Thirteen O'Clock [Hardcover]

James Stimson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2005 | Grade Level: P and up

This is the story of a very normal girl on an almost normal night in a fairly normal housenormal, that is, except for a not-so-normal clock whose numbers count not twelve but a spooky thirteen.

James Stimson's extraordinary book about the antics of a perky prankster in pajamas is a feast of words and pictures. Filled with sly wordplay, atmospheric illustrations, and a baker's dozen of spritely, spooky, spunky characters, it reminds readers that more fun than fright can be had from things that go bump, bong, groan, clatter, squeak, and gong in the night.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4–This is the tale of a small girl, a house filled with otherworldly creatures, and a clock that strikes the exceedingly eerie number 13! The well-delineated and detailed pencil illustrations, which are predominantly in black and white with touches of green, burgundy, rust, and gold, are intriguing, and the text–in a variety of typefaces and sizes–is innovative but the two together dont mesh into a real story. The shadowy pictures, which are Tim Burtonesque in style, would appeal to grade-school children but theres not enough of a plot to capture their interest. There is a rhyme scheme of sorts, but it doesnt flow easily and makes the book difficult to read. Also, the number 13 is unlikely to strike terror into the hearts of children as the author/illustrator presumes. Quirky and offbeat, this story is unlikely to find an audience.–Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI
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Review

"A film animator for James and the Giant Peach makes his children's book debut with this entertaining, deliciously quirky chronicle... Internal rhyme, alliteration and whimsical wordplay abound, making this poetic story a delight for wordsmiths and a rather hypnotic read-aloud for the younger set...Innovative designs and varied font sizes add to the fun of this offbeat offering." -Kirkus Reviews

"Whirling winds wail through the scenes, and plenty of typographical pyrotechnics-crooked typesetting, large and small fonts, and occasional hand-lettering-add visual punch. Stimson's free-associating free-verse and bold use of an eclectic, alliterative vocabulary ("Is it a peculiar pendulum with a precarious pivot?") make this a fine read-aloud choice-at any hour of the day or night." -Publishers Weekly

"With illustrations that'll remind adults of a Tim Burton animation, and prose that feels like Seuss from the dark side, Stimson's Thirteen O'Clock definitely isn't a rehash of pumpkin path lore or silly gore. Oh no. It's so much more." -South Florida Sun-Sentinel

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; 1st ed edition (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811848396
• ISBN-13: 978-0811848398
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,432,677 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "A skeleton with a skeleton's key...", October 15, 2005

By 

Luan Gaines "luansos" (Dana Point, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Thirteen O'Clock (Hardcover)

I love the illustrations in this book and its innovative concept: a quirky clock that actually chimes at thirteen, quite unlike the ordinary timekeeper, that only runs from one to twelve. Stimson's brilliant illustrations remind me of my favorite animated films, The Nightmare Before Christmas and James and the Giant Peach, with the eccentric faces of unusual characters that pop out at the chime of each hour: "a spiteful FRIGHT who would have seemed more at home with his name on a tombstone"; a skeleton with a skeleton's key to "unlock the odd clock's small door to free his MONSTROUS friend, the THING"; "four ghosts with frightening groans (in their stomachs)"; and "with each haunting clue there came another, more horticulturally hideous than the other".

With dense illustrations featuring lots of black, dark green and huge letters for emphasis, each page is filled with images as the clock unleashes a series of "things" and tongue-twisting alliterations, "hollow and echoey, and exceedingly eerie". This wildly imaginative book will delight anyone who appreciates oddball humor and the joy of language (even adults!), a vocabulary stretcher to trip the tongue and leave you laughing. My one criticism, and it is very minor, is that at times the type is difficult to read against the black page. But who cares? This book is a delight. Luan Gaines/ 2005.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem!, October 16, 2005

By 

Nhoj - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thirteen O'Clock (Hardcover)

The illustrations of Thirteen O'clock are enough of a reason to buy this darling of a book. In simple white, black and a shade of green, the scene comes to life in a marvelous way. A simple story that will have your tongue rolling in fun, and plant a smile on your face. A heart worming book that will set the stage for, what I hope will be, more books by Mr. Stimson.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quirky story that is well-written, January 7, 2008

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Thirteen O'Clock (Hardcover)

This story is quite quirky and has a ton of alliteration. It is fun to read and will definitely expand any kid's vocabulary.