Stop the Clock!

by Pippa Goodhart

Traditional Chinese edition of Stop the Clock!

Genres: Picture Books, School, Childrens, Art

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2022

About the author

Pippa Goodhart is the author of over a hundred children’s books, including the prize-winning picture book You Choose, and the Winnie the Witch series which she writes under the pen name of Laura Owen. She trained as a teacher and worked for many years in bookselling before becoming a mother and a writer.

See Laura Owen

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Children's Book that I read to my twin boys. I love the message in just book, and I also think there is a great message put in this book for Adults as well. I think it shows adults sometimes we just need to stop rushing, and we need to stop and look around. We also rush the little people in our life sometimes, and maybe we need to just slow down because it is overwhelming on our little people. I know this book made me think about how many times I rush my little people. The pictures where very cute in this book. Super cute and fun book to read. My boys really loved this book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Children's Book that I read to my twin boys. I love the message in just book, and I also think there is a great message put in this book for Adults as well. I think it shows adults sometimes we just need to stop rushing, and we need to stop and look around. We also rush the little people in our life sometimes, and maybe we need to just slow down because it is overwhelming on our little people. I know this book made me think about how many times I rush my little people. The pictures where very cute in this book. Super cute and fun book to read. My boys really loved this book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

[Seda]

Hayvanların bas rolde olmadigi cocuk kitabi piyasasinda açık var. Bu açığı goruyor ve hicbir sey yapmadan yoluma devam ediyorum.

[MookNana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joe has an unfortunate morning of rush, rush, rush! Hurrying to get to school, then hurrying to get schoolwork done, he finally loses patience when asked to skip something he finds important in order to serve the relentless clock! With the gift of being able to slow down and truly take things in, he notices so much about his world, and gains a wonderful new perspective.

The message of this book is truly lovely. It's a great introduction to the idea of mindfulness for young children. The illustrations are gorgeous and it's so cool to see them sharpen up and burst with color as Joe is able to slow down and reflect. FYI to American readers--the book is set in the UK and the language and images reflect that clearly. Readers may have questions, but it's a great opportunity to start a discussion about life in other countries. This would be a wonderful read for pre-K and early elementary students!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

[Sharon Drummond · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book serves as a lovely reminder to slow down and take the time to appreciate the little things. Joe is being rushed out of his house, rushed off to school, rushed through his school day and his favourite activities. Finally he can’t take it any more and yells, “Stop the clock!” Kids will appreciate the fanciful idea of being able to literally stop time. Grownups will appreciate the reminder to take a break from our fast-paced world. The illustrations are wonderful and the people pictured in the town and school are diverse. I especially loved that the illustrations in “real time” are dull in colour and don’t have a lot of detail, but are incredibly detailed and colourful when the clock is stopped. I spent quite a bit of time carefully examining the windows in the street scenes because they are so richly detailed. I would recommend this book for any classroom or home library.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy comes to recognize that he needs to slow down, pay attention, and be mindful of the present. A much needed message in an ever-harried world.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book has a much-needed message for everyone about slowing down and paying attention to what's around them. As is the case for so many families, Joe's mother is in a rush to get him to school on time. Who knows why they're running the risk of being tardy: Maybe Joe's been dawdling around all morning, maybe they all woke up later than usual or maybe his mother is multi-tasking and has too many chores that need to be completed. At school, it's the same thing: Mr. Khan, his teacher, is also bound by the clock and the need to accomplish several assignments during the day, including having his students paint a picture of what they saw on the way to school. When Mr. Khan insists that everyone stop their work, Joe becomes annoyed because he isn't finished, and he somehow manages to stop the clock. While everyone else is immobile, Joe is able to retrace his path to school, but this time, he can take the time to notice all sorts of things, including the buildings and interesting people. He even notices something important that his sister Poppy dropped. When he has finished with his picture, he tells the clock to start again, and time no longer stands still. Many readers will wish that they could do what Joe does in stopping time, but since that isn't possible, why not learn from his experiences and find moments to savor and notice the world around them. The illustrations, created with crayons, I think, are filled with movement, and several pages contain clocks, those timepieces that sometimes seem to rule our lives. There is a clock on the shelf at home, one on a tall building on a city street, and one in Joe's classroom. It's strange how we often wish we could speed up or slow down time, depending on our circumstances.

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joe has to rush all day long. His mother rushes him out the door. They rush down the street to school. Joe's teacher rushes the class through their art time. Joe yells out, "Stop the Clock!" and time stands still. Joe finally has time to notice the little details about people and nature and the city that he never had the space to see before.

I loved this cute book! It has such a positive message about taking the time to appreciate the little things in life, and it is told in a powerful yet simple way. Joe is such a sweet little guy! I just want to give him a big hug. He's very creative and observant too.

