Grandpa's Clock

by Rachna Gilmore, Amy Meissner (Illustrator)

"Slow and steady," that's how you make a grandfather clock.

Grandpa should know. He and Cayley have made nineteen clocks together. Now they are making Cayley's very own, a Lord Nelson. Then, one night, Cayley awakes to the sound of a siren. Grandpa is gone. Cayley is scared by what she sees when she is allowed to visit him in the hospital. But scared or not, she knows what Grandpa needs, and she tells him, "Slow and steady" as he heals. The Lord Nelson clock waits, patiently, to be finished.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2006

About the author

Rachna Gilmore is the best-selling, critically acclaimed Governor General’s Award winning author of numerous books with multiple honours and awards. Her publications include picture books, early readers, middle grade and young adult novels, as well as adult fiction.
Rachna’s books are sold internationally with translations in French, Danish, German, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, Bengali, Chinese as well as several other languages. A skilled and experienced presenter, Rachna gives inumerable readings and workshops in schools, libraries and conferences across the country as well as internationally.
Born in India, Rachna has lived in London, England and Prince Edward Island. She now lives in Ottawa where she continues to plark (play, work, lark) at dreaming up weird and wonder-filled tales.

http://www.rachnagilmore.ca/bio.html

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cayley and her grandfather had worked together to build nineteen clocks since the time that he had moved into her house, and now it was finally time to start on a clock for Cayley herself! Working slow and steady, as Grandpa always advised, the two had just begun to construct a Lord Nelson Clock, when the unthinkable happened: Grandpa had a heart attack, and was rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night. What could Cayley do, to show Grandpa that she loved him, and to help him get better? And would her own special clock ever be finished...?

Another engaging family story from Canadian children's author Rachna Gilmore, whose When I Was A Little Girl and Making Grizzle Grow were picture-book examinations of the child-parent relationship, Grandpa's Clock is a celebration of the love between grandparents and grandchildren. The story is involving, and emotionally satisfying, and the accompanying watercolor illustrations by Amy Meissner are appealing. All in all, just a lovely little picture-book, one I would recommend to anyone looking for children's stories that feature the bond between grandparent and grandchild.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about Cayley and her grandfather, who has come to live with her family. Cayley helps her grandfather make clocks for their family members and it is her turn next. Then her grandfather has a heart attack and things are put on hold. This book shows how children can learn to put others needs first when there is a tragedy as Cayley does for her grandfather's healing.

This book would be good for 3-5 grades to illustrate caring for others.

[Ginna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is one of Canada's most revered children's book authors, and the illustrations are heartfelt and full of life. The story of learning from a beloved elder is one that was important to me during my childhood -- and this book has an empowering twist.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very heartwarming story about a young girl and her grandfather who are making a grandfather clock together. They have worked on many clocks together, but this one is special, because it is for her. When her Grandfather ends up in the hospital suddenly, the little girl is scared for him and worried that he might not get better. The way that the story follows the little girl and shows her emotions throughout the ordeal is very touching. I love how she gives him the small clock he gave her when she was having nightmares, echoing his words with her own:

Cay ley's here, tock
All is well, tock.
Cay ley's here, tock.
All is well, tock.

I could really appreciate the extended family closeness, as my husband's mother lives with us and she has a very special bond with our girls. And the fact that he shares baseball with her brother is nice, showing the special time that he spends with each of his grandchildren. Overall, it's a wonderful story and we really enjoyed reading it together.

[Zonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of taking the time to love. Cayley and her grandfather work together to make clocks. After grandfather becomes sick (stroke?) Cayley brings a clock to the hospital to help him recover. Great demonstration of what a clockmaker does.