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Time Zones
What are time zones and why do they exist? When it's noon where you live, why is it midnight halfway around the world? This entertaining book explains why time zones exist and includes little-known facts and historical lore, an explanation of Daylight Savings Time, and a hands-on activity that can be performed at home or in the classroom.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2010
4 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
David A. Adler
407 books206 followersDavid 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)
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)
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 21, 2011
I reserved this book at the same time I reserved a book I read a few days ago: When It's Six O'Clock in San Francisco: A Trip Through Time Zones.
Personally, as an adult, I could have done without the “this information is brought to you by” man in spaceship with a (very cute) dog and some aliens sort of concept, and the cartoon style illustrations, even though I did like them.
But, this is an excellent information book about time zones. And there is information included about the history of how time zones were “invented” and decided on, how and why the demarcation points between them are not always straight lines, some about daylight savings time, the Greenwich prime meridian/the international date line, and other related topics. The maps are helpful, the clocks set to various times were helpful, and there is even an activity project kids can do to better understand time zones, particularly helpful if they have a globe though, as the book says, a ball be used.
The presentation of information is done in an interesting, and mostly clear, manner, and I think this book can help children understand time zones, although for younger children, I assume some might be confused even after reading this book and the other book I read/linked above.
My favorite part of the book was the history of why and how the twenty four time zones were created. There is even a real photograph of those attending the International Meridian Conference in Washington, D.C. in 1884.
Personally, as an adult, I could have done without the “this information is brought to you by” man in spaceship with a (very cute) dog and some aliens sort of concept, and the cartoon style illustrations, even though I did like them.
But, this is an excellent information book about time zones. And there is information included about the history of how time zones were “invented” and decided on, how and why the demarcation points between them are not always straight lines, some about daylight savings time, the Greenwich prime meridian/the international date line, and other related topics. The maps are helpful, the clocks set to various times were helpful, and there is even an activity project kids can do to better understand time zones, particularly helpful if they have a globe though, as the book says, a ball be used.
The presentation of information is done in an interesting, and mostly clear, manner, and I think this book can help children understand time zones, although for younger children, I assume some might be confused even after reading this book and the other book I read/linked above.
My favorite part of the book was the history of why and how the twenty four time zones were created. There is even a real photograph of those attending the International Meridian Conference in Washington, D.C. in 1884.
December 22, 2016
Text: 5 stars
Art: 4 stars
This nonfiction book for elementary school students provides a solid explanation of time zones and why it is not the same time in different places of the world. This book does an excellent job describing how time zones came about and why they are necessary. There is also a page on Daylight Savings Time included. Helpful visuals of the United States time zones and the division of time zones around the world, including how the demarcations curve, angle, and squiggle.
Art: 4 stars
This nonfiction book for elementary school students provides a solid explanation of time zones and why it is not the same time in different places of the world. This book does an excellent job describing how time zones came about and why they are necessary. There is also a page on Daylight Savings Time included. Helpful visuals of the United States time zones and the division of time zones around the world, including how the demarcations curve, angle, and squiggle.
November 17, 2010
What a great way for kids to learn about time zones! The reader blasts off with a time zone traveler, starting in Los Angeles and traveling east. As he flies over different countries, he points out the location and time and what a child might be doing at that time. Adler then dips into the history and facts about time zones, how these were developed and why, always with Miller's delightful illustrations humorously expounding on the text. A review of US time zones and daylight savings time is included, along with a time zone project that is done easily with a lamp and a globe.
March 29, 2013
I think this might be my favorite David Adler book. I feel like time zones would be social studies content, but I think there is a tie to science and math as well. It's not that I didn't know about time zones, but I sure learned some new interesting information--like how time zones were first established! A little bit about daylight savings time is included, but more could be shared there. Fun book with good information to share with students.
April 23, 2023
Written by David Adler, a former math teacher, this title is not as good as his math title, Circles. However, it does serve the purpose of a good brief description of time zones and of when and why they began. Also good explanation and diagrams about the earth rotating in an east direction and that fact means daylight is not present over all the earth at the same time. Personally I think there are a number of people who could benefit from this title.
March 22, 2017
This book offers a basic description about time zones around the world.
It explains some of the history about how time zones were created as well as the International Date Line.
The illustrations are vibrantly colorful and really help to explain the concepts. I would recommend this book for older elementary school-age students.
It explains some of the history about how time zones were created as well as the International Date Line.
The illustrations are vibrantly colorful and really help to explain the concepts. I would recommend this book for older elementary school-age students.
March 29, 2014
(Intermediate) Time Zones by David A. Alder
Twin Text: When It’s Six O’clock in San Francisco by Cynthia Jaynes Omolou Copyright date 2009
Rationale: This picture book describes the daily events that take place in nine different locations throughout the world. Students learn about nine different children and what they are doing at the same time but while they are in different time zones. I mainly selected this book, because it does an outstanding job of providing students with a visual image of what is taking place in peoples lives in the different time zones. Students are also provided with images of clocks that share time different times. This picture book can also be tied into a geography lesson as students lean about different states and countries and cultural activities.
