Sometimes we take the most obvious things for granted. Like rocks, for instance.  A Rock Can Be by Laura Purdie Salas and illustrated by Violeta Dabija (Millbrook Press, March 2015) shows all the ways that rocks are an important part of our world.Â
This book struck me as so interesting because when I read this book, I also had the picture book Sylvester and the Magic Pebble William LeSteig, in which (spoiler) Sylvester the goat found a magic pebble and in play wished himself to be a rock, only to be stuck like a rock for a long time. It’s kind of a joke. “She’s sitting in front of the TV like a rock.”
And yet, Ms. Salas created a fun poem about all the things that rocks are and what they do for us, and what we use them for. At the end of the book, she’s provided explanations about all the things she discusses in brief in the rest of the book, as well as a glossary of terms for those that may be unfamiliar to a young reader. I know I’ve said it before, but I love fun books that also have an educational undertone! This would pair well with the rock alphabet book I enjoyed before too.
I liked how the poem only gave a few words per page, because then the illustrator’s fun illustrations had plenty of space to expand. Highly recommended.
Note: I received a digital copy of the book from the publisher for review consideration.