The illustrations are bright and attractive. It's really clever the way that light and dark colors are used to bring the focus onto certain aspects of the story. When Joe is rushing past, everything around him looks sort of gray. But when time stops, everything becomes brighter around him and he can notice all the colorful details.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

[The Silvan Reverie | Sarah Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that has an impactful message through the narrative that adults will take note of just as much as children, but certainly in different ways. I love how the beginning is the world of TIME from a young child's perspective -- everyone is rushing and starting and stopping and it feels frustrating to be that child. In class he is able to stop the clock, stop time, and move around through the world noticing things he didn't get to earlier because of rushing with his mom and sister to school. It's a nice invitation to mindfulness and slowing down.

**Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Publisher's Spotlight. Opinions are my own.

[Iskra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joe experiences a hectic morning at home and school. How and where will he find enjoyment?

Joe’s mum wishes him to be on time for school, but there are many things to grab or remember: a school book, keys, and a toast to eat on the way. Together with his little sister, they dash the streets, worried or unhappy.

The school is not better than home. Joe’s teacher, Mr. Khan, is also stressed out by doing things on time. Joe couldn't draw his sister in the picture when the art lesson finished. Frustrated, he shouts for the clock to stop. And that is what happened literally and metaphorically.

Skillfully drawn illustrations show how Joe skipped outside the streets of London to explore the shades around, enjoy nature, and see details from the surrounding window buildings, which disclose a little about the occupants in a diverse community.

“Stop the Clock” shows that even if punctuality is essential, we must pay attention to what surrounds us. Many children will relate to the hectic school run, and even if they don’t have Joe’s ability, some ideas of experiencing beauty and tranquillity might occur.

[Mrs.MakesReadingFun · Rating 3 out of 5]

We can absolutely relate to the rush, rush, rush of mornings and the rush, rush, rush of school!
This book began with a very rushed & stressful family morning, which many children can relate to. The young boy Joe is also rushed later in art class, and yells- Stop the Clock!
It's then where our young readers were a bit confused.... He left school on his own? He stopped time? Is this a fantasy book?

The ultimate message of the story is very important- slowing down to appreciate the little details around you. But I think our young readers found it a bit confusing, and we needed to take time to explain.

[Emma Murch · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚 Book Review 📚

This is a beautiful picture book for young children. It is about a little boy who is painting a picture at school and is fed up with everyone being in such a rush all the time. Magically, he stops the clocks and indeed time, which gives him the opportunity to see the glorious colours of the world around him.

Gorgeous book with a clear message for younger children.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joe is in a panic as he is late for school one more time! His harried Mom is trying to keep things together (including herself) and on schedule. To make matters even worse poor baby Poppy is wailing at the top of her lungs and Joe can't figure out for the life of him why she is so upset. Off they dash to get him into school before that last warning bell sounds. Immersed in all the stress Joe is unaware of his surroundings and must focuse on being on time.

His teacher Mr. Khan asks the class to draw all the things they observed on their way to school. Oh my, Joe's trip to school was on fast-forward mode and his brain cannot recall one thing he observed.

That's the last straw! Joe has had it. He is done accepting time as his enemy... he desperately wants it to be his friend. He makes a calculated decision to stop it! In doing so he will be able to revel in the present moment and appreciate all the beauty it has to offer. He also really wants to find out why his little sister was so upset and shedding copious tears. Will Joe be able to command time to come to a standstill so he can rewind and re-live his morning with all his senses awake and able to absorb his world around him?

The illustrations are wonderful. They are very expressive, detailed, colourful and they enrich the text greatly. This heartwarming tale inspires people, both young and old, to slow down and appreciate life at a much slower pace. I highly recommend this book!


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stop the Clock is a wonderful book that serves as a reminder to slow down and appreciate the things around you. The story follows Joe as he is rushed out of the house, through the day at school and activities. When Joe can't take it anymore he shouts, "Stop the clock!" and life pauses around him. Being able to stop time and see Joe fully take in the moment is such a powerful image for readers of all ages and is a great reminder to take a break from our fast paced world. The illustrations are remarkable and become more vibrant as time pauses juxtaposed to the dullness in the rushing world. This is a lovely story for all ages to enjoy and be reminded to live in the moment.

Special thanks to Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gentle reminder to kids that it is great to stop and smell the roses rather than constantly rush around. A young boy is being rushed throughout the day, even struggling to get his art project done. He is understandably frustrated and shouts out to stop the clock, which of course magically stops. It gives him a chance to see his world through a different lens.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rush, rush, rush! Joe is hurried to school and then he is hurried at school and---finally---Joe shouts, "Stop the Clock!"

And the clock stops. And Joe has time to explore all the delights of the world, one by one.

A nice story to spark conversation about our hurry-hurry world.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A glorious book about slowing down, mindfulness and taking notice of the world we live in. In our 24/7 modern world our children need to hear this message loud and clear. Beautifully illustrated and lots of addicts of diversity within the drawings. Plus humour to be found on every page.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Lara Bate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of a boy who needed more time to finish his drawing at school. He stopped the clock and was able to finish his drawing.