THE CLOCK
by Pam Fong
Union Square Kids
Picture Book
40 pages
ages 4 to 8
COMING...
OCTOBER 14th!!!
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.
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.
MY TIDBITS
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.
And here she is...
Pam Fong is the author and illustrator of Hedgehog and the Log, Rou and the Great Race, Once Upon a Forest, and A Spark in the Dark. After decades working in the art world, Pam is now committed to the important work of creating timeless picture books. She earned a degree in Visual Arts from the University of California, San Diego, and a Master of Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University. She lives in San Diego, CA, with her family. She invites you to visit her online at www.pamfong.com.
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