Timeless by Kelly Canby

The glorious cover of Timeless by Kelly Canby will draw the reader to this very telling story. Emit, whose name is time spelt backwards, is trying to find a way to find more time. No one has time anymore. They are caught up in the busyness of their lives. His parents are too busy to play with him or read to him so he begins a search for time.

The story cleverly uses well known time phrases such as ‘began in no time at all’, ‘running out of time’, ‘losing track of…’ , ‘letting it slip through their fingers’ and ‘time and time again’. Even the phrase ‘time flies’ has Emit trying to catch time. Perhaps the most telling is when Emit tries ‘to buy time’. A wise person behind the counter tells Emit that you ‘have to make time’. Which is exactly what Emit and his family finally do.

This beautiful book is filled with vibrant and appealing illustrations on each double page and striking endpapers full of busyness and explosions of colour. The simple yet powerful text tell a story that will resonate with children and the adults in their lives. Teacher's notes and an activity are available from the publisher.

Themes: Family, time.

Kathryn Beilby