An original and humorous anthology of stories and poems, with animals and nature at its heart.
Many thanks to the author for graciously providing this review copy! (You can check out her Instagram here.)
Once Upon a Clock by Christine and Jenny Harrison is a whimsical and heartwarming anthology that blends stories, poems, and cartoons into a delightful celebration of animals and nature. Created during the 2020 lockdowns, this book is a true family collaboration—one handled the illustrations and some writing, the other contributed the majority of the text.
This isn’t a grand fantasy quest, but rather a collection of whimsical moments and observations from the natural world, infused with a gentle wit.
Each page is infused with humor and charm, making it suitable for readers of all ages. Each piece feels like a small window into a world where tails wag with wisdom and time ticks to the rhythm of rhymes. The illustrations, particularly the animal cartoons, add a playful and endearing layer to the reading experience. This book is crafted with affection for its subjects.
Once Upon A Clock is the kind of book you can pick up and enjoy a few pieces from or read cover-to-cover for a dose of warmth and gentle humor. It’s perfect for anyone who loves animals, enjoys short, digestible reads, or just needs a little bright spot in their day. Forget epic battles and ticking chronometers – this book offers a quiet, delightful escape into a world where everyday nature takes the spotlight.
What truly shines in this collection is its heart. Each piece, whether a short tale or a playful poem, showcases a keen appreciation for the creatures and landscapes around us. You’ll find yourself smiling at the antics of various animals and nodding along to poems that capture the simple beauty of nature’s rhythm. The “humorous” aspect mentioned in its description truly comes through, making it a light and enjoyable read that can bring a chuckle or a moment of reflection.
The collection’s core strength lies in its profound appreciation for its subject matter. Each individual piece, be it a short story or a poetic verse, demonstrates a keen and discerning appreciation for the diverse creatures and natural landscapes it portrays. Readers will find themselves engaged by the spirited portrayals of animal behavior and resonate with the poetic depictions that artfully capture the inherent beauty and rhythm of nature. The promised humorous elements are consistently delivered, rendering the collection a pleasant and enriching read capable of eliciting both amusement and thoughtful contemplation.
What I loved about this book: connection to nature, imagination and whimsy, family and creativity, with resilience and joy. There are opportunities for learning new vocabulary words (such as pompous and peripheral) with some science added in (“Surfy says waves are made by the moon (?!!!?!”). Other stories leave the ending open for readers to come up with their own thoughts and create an ending. The dog drawings are endearing and hilarious (loved the canine banging his long snout on a chair and the scruffy dog running away with knickers in his mouth, and expecially the two little doggies in love), while Little Miss Ruffet is drawn as a quite opinionated little girl.
One story touches on the myth of the Phoenix rising from the ashes – another chance for the parent to do some teaching, as they explain how “Phoenix Nick” is a play on another character.
Nestled amongst the short stories and rhyming poems is a longish tale entitled “The Tale of a Tail and Bark’s Lost Bark”. Whimsical characters (an aardvark, dogs, a mouse, and a horse, just to name a few) share adventures and silliness, and the story comes to a satisfying conclusion.
I definitely recommend this sweet collection to kids of all ages. Want your own copy? You can pick it up here.
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