Tali and the Timeless Time
Written by Mira Z. Amiras • Illustrated by Chantelle & Burgen Thorne
About the Book
Tali loves spending time with her grandmother, her “Nona,” especially when they prepare traditional Sephardic Jewish dishes together.
But as they cook, Tali notices that her nona sometimes forgets things—calling her by her mother’s name or losing track of the meal they’re making. As Tali navigates these moments, she begins to understand Nona’s “Timeless Time,” where memories from the past and present come together in beautiful and complex ways.
Ideal for children ages 4-8, especially those experiencing a grandparent’s memory loss. A heartfelt story that opens up gentle conversations about aging and family connections. Beautiful illustrations bring to life the rich traditions and the love between a grandmother and granddaughter.
Tali and the Timeless Time poignantly and sensitively tells the story of a young girl’s empathy and curiosity about her grandmother’s confusion and memory loss. Perfect for children navigating a changing relationship with an aging family member, this heartwarming tale also centers on the importance of traditions that bind us together across time and generations.
Available in Hardcover and eBook
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Reviews & Praise
What is time and what does it mean? Is time only now or is it the past? What happens when a person is lost in time?
Tali loves to spend time with her nona as they prepare for the Sabbath, but her nona sometimes forgets what they were doing or even calls Tali by her mother’s name. But she remembers the old traditions and stories and wants to share them while she still can.
Their family is Sephardic and were banished from Spain long ago but still remember the ways of their people. The problems of ageing are a trial, but things still need to be shared with the younger people. Moving.
The illustrations by Chantelle and Burgen Thorne are intricate, brilliantly colorful, and fun. Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school, waiting room, or your local public library!
Jan
NetGalley
Tali and the Timeless Time is a story filled with empathy, compassion, curiosity, and love. As someone who has been a caregiver to an aging parent with dementia, this story touched my heart and left me feeling blessed that Amiras decided to create such a lovely story complemented by stunning artwork.
The blend of the author’s exquisite text alongside the rich and colorful artwork by Chantelle and Burgen Thorne is a stirring experience for young readers.
I highly recommend Tali and the Timeless Time to anyone with young children in their lives. It is a heartfelt, beautifully illustrated story that gently opens the door to meaningful conversations about memory, family, and love across generations.
Cheryl Malandrinos
Author