyful creation.
The story centers on a young boy who visits his grandfather's workshop. While the boy is often hurried and easily frustrated by the slow pace of manual labor, his grandfather invites him to help restore an old heirloom clock. Through the process of sanding, fitting, and waiting for the right moment, the boy learns that time itself is a tool. The clock's eventual 'tick' serves as a rhythmic heartbeat for their relationship and a symbol of their shared effort.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.