Time of Wonder

Time of Wonder follows a family's summer experiences on an island in Penobscot Bay, Maine. The story captures daily life through sailing adventures, encounters with local wildlife, and interactions with the natural elements. The narrative flows through the distinct rhythms of island life, from foggy mornings to peaceful nights. Weather plays a central role, with scenes ranging from gentle summer days to the approach of a powerful storm. McCloskey's watercolor illustrations depict the coastal Maine landscape in rich detail. The artwork presents both panoramic views of the bay and intimate moments of family activities. The book stands as a celebration of childhood wonder and the deep connection between humans and nature. Through its immersion in island life, the story explores themes of time, change, and the lasting impact of summer memories.

Readers consistently highlight the book's immersive portrayal of coastal Maine life and weather patterns. Many note how the second-person narration puts children directly into the story, making them feel part of the island experience. Readers liked: - Detailed watercolor illustrations capturing nature and sea life - Educational content about tides, storms, and sailing - Nostalgic appeal for adults who visited Maine as children - Realistic family interactions Readers disliked: - Slow pacing for modern attention spans - Length and complexity for younger children - Some found the second-person perspective confusing Ratings: Goodreads: 4.17/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (230+ ratings) Common reader comments: "Like taking a summer vacation in Maine through a book" "The storm sequence kept my kids on the edge of their seats" "Too long for bedtime reading" "My 4-year-old lost interest halfway through"

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey A mother duck leads her ducklings through the streets of Boston while citizens and police officers help protect their journey.

The Little Island by Margaret Wise Brown A kitten discovers the connections between a small island and the wider world through seasonal changes and visiting creatures.

One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey A young girl experiences a day of coastal life in Maine as she loses her first tooth and goes on errands with her father.

Island Boy by Barbara Cooney The story follows a boy's life from childhood to old age on a Maine island, capturing the rhythms of island living and maritime culture.

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney A woman fulfills her grandfather's wishes by traveling the world and planting lupines throughout her coastal Maine hometown.

🌊 First Caldecott Medal winner to use the second-person narrative style, directly addressing the reader as "you" 🎨 McCloskey spent several summers on his small boat in Maine, creating hundreds of preliminary sketches to perfect the book's watercolor illustrations 🏝️ Based on the author's experiences with his family on Little Deer Isle in Maine's Penobscot Bay, where they owned a summer home 🌪️ The hurricane depicted in the book was inspired by the devastating New England Hurricane of 1954, which McCloskey and his family experienced firsthand 📚 Published in 1957, this was McCloskey's second Caldecott Medal-winning book, following "Make Way for Ducklings" (1942)