Tucker's Time Machine Telescope

by Robin Bennett, Matt Cherry (Illustrator)

130 pages, Paperback

Published March 17, 2025

Reviews

[Bookworm86]

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Tucker's Time Machine Telescope' written by Robin Bennett. Illustrated by Matt Cherry

This is the second book i have read by Robin Bennett although the other book I have read is an adult non fiction book. It is called 'The Good Snooze Guide Of Great Britain' which I would also highly recommend and you can find my review for it on my social media pages.

This absolutely fantastic book may be aimed at children and the age rating Amazon has given is 7-12 but, sadly, at the age of 38 I am no longer classed as a child but I absolutely loved it!! I would read it to my 12 year old son Malaki and we would both take turn reading a chapter each. We would both also read it on our own. In this fun and adventure filled book Robin transports the readers to London where we meet Thomas Tucker. Thomas is known more by just Tucker to anyone who knows him and is basically a walking disaster bless him!! He is very accident prone and has made an enemy in his neighbours chicken who he calls Kylo Hen after the baddy in Star Wars. While he is being chased by Kylo one day he discovers a time machine telescope. He decides he wants to use this telescope to get rich, have fun and get his parents to spend more time at home and less time on their mobiles while they are home. Tucker ends up travelling from the land of the dinosaurs to riding a horse with Henry Vlll, into the Ice Age to the Space age and much more!! Will Tucker get what he wishes for and if so will the saying be careful what you wish for come into play?? Well, grab your copy of this brilliant book to find out how Tucker gets on and have fun watching him go on many disastrous adventures!! With a storyline ram packed with absolutely brilliant illustrations, fun, accidents, drama, humour, chickens, dinosaurs, bombs, poo and everything a child could ask for in a book and more what are you waiting for? At only 130 pages it is a lovely short read with quick and short chapters which is ideal if you are looking for a book to pick up and read a couple of chapters in your break or read a book on a long journey. The illustrations were absolutely fantastic and really humorous so a MASSIVE congratulations to the extremely talented illustrator Matt Cherry!! The book is written in a way where it feels like you are going on fun adventures with Tucker which my boys really enjoyed!! I absolutely loved the book and although we tried to limit it to a couple of chapters a night we ended up going way over as we both just really wanted to know what was going to happen next!! I was a bit naughty at times and even read on after I had told Malaki he had to go to bed and although it meant I had to reread it or listen to it again when we read it together again it was completely worth it!! Malaki really enjoyed reading this book and we enjoyed discussing the different themes it covered such as family, history and being careful what you wish for. We both found the storyline to be fascinating, unique, fun, action packed and intriguing and we were both as hooked as each other! The plan was to read 3 or 4 chapters a day together but we ended up reading the whole book in two days as Malaki kept picking it up through the days as did I as we both really wanted to know what was going to happen next!! The characters are all well developed, intriguing and thanks to Matt's brilliant and evocative descriptions they they all came to life along with the scenery and settings. Malaki and myself really enjoyed the storyline which we devoured in a couple of days. However, if it had been reading it on my own I would have read it in one sitting of several hours as I was thoroughly addicted and invested in not just Tucker but also the rest of the characters and the incredible and fantastic storyline and fun book! My heart did go out to Tucker and it is a sad fact that he feels the only way to get his parents to spend time him when they are home and not glued to their phones is by time travelling. Unfortunately this is something that is becoming more and more common in the world where children are actually starting to feel jealous of the adventure their parents phones are getting when they should be spending time with their children. I love the fact that Robin has included this in this book weaving it into a brilliant storyline while not taking away the fun from the story but still highlighting the affect of parents on their phones constantly to adults.

Congratulations Robin Bennett on another fantastic book filled with fun, adventure and humour and Matt on your brilliant illustrations!! Here is to your next success 🥂 that we are all looking forward to seeing and reading!

Overall a fantastically fun, adventurous, humour and action packed children's read that adults and children will love alike!

#TuckersTimeMachine #RobinBennett #MattCherry #MonsterBooks #RachelsRandomResources #rararesources #Bookstagrammer #Bookblogger

@RobinBennett @MattCherry @MonsterBooks @RachelsRandomResources @rararesources

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[Laura]

Tucker's Time Machine Telescope is a delightful romp through time that starts with an unexpected twist—an attack by a chicken - YES! A chicken!

We are introduced to Thomas Tucker, or “Tucker” for short, a character whose charm shines through as he navigates chaotic situations that arise from his unexpected adventure. Bennett's storytelling is whimsical, effectively blending the absurd with relatable themes that resonate with readers of all ages.

Tucker's journey begins with a comical fall into a hole that leads him to the titular Time Machine Telescope. The hilarious premise sets the tone for what’s to follow: a quirky adventure through time that allows Tucker to interact with historical figures, including Tudor kings and dinosaurs, all the while trying to check off his "Time Machine Wish List". His goals are getting rich, having fun, and getting his parents to spend less time on their phones - this in itself makes Tucker a relatable protagonist for young readers.

In summary, "Tucker's Time Machine Telescope" is a fantastic and fun-filled journey that delivers laughter, adventure, and a touch of nostalgia. Robin Bennett has crafted a captivating narrative that encourages readers to embrace chaos and seek out their own adventures, all while reminding us of the importance of connections beyond screens. Whether you’re looking for a lighthearted read or an engaging story filled with quirky moments, Tucker’s escapades are definitely worth diving into!

