The Book of the Clock (1920), illustrated by Margaret W. Tarrant and Nina K. Brisley, is a charming vintage children’s book that explores the magic and mechanics of time through whimsical stories, poems, and folklore. This anthology weaves together tales of clockmakers, enchanted timepieces, and personified hours, blending fantasy with gentle educational themes.
Tarrant’s signature ethereal watercolors—soft, dreamlike, and often featuring fairies or anthropomorphic elements—contrast delightfully with Brisley’s more structured, yet still playful, line drawings. Their combined artistry creates a visual rhythm that mirrors the book’s celebration of time’s passage, from sun-dappled mornings to starlit nights.
Published in the golden age of illustrated children’s literature, this book reflects early 20th-century nostalgia for pastoral innocence and mechanical wonder. It’s a lesser-known gem but a treat for collectors of Tarrant’s work (like The Children’s Book of Prayer) or Brisley’s Milly-Molly-Mandy series.
For Fans of This Book, Try:
- The Story of the Amulet by E. Nesbit (illus. H.R. Millar) – Time-travel adventures with Edwardian flair.
- The Clockwork Twin by Walter R. Brooks – A playful mechanical-themed tale.
- The Magic Wood by Henry Treece (illus. Alan Howard) – Poetry with a similar lyrical, nature-infused tone.
A nostalgic ode to time’s enchantment—ideal for illustrators and vintage book lovers.
