Welcome to my website!
I'm Elspeth Benton, author of Crucial Time.

Advance Praise for Crucial Time
Benton masterfully weaves together the travails and tragedy of an African family, enmeshed in Zimbabwean politics, with the daily routines of a Southern California child development center confronting a murder and kidnapping. It works as a mystery. The uniqueness is in the portrayal of the director of the child care center as a caring professional and a master sleuth. A compelling story. Belle Cole and David Wilson

Set in a California Child Development Center, this story of a young African family's struggle in a strange new culture will absorb early childhood educators and mystery lovers alike. Marian Cushman, former child development center director

From the discovery of a dead bunny to a fatal bicycle "accident" involving a Zimbabwean family in the child care center, Hannah, the center's director, acts and refl ects and responds caringly to her staff and parents, musing all the while on the challenges of providing quality care to young children in a diverse and changing, and sometimes dangerous, world. Elizabeth Jones, Faculty, Human Development, Pacific Oaks College, Pasadena, California

A mystery for ECE professionals who care deeply about young children and enjoy fiction with a twist of international intrigue. Crucial Time, set primarily in a preschool-child care center, is a tale with many layers. Nancy Richard, author of "A Small Steadying Sail of Love"

In this story of kidnapping and betrayal, as well as love, early childhood educators will recognize the complexity of forces within their day care centers, which they must face on a daily basis. Pauline Crabb, former teacher and college administrator

Ms. Benton knows the worlds of child day care and academia well and has woven an engrossing tale from the many strands. We were thoroughly entertained and educated about Early Childhood Education in one fell swoop. It can't get better than that! Janet and Casey Howell

An original work that reminds us just how much can change in an instant. Into a new and confusing setting of a different country, comes a young family from Zimbabwe. Set in a children's pre-school around the disappearance of a small boy, politics and personalities play out in inventive details. Carolyn Carpenter, former teacher

Early Childhood Education in Pasadena, the troubles in Zimbabwe and a mysterious death are all woven together in this intriguing narrative by this talented storyteller. The varied interests of a diverse cast of memorable characters are skillfully portrayed to make this an enjoyable read, but disturbing as well—the author's clear intention. Barbara Flynn, former teacher

Long a trusted bulwark in the crucial time of life of "babies to 4's", a multicultural child development center swings its staff, parents and children into action against a darkness creeping closer as time rushes on. The earnest director is the unlikely sleuth in this suspenseful story. Helen Berg