[Felicity Terry]

BOOK 20/52 READ FOR THE 52 BOOK CHALLENGE 2025.
PROMPT 38: AN ADVENTURE STORY

What we here in the North East of England might find humorous may not necessarily be appreciated by readers in other regions {let alone those in Europe, across the pond or elsewhere in the world} so I can really only speak for myself when I say that Tucker's Time Machine Telescope tickled my funny bone as my late nana was wont to say but then,

Accompanied by some fun illustrations by Matt Berry, a hugely enjoyable, absurd story beautifully written; young protagonist Tucker's interactions with everyone/thing from a chicken to dinosaurs by way of historical characters are nothing short of genius, what's not to find humorous?

Guaranteed to hold the attention of primary school aged children and have them and their adults laughing out loud from start to finish. One of the best books for children of this age that I've read in quite some time, I'm soooo looking forward to further adventures with Tucker and co.

Copyright ... Felicity Grace Terry @ Pen and Paper
Disclaimer ... One of several bloggers participating in the Blog Tour/Book Birthday Blitz of this book, agree or disagree with me, all opinions are my own; no financial compensation was asked for nor given; threats of violence towards my favourite teddy bear went unheeded as did promises of chocolate.

[Kelly]

I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

Thomas, who prefers to go by his surname, Tucker, is on his way to Mrs Dempsey's house when he accidentally falls down a hole. Tucker discovers a magical telescope that enables him to travel through time. That's just the start of the fun; who knows what Tucker will be able to do now?

Every page of this book made me smile and chuckle. It was wonderfully entertaining and funny. I enjoyed following all of Tucker's adventures, and I was never sure what might happen next. Tucker was such a fun character to read about, and it was fun to see who else he met on his time travelling adventures too. The illustrations were also fun to look at.

I enjoyed reading this as an adult, and I think I would have loved it as a child as well.

Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.

[Joanne]

Thomas Tucker is an ordinary boy that just happens to find himself involved in the most extraordinary encounters.

When reading this book with my children one of our favourite parts of the book was when Tucker travelled back in time and in a surprising turn of events ended up playing football with King Henry VIII. It’s a chapter packed full of humour and amusing conversations.

I would definitely recommend this book to help any young reluctant readers. It’s a fast paced read and the chapters are the perfect length for a bed time story.

The illustrations throughout are just as fun and quirky as the text and really help to enhance the humour and adventure described on the page.

We look forward to hopefully reading about more of Tucker’s adventures in the future or if we ever find a Time Machine Telescope ourselves, maybe in the past.

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books]

Chased by a combative chicken in the street
Getting away unharmed would be a treat.
However wings hide where he’s running to
Tucker soon has much more to think through!

Falling in a hole he didn’t expect to find
A Time Machine telescope- it could blow his mind!
When would you travel to if something similar you discovered
After from the fall, of course, you’d recovered!

Chaos follows Tucker wherever (and whenever) he goes
So get ready for adventures like nobody knows!
This is a fun middle grade reader book
With chapters and adventures- and illustrations worth a look.

With quick visits to history and surprises, too,
Will Tucker continue to cause chaos all the way through?
Read it for yourself and you might find
Fun, mischief and chaos to blow your mind.

For my copy of this book I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

[Staceywh_17]

Who needs a Tardis when you can have a telescope like Tucker's?

I found it a quick and enjoyable read. It's guaranteed to hold the attention of the younger generation. It has an eye catching cover and some fab illustrations throughout. The story itself is exciting and there's so much fun to be had.

It took me, and Tucker to some great places in history that I actually would love to be able to visit. It has characters that you'd definitely want to be shaking hands with...I'm still trying to imagine Henry in those football boots mind! Can you imagine, one of the most renowned King's of our time being a famous face in the footballing world too?

Enjoyable and thoroughly entertaining.

Ps I loved the Star Wars reference with 'Kylo Hen', it did tickle me.

🌟🌟🌟.5/5

[Deborah J Miles]

Tucker's Time Machine Telescope is a children's adventure story about a ten-year-old boy called Thomas Tucker, known as 'Tucker'. Tucker is walking down the street when he falls into a hole and finds an old telescope. It is only when he uses it that he discovers it is a time machine which can transport him into the past or the future.

I found it to be a quick, easy read, aimed at primary aged children, who I think will love it. Indeed, the ending left me wanting more and hoping that a second installment will shortly be forthcoming.

Tucker's Time Machine Telescope amused me greatly, and I can see myself reading it to my grandchildren and enjoying it all over again.

Definitely one to add your adventure-loving children's home library.

[Jen]

Tucker is walking down the road when he falls into a hole. He then finds a telescope which turns out to be a time machine and he goes on a great adventure travelling through time. There are many different times, past and present, that he visits and some key characters in history. This is fun, quick and with some engaging drawings a very enjoyable read.

[Miriam Smith (A Mother’s Musings)]

What a really fun and enjoyable book this was to read. I can genuinely see this being popular amongst young readers or even adults alike and if you’re of a certain age, it might bring back (slight) reminiscences of ‘Jamie and his Magic Torch’. If you’re like me and lack creative imagination then you don’t have to worry, the way Robin Bennett ensures every inventive detail is explained clearly, it’s impossible not to picture the story in your head precisely and accurately, so children will definitely have no issue at all.

I always love a bit of time travel and this book wasn’t just entertaining, it was educational too! I certainly didn’t know Henry VIII invented football boots, did you? Forget Dr Who’s Tardis, time portals and souped-up DeLorean’s - Tucker’s telescope is so much more cooler and Tucker is a crafty little character who has a true heart, who you instantly fall in love with.

Illustrated throughout by Matt Cherry, the pencil drawings reflect the storytelling and are the perfect accompaniment to the mini adventure story.

I’m happy to rate this book 5 stars and I have no issues recommending it to readers of all ages.

#TuckersTimeMachineTelescope - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️