Book Review: The Wonder Clock

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Wonder Clock     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Howard Pyle
Class/Genre:   Fiction   Juvenile   [Short Stories]
Tor, Jan 2003, $5.99, 336 pp.

The narrator of the twenty-four stories (plus an introduction) finds a special clock in Father Time's attic, which strikes on the hour with songs and puppet dances. "Four and twenty marvelous tales, one for each hour of the day" all start with a verse to coincide with that particular hour. Drawings are included to add further depth. Each ends with a morality lesson, which never interferes with the story, but helps wrap up that entry.

This nineteenth century collection is remarkable in different ways depending on the reader. The tales provide insight into daily household life and the morality of a bygone era. The contributions also furbish delightful fairy tales for the young at heart that are enhanced by superb figures of speech and tremendous illustrations with a finale moral lesson. This collection is a winner and will send many a reader searching for other works by Howard Pyle.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner