The Clock

by Pam Fong

An artful nonfiction ode to the beauty and magic of second chances.

In early twentieth-century Paris, a new train station—the Gare d’Orsay—was a marvel to everyone who saw it. With stunning architecture and the first trains to be powered by electricity, the station welcomed the world. At the heart of the station was a brilliant clock that hung high above the crowds.

The clock was essential in keeping the station humming. It was as beautiful as it was important. Until it was not.

Paris expanded and soon outgrew the station. The crowds moved elsewhere, and the clock was abandoned. But memories are strong, and a love of beauty remains.

In this poignant account of the transformation of a Paris train station into the world-class Musée d’Orsay (Orsay Museum), Pam Fong invites readers to experience the decades-long journey of a resilient clock, and to discover a lasting truth—there is always time for second chances.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, Art, History, Juvenile, France

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 14, 2025

Reviews

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A visual step back into history progresses into inspiration and hope in a touching way.

The Gare D'Orsay train station was an architectural accomplishment when it was built in Paris, and it held an amazing clock. But no one could guess that advancements in the transportation industry would make it obsolete only a few decades later. So, it stood abandoned and forgotten with the gorgeous clock hanging lonely on the wall.

This book is driven by the illustrations with the text coming in as needed to carry the story forward and bring across the information in a grabbing way. The details and happenings of the train station call to gazing and lure into the early time frame. Readers will enjoy exploring these and watching the people pass. The images work wonderfully for discovery and even a little explanation with interaction. The clock remains the center piece and will have readers wishing they could see it in real life.

There's a nice balance between atmosphere and facts, and it draws in to keep boredom away. More reluctant listeners might not be as taken, but normal readers are sure to appreciate the scenes. When the scenes shift more toward modern day, the mood changes, and while the author keeps it interesting during the reconstruction, the last pages land on what the building is today with a less dreamy feel. It ends as an invitation to the museum and shows how change opens new doors.

[Jeimy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved watching this magnificent clock begin its life as the centerpiece of the Gare d’Orsay, then a dazzling Beaux-Arts railway station. Pam Fong beautifully captures the sense of wonder surrounding the building’s debut—the electric trains, the soaring architecture, and at its heart, the clock that helped passengers and conductors keep time in a rapidly modernizing world.

Then progress moved on. The station closed. The crowds disappeared. And the clock kept ticking—until it didn’t. There is something deeply moving about the image of such beauty standing still, waiting.

When the station was reborn as the Musée d’Orsay, the clock was restored and once again became an object of awe. Now it watches over visitors wandering through galleries of exquisite Impressionist paintings. Fong’s telling is spare yet powerful, an ode to preservation and renewal. A reminder that even abandoned spaces—and abandoned dreams—can find new life.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book honors the great clock that decorated (and ran) the Orsay Station in France in 1900, tracing its story of abandonment and eventual reclamation with the Gare d'Orsay’s transformation into an art museum. The illustrations are striking and lovely to linger over, but the prose does not quite match the strength of the art. Most of the historical detail is saved for the back matter rather than integrated into the narrative, leaving the main text feeling somewhat thin. While children may enjoy the artwork, the story itself is likely to fall flat as a read-aloud.

Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this ARC.

[Shoshanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple and beautiful story of a very important clock! I love how there are depictions of the building over time, so people can see how the use of the building has changed, but it also retains its original majesty! I also like how instead of keeping the world from moving, now it stops the world from moving, in a space where one is welcome to linger, to interpret! We need clocks that do both! :)

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of a real clock that was in a train station and then restored to be in the museum that took over the train station years later. I wasn't super into the artwork..it seemed like 2 styles together. But was a quick read and good for ST.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool art! I agree with other reviews that the narrative is thin, and more historical details could have been incorporated into the prose. That said, the artwork is effective as a storytelling mechanism.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pam Fong’s The Clock is a beautifully illustrated picture book about a historic clock, with art that invites readers to linger over every detail. It creates a sense of history while telling a gentle story about renewal and care.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully designed book. The clock on the cover has gold foil accents, making it very shiny. The text is very simple in telling the history of this clock. The lovely illustrations faithfully reproduce the clock and its surroundings. Back matter includes a few more details.

[Breanna Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The clock was such a sweet and creative read. The story is simple but stays engaging and the illustrations are beautifully done. I can see kids reading this or it being read to them and staying engaged and interested the whole story.

[Aimee Leonhard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and a story well told.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visually stunning story of a Parisian clock’s evolution from train station timepiece to fixture in a beloved art museum.

[Holly Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story off the clock in the Orsay Train Station.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really beautiful story of historic preservation, but I did feel a little underwhelmed by this book.

[Liz Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

The artwork... incredible.

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute, informative overview of the restoration of the Musee d'Orsay. Having been there in 2013, I quite enjoyed it.

[Annie MacPherson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting about the Musée D'Orsay, but I didn't love the illustration style.

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would appeal to younger engineers as well as students interested in architecture. This book makes the story of the clock very interesting to learn about.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book bundle- ART

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just enough information.