Telling Time

by David A. Adler, Edward Miller (Illustrator)

A group of young space travelers can't wait for their pizza party later, but how many hours away is dinner? What are hours anyway?

Readers follow along as a loveable crew of kid astronauts and their Martain friends go about their daily routine, exploring the differences between seconds, minutes, and hours; what A.M. and P.M. mean; and how to tell time on both digital and analog clocks. Ten seconds to liftoff! Are you ready?

Veteran children's nonfiction author David Adler incorporates math concepts, such as addition and subtraction, into this fun narrative with problem-solving exercises for readers to tackle at their own pace. Edward Miller's vibrant cartoon art depicts the happy group of friends embarking on space walks, working together on projects, and settling in for bed.

The sixteenth book in Adler and Miller's math picture book series, this title is perfect for enthusiastic learners or kids who may need a little extra support in mastering this essential life skill. A glossary explains time zones, daylight savings time, and more. An out-of-this-world STEM book.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, Mathematics

32 pages, Paperback

First published December 10, 2019

About the author

David Abraham Adler is an American children's author. He was born in New York City, New York in 1947. He graduated from Queens College in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in economics and education. For the next nine years, he worked as a mathematics teacher for the New York City Board of Education, while taking classes towards a master's degree in marketing, a degree he was awarded by New York University in 1971. In that same year, a question from his then-three-year-old nephew inspired Adler to write his first story, A Little at a Time, subsequently published by Random House in 1976. Adler's next project, a series of math books, drew on his experience as a math teacher. In 1977, he created his most famous character, Cam Jansen, originally featured in Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds, which was published that year.

Adler married psychologist Renee Hamada in 1973, and their first child, Michael, was born in 1977. By that time Adler had taken a break from teaching and, while his wife continued her work, he stayed home, took care of Michael, and began a full-time writing career.

Adler's son, Michael S. Adler, is now the co-author of several books with his father, including A Picture Book of Sam Adams, A Picture Book of John Hancock, and A Picture Book of James and Dolly Madison. Another son, Edward, was the inspiration for Adler's Andy Russell series, with the events described in the series loosely based on adventures the Adler family had with Edward's enthusiasm and his pets.

As of November 2008, Adler has three sons and two grandsons. He lives in Woodmere, New York.

(source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Sylvia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book provides accurate information about telling time, but is incredibly boring to read. The illustrations are adorable but there's not much of a story to go along with it.

On a personal note that may not be an issue for others, I also did not enjoy reading all of the various ways people may describe time such as 10 past 4. It's not how I talk and I don't enjoy teaching my children that.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Telling Time by David Adler, illustrated by Edward Miller. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Holiday House, 2019. $19. 9780823440924

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Adler takes us through a simple, logical, and informative look at telling time in analog.

Even though we live in a more and more digital world, there is value in learning to read an analog clock. Adler’s approach works – the teaching leads to quick exercises that don’t feel like practice. The only thing this lacks is a clock with movable hands.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Heather Runnels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thorough but confusing.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've said this before and will most likely say it again: Nobody simplifies complex mathematical concepts better than David A. Adler. While the text does read like a lesson, that isn't necessarily a bad thing since the book takes a confusing idea and breaks it down into small bits so that readers can understand how each day is measured according to hours, minutes, and seconds. He also explains a.m. and p.m. and the always confusing "quarter-after" or "half-past" terms that are used when telling time. The illustrations feature space travelers in search of adventure and a delicious slice of pizza, enhancing the text and making it even more appealing and relatable to a young audience. I appreciated all the examples of telling time as well as the distinction between analog and digital clocks. There is a useful glossary and an Author's Note that discusses sundials and Daylight Savings Time use in this country but not in other places. This book is a helpful aid for anyone struggling to learn how to tell time--and that's probably everyone at some time--ah!--or other. This one, like all of Adler's books, would be a good addition for an elementary classroom.

[Musiclib · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "Telling Time" Adler introduces the concept of time and how to tell time on both digital and analog clocks. The book goes into more detail than I expected (like how some people may say 4:50 is 10 minutes to 5, etc.)

The middle of the book is a series of exercises for reading analog clocks. The illustrations utilize multiplication to figure out the minute hand's position, but the large analog clocks in each example have the breakdown available if students aren't ready for multiplication yet (i.e. the 1 has a 5 next to it, 2 has a 10, etc.).

I think this is a good introduction to telling time, although some students might get overwhelmed with the middle of the book.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much creativity went into this instructional book for early readers. To this Goodreader, David A. Adler writes like a master teacher. Such impressive writing and teaching!

Adler starts with a winning premise. Human astronauts and their Martain friends, all kids, go about their daily routine.

Automatically, what comes up? There are differences between seconds, minutes, and hours.

When you're traveling through space, what does A.M. mean?

How about P.M.?

Digital clocks predominate in the illustrations, but analog clocks aren't discounted.

FIVE STARS of gleeful appreciation from this Goodreads Reviewer!

[Camille]

My 7 year old gave this book 2 stars. I gave it 4, so we are meeting in the middle with 3 stars. This is a learning book not a fun book. The lessons about time were very direct so my son felt like it was a school book and not a pleasure-reading book. I thought it was a great refresher for learning how to tell time, which my son needed.

[Katie Ark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of great information but it does read like a math lesson - a tries-to-make-it-fun lesson, but still a lesson. I would definitely use it in the classroom but make sure that I had teaching clocks on hand to pair with it to make it more interactive.

[Iva Campbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

David Adler does a great job of instructing how to tell time, both on digital and analog clocks. Not sure why a space theme was used, but makes for different illustrations and more fun for students as they are learning about time.

[Kristen Thorp · Rating 4 out of 5]

311/365

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adler writes books that are kid-friendly and clear, making complex content accessibly and fin to read.
This is a book that kids will enjoy and parents/teachers will appreciate having on hand.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very thorough picture book that shows how to tell time on an analog clock. Best for one-on-one story for elementary children.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Adler is amazing when it comes to explaining concepts in his books. Does a great job handling time in this book.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bookaday #15. Bright and colorful look at clocks and time. Does a great job with the analog clock and elapsed time. Author note has interesting tidbits as well.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent example book for learning to tell time.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty straightforward book about how to read a clock.

[Nanny B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great explanations and diagrams for one learning to tell time.

[Maki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very detailed book about telling time, word problems too about time.

[Viviana · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.8 stars

[Beau Manglass · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5