Alistair's Time Machine

Alistair Grittle

by Marilyn Sadler

Alistair's entry in a science competition takes him to many places and time periods, but unfortunately he can't prove this to the judges

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Time Travel

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

With a degree in fine arts, Marilyn Sadler assumed she would be an illustrator. But when early in her career she was presented with an opportunity to write, she seized it and quickly discovered that she had found her true love. No sad, sappy stories for her, however. She likes to make herself laugh, and with that her characters usually end up looking pretty silly for one reason or another.

Her first children’s book featured a fastidious little English boy named Alistair Grittle and was originally created for the English publisher, Hamish Hamilton, as well as for Simon & Schuster in the United States. Having created a boy with such perfect behavior, she then turned her attention to a not so perfectly behaved little boy. His name was P.J. Funnybunny, and he has existed in a series of books for Random House, including the highly prestigious Dr. Seuss Cat In the Hat series.

Marilyn’s television credits include two PBS Reading Rainbow programs featuring Alistair, an Alistair program for the BBC, three ABC Weekend Specials featuring P.J. Funnybunny, and a show based on her children’s book, "Elizabeth and Larry", for Showtime’s Shelley Duvall’s Bedtime Stories.

Between 1999 and 2004, The Disney Channel produced three Original Movies based on her book, "Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century". Each of Disney’s Zenon movies had exceptionally high ratings, with Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century and Zenon the Zequel among the highest rated shows in the history of The Disney Channel.

In 2004, Playhouse Disney began production on Marilyn and Roger Bollen's animated series, Handy Manny. Handy Manny premiered September 16, 2006, as the highest rated Playhouse Disney series premiere of all time. In 2009, Marilyn was nominated for an Emmy Award as Executive Producer of Handy Manny.

Reviews

[The Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alistair is a boy genius who loves science and plans on entering the school's science fair. After much deliberation he decides to build a time machine as his entry. And though the time machine works, it doesn't always function as Alistair would like - often sending the user to a time not chosen. Alistair finally makes it home and tries to show the judges that the time machine works, but they don't believe him. (Maybe the wooly mammoths Alistair accidentally brings into the present will convince them?)

Fun illustrations.

[midnightfaerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book my 6 yr old as well as my twin 3 yr olds loved. A solid reading level 1 book, this cute story keeps all ages engaged with the bright colorful pictures and cute story. A great addition to any children's library.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

We love Alistair! He is smart and unafraid of adventure. He is a good sport and is polite even in the face of defeat. He breaks from the stereotypical mold and expands on what it means to be a boy. We'd love to read more books about Alistair!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alistair Grittle was a boy of science. So everyone expects him to win the science fair. He invents a time machine and travels back to see all kinds of sights. But when he gets back and rushes to the science fair, he can’t get the time machine to work! So first prize goes to Hector Dowdy.

[Powers Family · Rating 4 out of 5]

We love the science loving Alistair and his inventions!

[Joanne-in-Canada · Rating 3 out of 5]

#6 square for 2015 Bingo: With time travel 8^D

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alistair Grittle "a boy of science" takes the reader on a journey through time--even posing for a cave painting. Bollen's illustrations are a pitch perfect accompaniment to the text.

[Bonnie Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alistair Grittle, a boy of science who loves watching cells divide, decides to build a time machine for a science competition, and the usual Alistair sort of humorous situations follow.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alistair invents a time machine for the science fair. He proves that it works, but it won't work for the judges. I loved the ending...it's okay to not come in first and to be a good loser.

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice little story of imagination and perseverance.

[Alison Williams · Rating 1 out of 5]

unable to read

Unable to read on kindle fire and on kindle app, son was very upset as he was looking forward to the book