One of our young readers, Vaidehi Srinivasan, pens her thoughts about A Time for Ebby, an empowering chapter book authored by Poile Sengupta.

“Time is never young
Time is never old
Time is never still
Time you cannot hold.”

In the old town of Nimish, the Ebon family has made its name in clockmaking. Their world-renowned Grandfather Clocks, hand-crafted by highly-skilled workers, are treated like treasures by those who own them. With the tradition of clockmaking having been passed down eight generations of men, the eighth Father Ebon is keen on carrying it on even further. Nonetheless, he cannot, due to an unavoidable hindrance.

Seeing his sadness, his daughter, Ebby, is determined to find a solution to his problem.

Throughout Poile Sengupta’s book, A Time for Ebby, the reader follows her in her attempts to help her father, learn about her family’s history, and understand her place in this world as a young girl. Sengupta’s bold, rich writing is perfectly complemented by Shaunak Samvatsar’s intricate illustrations, creating a magical story that shines.

This book should be on the shelves of young children everywhere, as it simply yet powerfully teaches the reader the importance of empathy, determination, and equality. The ability of Sengupta and Samvatsar to connect the reader to a new town, ensemble of characters, and valuable set of lessons, all in just 39 pages, is nothing short of remarkable.

Vaidehi is a Grade 11 student from Bombay International School.