About Time is the Children’s Book Watch-Collecting Parents Have Been Asking For
British Watchmaker Rebecca Struthers and science teacher and children’s book author Alom Shaha are about to break the watch industry internet with the introduction of their co-written children’s book, About Time.
By Barbara Palumbo
Contributor
Back in 2017, after an appointment at Baselworld with VJ Geronimo, then the President of Oris North America, I decided I wanted to write a cheeky little post on my blog about a watch that was introduced at the fair. It was only my second Baselworld as a watch “blogger” (I still get nauseated over that title), so VJ regaled me with the backstory about one of the brand’s new watch releases: the Oris Chronoris Date.
As I am of the “Beavis and Butthead” generation, naturally, I laughed at the name of the watch. “Oris Chronoris? Seriously, VJ?” and then proceeded to share a personal story with him about my then 7-year-old daughter.
I, to my Italian family’s dismay, managed to birth two red-headed children: a boy born in 2006, and a girl born in 2010. My boy was a stellar infant and toddler. Well-behaved. Bright. An early reader. My daughter, on the other hand, was an absolute maniac, leading to her father and me giving her the moniker of “Flores Delores.”
The whole story of how that nickname and an Oris watch turned into a children’s book was written about right here on Watchonista after the book was introduced at Baselworld’s Oris booth just one year later, but what I found astonishing was that the book became a cult classic, almost instantly.
Parents and soon-to-be parents who were also watch enthusiasts were messaging me every day, asking for a copy of the book. I forwarded those messages to VJ more times than I can count, and the book went into reprint several times.
Clearly, enthusiasts really wanted a way to introduce their offspring to the complex world of collecting. However, for a distressingly long time, it seemed as if that little book of mine was a mere blip. Fortunately, the new children’s book, About Time: A Children’s Guide to the History and Science of Time, which comes out on August 28th in the UK and September 2nd in the US, is going to scratch the itch of every
Tackling the Written Word About Watches… But For Littles
By all accounts, Rebecca Struthers of Struthers Watchmakers in the United Kingdom is widely regarded as the most qualified watchmaker in British history.
She is the first person in her area of expertise to earn a PhD in the field of horology. This is quite the feat for any human being; however, since the watch industry is still largely male-dominated, this accomplishment is that much sweeter for us female onlookers who want to see more women tackle this industry. She is also an accomplished author, having written the 2023 historical book, Hands of Time: A Watchmaker’s History.
Needless to say, Struthers is no stranger to the written word, but the written word that a child might be interested in is a completely different animal altogether. This is where her co-author, Alom Shaha, comes in.
Alom Shaha is also no stranger to the written word. A father, science teacher, and author of multiple children’s books related to STEM, Shaha was the ideal partner in this project, according to Struthers. The two worked on creating a book that a 7+ year-old child might find interesting while also pulling them into a world where they, too, could show off their own creativity.
The illustrations alone – which are stunningly vibrant and clever – were created by Devon-based illustrator Lucy Rose. Basically, these three supremely talented individuals came together to create a children’s book that is nothing short of *chef’s kiss*.
Fascinating, Informative, Interactive, and Visually Appealing
Published by DK (in the UK) and Penguin Random House (in the US), About Time, which is set to be released on August 28th in the UK and September 2nd in the US, is not just a perfect introduction to the clock and watch world for kids, but for anyone who might be interested in the field of horology who would need a “Cliff’s Notes” of sorts.
With topics such as “Wild On Time,” “Calendars Around the World,” “Clockwork Creations,” and “Time and Space” (plus multiple others), a child can learn about the concept of time, its importance in science, our planet, our animals, and our everyday life.
The interactive section of the book, however, is where it really starts to get fun for a creative child, as the book invites the reader to create their own sundial, water clock, and sandglass while explaining the history behind each of the time-telling apparatuses. BUT WAIT. THERE’S MORE!
The latter part of the book gets complicated in the best of ways because it covers, in a really fun, beautiful way, well, complications… and escapements… and gear trains, power sources, methods of display, and dial decorations and… and… and… AND IT JUST GETS BETTER because it then discusses the importance of famed watchmakers and why they are deemed significant.
Finally, at the very end, as if all of this wasn’t enough to convince you to buy this book, there is an actual glossary. Dead. I’m dead. I died. It’s the perfect… PERFECT children’s book. I hope that this team of geniuses creates a part two because I’m already through the first one… err, I mean, my kids are already through it.
Available for pre-order from Amazon now, if you want a copy with a dedication of your choice and signed by Rebecca Struthers and Alom Shaha, you can pre-order it through Booka.