Book of Hours is a contemplative meditation on the quiet beauty of everyday life. It is marketed as a picture book for ages 3+, but will strongly resonate with adult readers as it moves between joyful and melancholy snapshots of a woman’s journey from childhood to old age.

The text reads like a poem, with each spread offering enigmatic vignettes that open space for reflection and discussion. Days by the sea, nights under the stars, long journeys and short domestic moments, like doing the dishes or hanging out washing, carry equal weight in this exploration of what makes a meaningful life. Each of these examples is also shown from different perspectives: what a child sees on the beach is different from what an adult sees, feels, or remembers. The dreamy, lyrical text invites the reader to journey with the characters, and journey within.

The illustrations are framed, evoking photos, postcards, or paintings. They show a passage of time, with characters growing and ageing, without being clearly grounded in any specific era, giving the book wide appeal and longevity for reading relevance. In terms of visual literacy, there is much to explore in the illustrations, such as the mirroring of stars and small white flowers, and the ebbs and flows of tides – all enhancing the symbolism around the protagonist’s journey.

There are several ways to interpret the title. It reminds us that although life sometimes feels like it moves very quickly, it is in fact made up of tiny moments. Every hour is important. This could be worthy of discussion with young readers. Additionally, it harkens back to illuminated manuscripts from the Middle Ages known as books of hours. These were devotional works, containing prayers and psalms for daily recitation. Although McFadden’s book is not religious in nature, there are connections to be made with the idea of treating small moments with reverence.

This will be a book for bedtime, classrooms and giving on special occasions. It is celebratory, but equally very moving, so may be best shared in conversation with sensitive children.

Teacher Notes

Walker Books 2024

Clare McFadden