A Second Is a Hiccup: A Child's Book of Time

Some things are taught with a paper and pencil, like 1+1=2. But, some things have to be lived to be learned, like "How long is a second?" In this wonderful little book, the author poses each questions (How long is a second, minute, hour, day, week, and year?), and then answers it in a way that anyone would REALLY understand - A hiccup is a second, a kiss, a jump of the rope, or a turn around, etc. This is a very nice, gently educational book. I think that the author did a great job of making it really speak to the young reader. Also, I must say, I liked the cute illustration work. I highly recommend this book.

Hazel Hutchins' A SECOND IS A HICCUP tackles units of time with a difference, dividing them into ideas kids can readily absorb. From descriptions on what makes up a second's time to how long a day is, easy pictures and rollicking rhymes cover minutes, seconds and time in a manner even the youngest can easily understand.

I borrowed this from the library to read aloud (many times) to my two-and-a-half-year-old girl. It was a strange thing - I'm not usually sentimental, but every time I got to the final pages of the book, tears came to my eyes. To a child the simple lists might just be a literal description of how much can happen in a given time frame, but to this mom reading it aloud, it was a poignant reminder of how quickly the milestones pass. Seconds, then minutes, then hours, days and weeks are filled with activities and accomplishments. Before you know it a year has gone by - "...tiny babies learn to walk, bigger babies learn to talk." When the book ends with the assurance to the child that through all the time that passes "you will be loved, as surely as a second is a hiccup" maybe a lump will come to your throat, too. Educational, but also heartwarming.

Great book for teaching time and elapsed time. Wonderful story and lends itself well to launch an investigation about elapsed time.