T is for Time

by Roland Smith, Marie Smith, Renée Graef (Illustrator)

T is for a Time Alphabet uses poetry and expository text to explore the concept of time, from explaining basic units of measurement to showcasing important scientific achievements. Topics include famous inventors (Albert Einstein and John Harrison) and important structures and landmarks (Kulkulkan Pyramid and Big Ben). Budding scientists will discover what world-famous stone structure is believed to be an early calendar, follow the voyages of explorer Ferdinand Magellan to better understand the International Date Line, and learn to tell time using the Zulu time system.

Genres: Childrens, Science

40 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2015

About the author

Roland Smith is an American author of young adult fiction as well as nonfiction books for children.
Smith was born in Portland, Oregon, and graduated from Portland State University and, following a part-time job at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, began a 20-year career as a zookeeper, both at the Oregon Zoo and the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, Washington. After working to save wildlife following the Exxon Valdez oil spill, in 1990, he published his first book, Sea Otter Rescue, a non-fiction account of the process of animal rescue. Smith continued to draw upon his zoo experiences for other non-fiction titles, including Journey of the Red Wolf, which won an Oregon Book Award in 1996.
In 1997, Smith published his first novel, Thundercave. The book continues Smith's theme, as teenage protagonist Jacob Lansa follows his biologist father to Africa where the father is researching elephants. The Lansa character also appears in 1999
s Jaguar and 2001's The Last Lobo. Other novels by Smith include The Captain's Dog: My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe, Zach's Lie, Jack's Run, Cryptid Hunters, Sasquatch (novel), about a boy who searches for Bigfoot. Peak, the story of a teenage boy obsessed with climbing mountains, Elephant Run and Tentacles(novel). In 2008, Smith published the first book in the series I, Q, titled Independence Hall. Smith's books have won "Book of the Year" awards in Colorado, Nevada, South Carolina, and Florida, as well as in his native Oregon. Smith lives in Tualatin, Oregon with his wife and stepchildren.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really fun style for an expository text. For each letter of the alphabet, the Smiths have assigned an important idea from the history of time and time-keeping. The main entry is written in verse and then there are additional details written in traditional, expository style. This text includes items from across the history of time- from obelisks and pyramids to modern cellphones. In searching the author on Goodreads, I found that they have similar books written on a variety of topics.

This book could be used for a variety of grade levels. By just reading the verse part, the book would be engaging and interesting for younger grades. The older grades would be interested in diving deeper into the expository information. This is a great reference book- I am often asked questions that I have no idea the answer for, so this would make a great resource to be able to direct students to. I also think that this book would provide an excellent starting point for further research. For example, it talks about the creation of time zones. A student could choose to do a research project to investigate that process further. It could also be a class project to create our own book- for example "S is for School." We could then do a shared writing and reading exercise in creating an alphabet book about school.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent vocabulary builder

[Hannah Baumgartner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was impressed when I first picked up this picture book because the colorful illustrations had a full bleed on every page! Marie and Roland Smith rhyme through all 26 letters in the alphabet to tell a story about time. There are more facts in the text box on each page. First there is the letter and rhyme, such as; B is Bells ringing through the town, announcing the hours, listen for the sounds.Then in the text box it explains that bells were used before people has clocks or wrist watches, and more fun facts!

I liked this book and I was the first one to check it out at the library! The text was simple enough for a 3rd grader but in the text box the facts are good enough for a 5th grader. Our world has changed so much with technological advances and this book gives facts about where time, calendars, and the people who have made it happen. I defiantly recommend this book!

[John Simet]

Curricular Tie: Science, Math, History

Explanation: This is an ABC book that explores the concept of time. Not only does it explain units of time, it discusses inventors or landmarks that have made their contribution to time. It discusses how we tell time and why. In addition, calendars, time zones, and time standards are discussed. It helps answer the questions about why we have time, and why we have different time zones, etc. It would be a great supplement to any classroom that is teaching time.

Rationale: Again, this book brings time to life. It discusses how time was important to the ancients and how a standard of time was emphasized once the railroad became predominate. Many students have questions about time and this book answers those questions. I would use this book to teach my class anytime the concept of time is being taught.

[Karen Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this alphabet book. The pictures are beautiful and give the feeling of age (time).
It's a cool concept of a quick-easy caption for younger kids (rhyming) along with longer more detailed text description for older kids.

There is an excellent variety of timely topics, including history, science, biography, and more. One example of a creative and thoughtful topic choice was X was for the Roman Numeral because it's on clocks.

There are many, many ABC books and it's great to see a new come that is different, interesting, and educational.

Incidentally, it's classified as grades 2-5, but I think that's too limited. I'd put it as K-8

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Covering the letters of the alphabet from A for Almanac to Z for Time Zones, this ABC book provides quite a lot of information about all things related to time. The book contains colorful illustrations and snippets of informational text, accompanied by rhyming verses that allow readers to obtain the basics about each part of the topic. I really liked having this particular focus--time--since it highlights so many aspects of time, including daylights savings time, Albert Einstein, and observatories.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuing in Sleeping Bear Press' line of alphabet books, I found the side bar content interesting. I'm not sure the short rhymes do justice to the information, however. Most of the illustrations are fine, but on the W page, I got confused and could not match the days to what the children were showing for each day of the week (other than the hammer for Thor, but even that was weak).
Overall, a good read.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting with many elements and facts I did not know about time keeping. I wonder a bit about a disparity in the picture book part of the book with the simple rhyming text and the chunks of informational test. It is an uneasy mix.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the artwork, and the alphabet level vocab, but also more details for the adults/teachers/older kids.