Text Structure: This book uses questions and answers to share information and detail about different times in different locations of the world. This book also uses description as it shared the different events that are taking place all over the world in different time zones. Cause and effect is also used as students learn about how the Earth rotates towards the sun at a tile and how this causes day and night to different from places all over the world. An established sequence is also used to talk about how time was shared in the past and how telling time evolved over the years, leading the division of twenty-four time zones that were create in 1884.
Strategy application: I would have students create a Venn diagram and describe the similarities of ways we could tell time in different location of the world in the past and future. Students will also record characteristics that relate specifically to telling time in the past and today. A Venn diagram can also be used to compare two different locations in the word, with different time zones.
(2010, December 15). Booklist. http://www.booksinprint2.com.leo.lib....#
The creators of Fun with Roman Numerals (2008) and Money Madness (2009) collaborate here to explain the concept of time zones. Miller employs an astronaut and his robot dog to serve as guides for Adler's discussion of the differences in times around the globe caused by the earth's rotation in an easterly direction, resulting in later times as one travels east. He notes the difficulties faced (particularly with train travel) before the 1883 adoption of standardized time, describes how the 24 zones are adjusted to accommodate heavily populated areas or a particular country's preferences, and clarifies the need for the prime meridian and international date line. Miller's bold, cartoon-style collage art invites readers to ponder the ideas Adler presents. His use of humorous characters (a smiling sun and several Martians) adds to the book's appeal without detracting from the science. Numerous maps, diagrams, and a few documentary photos also help to clarify complex ideas, and a globe and lamp demonstration will help students visualize time zones.--Weisman, Kay Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.
Twin Text: When It’s Six O’clock in San Francisco by Cynthia Jaynes Omolou Copyright date 2009
Rationale: This picture book describes the daily events that take place in nine different locations throughout the world. Students learn about nine different children and what they are doing at the same time but while they are in different time zones. I mainly selected this book, because it does an outstanding job of providing students with a visual image of what is taking place in peoples lives in the different time zones. Students are also provided with images of clocks that share time different times. This picture book can also be tied into a geography lesson as students lean about different states and countries and cultural activities.
Text Structure: This book uses questions and answers to share information and detail about different times in different locations of the world. This book also uses description as it shared the different events that are taking place all over the world in different time zones. Cause and effect is also used as students learn about how the Earth rotates towards the sun at a tile and how this causes day and night to different from places all over the world. An established sequence is also used to talk about how time was shared in the past and how telling time evolved over the years, leading the division of twenty-four time zones that were create in 1884.
Strategy application: I would have students create a Venn diagram and describe the similarities of ways we could tell time in different location of the world in the past and future. Students will also record characteristics that relate specifically to telling time in the past and today. A Venn diagram can also be used to compare two different locations in the word, with different time zones.
(2010, December 15). Booklist. http://www.booksinprint2.com.leo.lib....#
The creators of Fun with Roman Numerals (2008) and Money Madness (2009) collaborate here to explain the concept of time zones. Miller employs an astronaut and his robot dog to serve as guides for Adler's discussion of the differences in times around the globe caused by the earth's rotation in an easterly direction, resulting in later times as one travels east. He notes the difficulties faced (particularly with train travel) before the 1883 adoption of standardized time, describes how the 24 zones are adjusted to accommodate heavily populated areas or a particular country's preferences, and clarifies the need for the prime meridian and international date line. Miller's bold, cartoon-style collage art invites readers to ponder the ideas Adler presents. His use of humorous characters (a smiling sun and several Martians) adds to the book's appeal without detracting from the science. Numerous maps, diagrams, and a few documentary photos also help to clarify complex ideas, and a globe and lamp demonstration will help students visualize time zones.--Weisman, Kay Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.
Read
March 19, 20151. When It's Six O'Clock in San Francisco: A Trip Through Time Zones
by C.J. Omololu, Randy DuBurke (Illustrator)
2009
2. Twin Connections-
The twin text for this nonfiction book is an extension of learning about time zones. The nonfiction book gives the facts about how time zones work and the fiction book shows what children do around the world in those time zones.
3. Established Sequence
4.Strategy Application- Students could make a graphic organizer of the different time zones. This would support main idea and detail. Each time zone would be a main idea and details could come from both nonfiction and fiction books on the topic.
by C.J. Omololu, Randy DuBurke (Illustrator)
2009
2. Twin Connections-
The twin text for this nonfiction book is an extension of learning about time zones. The nonfiction book gives the facts about how time zones work and the fiction book shows what children do around the world in those time zones.
3. Established Sequence
4.Strategy Application- Students could make a graphic organizer of the different time zones. This would support main idea and detail. Each time zone would be a main idea and details could come from both nonfiction and fiction books on the topic.
October 9, 2010
Fun science book about time zones. Covers why we need them and how they were established. Talks about need for standard time zones and how they work. Cartoonish illustrations feature an astronaut and his robot dog as they travel through time and time zones.
January 4, 2011
Cute illustrations help this informative trip around the world! Adler presents a straightforward explanation of time zones for a young audience (kindergarten - primary school). Includes a simple experiment.
March 9, 2011
I learned things from this book that I should have learned as a kid, and you probably will too (unless you're a scientist). Time zones confuse so many people, this book is great to end that confusion early on.
January 19, 2013
Well done, clear & interesting.
February 9, 2011
great info. cheezy illustrations.
April 2, 2017
Really cool explanations of time zones, why we have them, and the history behind them. The text features are really cool too!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews