Books About Time · 270 titles considered

The Best Time Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about time? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

#1 in Series

#1 in Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Time

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$2849

Picture Book · Ages 8–11 · 2015

Timeline

By Peter Goes

Explore history's timeline from the Big Bang to future wonders.

80 pages

6.3/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 435 ratings

$29.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Embark on a vibrant journey through time, from the Big Bang to modern marvels. Discover dinosaurs, ancient civilizations, and mythical legends. Witness humanity's triumphs and trials, from castles to climate change. Each page invites young and old to explore global events with playful illustrations and insightful connections. What stories will you uncover in this tapestry of time?

Sale price

$2849

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2007

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

By Brian Selznick

A hidden life in a Paris station unravels with a cryptic message.

Caldecott Medal (2008)The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2007)National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist (2007)

533 pages· 24,938 words· Est. 3 hour read

6.0/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 191,352 ratings

$29.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Hugo, an orphan and clock keeper, hides within the walls of a Paris train station. His secretive existence is threatened when he encounters a mysterious toyseller and a curious girl. As a cryptic drawing, a stolen key, and a mechanical man come into play, Hugo must unravel a hidden message from his deceased father. Can he protect his secret and uncover the truth before it's too late?

Please Try to Remember the First of Octember!

Sale price

$958

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 1977

Please Try to Remember the First of Octember!

By Dr. Seuss, Art Cummings (Illustrator) · Beginner Books series

On Octember the First, all your wildest wishes come true. What will you wish for?

48 pages· 525 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

4.2/5 Goodreads · 3,531 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Hardcover

Summary: Imagine a day when every wish is granted. On Octember the First, dreams become reality, from balloon pools in the sky to pickle trees in your yard. Dive into a whimsical world where laughter and imagination reign. What would you wish for if anything were possible? This delightful tale invites young readers to explore the magic of wishes and the joy of dreaming big. With simple words and vibrant illustrations, it's a perfect adventure for early readers eager to discover the power of imagination.

Sale price

$2850

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2011

Ready Player One

By Ernest Cline · Book #1 in the Ready Player One series

In 2045, a virtual treasure hunt turns deadly as rivals vie for control of a digital empire.

480 pages· 132,733 words· Est. 12.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,338,461 ratings

$30.00Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In 2045, Wade Watts escapes his grim reality by immersing himself in the OASIS, a vast virtual world. When its creator dies, he leaves behind a series of puzzles promising immense wealth and control of the OASIS to the first solver. Wade cracks the initial clue, igniting a fierce competition with ruthless adversaries willing to kill for the prize. As the stakes rise, Wade must navigate a perilous quest filled with pop culture riddles and deadly rivals. Can he outsmart them and claim the ultimate prize, or will he become another casualty in this high-stakes game?

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2009

11 Birthdays

By Wendy Mass · Willow Falls series

Amanda's birthday repeats endlessly. Can she fix it before time runs out?

272 pages· 51,130 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 33,736 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Amanda's 11th birthday is a disaster, especially without her best friend, Leo. But when the day mysteriously repeats, she's trapped in a loop. Can Amanda mend their friendship and break free, or is she doomed to relive the worst birthday ever? Time, friendship, and a touch of luck hold the key.

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2009

January Joker

By Ron Roy, John Steven Gurney (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Calendar Mysteries series

A group of kids try to figure out what is happening when their friends and pets start disappearing.

96 pages· 6,871 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 1,337 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Bradley Pinto is convinced aliens have invaded Green Lawn after spotting strange lights and three-toed tracks. His twin, Brian, and friends Lucy and Nate are skeptical until their siblings mysteriously vanish. Are extraterrestrial forces at play, or is there another explanation? As the kids race to uncover the truth, they must solve the mystery before more disappearances occur. Can they find their missing friends and unravel the secrets hidden in their town?

Sale price

$1049

Chapter Book · Ages 7–12 · 1930

The Secret of the Old Clock

By Carolyn Keene · Nancy Drew Mystery Stories series

A young woman investigates the mysterious circumstances surrounding a wealthy man's death and the disappearance of his will.

192 pages· 34,724 words· Est. 5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 86,286 ratings

$10.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Nancy Drew faces a race against time to locate a missing will that could change everything. With the Topham family poised to seize an inheritance, Nancy must unravel the mystery of the old clock to help Mr. Crowly's friends. Will she succeed before it's too late? Dive into this classic mystery and join Nancy on her thrilling quest.

Sale price

$2133

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2005

Elsewhere

By Gabrielle Zevin

In a world where life runs backward, can Liz embrace a future she never wanted?

288 pages· 59,918 words· Est. 5.5 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 74,020 ratings

$22.45Save 5%

Library Binding

Summary: Fifteen-year-old Liz Hall finds herself in Elsewhere, a place where life moves in reverse. As she ages backward, Liz struggles with letting go of her dreams of turning sixteen, getting a driver's license, and going to college. Living with a grandmother she never knew, Liz must navigate this strange afterlife. Can she find meaning in a life lived backward, or will she forever yearn for the life she left behind? Discover a world where the past becomes the future and every moment is a chance to redefine what it means to live.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 1973

The House with a Clock in Its Walls

By John Bellairs, Edward Gorey (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Lewis Barnavelt series

A young boy discovers that his new home is haunted by a malevolent spirit and that he has the power to communicate with the dead.

179 pages· 38,975 words· Est. 5.5 hour read

3.7/5 Goodreads · 21,085 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Orphaned Lewis Barnavelt moves in with his mysterious Uncle Jonathan, only to discover a world of magic and danger. When Lewis accidentally resurrects a sinister sorceress, he unleashes a hidden clock capable of destroying humanity. With time ticking away, Lewis and his magical allies must unravel the secrets of the house to prevent catastrophe. Will they succeed before it's too late?

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2002

Feed

By M. T. Anderson

A hacker disrupts their feeds, sparking a fight against mind control.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2003)National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist (2002)

308 pages· 51,998 words· Est. 5 hour read

3.5/5 Goodreads · 69,262 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Titus's spring break on the moon turns chaotic when a hacker crashes their feeds, leaving him and his friends in a mental void. Enter Violet, a rebellious girl determined to resist the feed's grip on human thoughts. As they navigate a world dominated by corporate control, Titus must decide whether to join Violet's fight or succumb to the feed's influence. Can they challenge a system that knows their every desire, or will they be consumed by it? Discover a future eerily close to our own in this sharp, satirical tale.

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Time Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

Sturdy, inviting books about time for the youngest readers and listeners.

Sale price

$799

Kiss Goodnight

Ages 2–5 · 2017

Say goodnight to animals with soothing sounds in this bedtime board book.

Series

Sale price

$999

Chicken Soup with Rice

Ages 2–4 · 1962

Discover the joy of every month with whimsical rhymes and charming art.

Series

Sale price

$999

Frankie's Food Truck

Ages 0–3 · 2019

Discover the shapes of delicious foods at Frankie's Food Truck.

Series

Sale price

$795

Time for a Nap

Ages 0–3 · 2018

A busy toddler resists much-needed nap time. Will rest win?

Series

Sale price

$799

Hap-Pea All Year

Ages 2–4 · 2016

Join playful peas as they explore the months and seasons in a fun, rhyming journey.

Sale price

$595

How a Baby Grows

Ages 0–3 · 1998

Discover the comforting world of a baby through familiar objects and gentle rhymes.

Sale price

$799

Hello Lamb

Ages 2–5 · 2017

Wake up and greet the day with playful animal sounds.

Sale price

$2999

My Little Red Fire Truck

Ages 3–9 · 2009

Explore a fire truck's world while learning to tell time.

Sale price

$899

Wild Week

Ages 2–4 · 2016

Guess the animal's antics each day in this interactive journey.

Series

Sale price

$999

Friday Fun

Ages 2–4 · 2024

Celebrate Friday's joy with family, food, and community in this delightful board book.

Series

Sale price

$799

Baby's Day

Ages 0–2 · 2014

Explore baby's day with interactive touch-and-feel moments.

Series

Sale price

$695

Days of the Week

Ages 1–5 · 2015

Discover the world through a toddler's eyes with playful rhymes and vibrant photos.

View all time board books

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Time Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about time for preschool and elementary-age readers.

View all time picture books

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Time Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about time for developing and independent readers.

Sale price

$999

The Thief Lord

Ages 8–12 · 2000

Two brothers flee to Venice, pursued by a detective, uncovering a magical treasure that alters time.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1499

The Snowcat Prince

Ages 8–12 · 2021

A young prince must find a lost crown to break a kingdom's curse or face banishment.

Sale price

$1999

A Time to Keep

Ages 5–8 · 1977

Celebrate timeless holidays with family traditions and cherished memories throughout the year.

#13 in Series

Sale price

$599

New Year's Eve Thieves

Ages 6–9 · 2014

Four friends try to solve a mystery involving a stolen laptop and a suspicious couple in their town.

View all time chapter books

Keep exploring

Books about ancient civilizations Books about clocks and watches Books about codes, ciphers and puzzles Books about death, grief, and bereavement Books about Earth Books about hackers Books about helping others Books about imaginary places

Our 10 Favorite Books About Time

Great books, picked for their age.

Time Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

Time Picture Books

Time Chapter Books & Middle Grade

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