Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (what can you do with a rock) through Raincoast Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so
When my son was young he was fascinated by rocks. We had so many rock collections it was amazing. Small rocks, shiny rocks, big rocks (for painting on) and everything in-between. We still have a variety of rock collections. I’m sure in time I will either find a use for or I will return them to free roam in the wild from whence they came. 🙂 But if you have NO IDEA what to do with a rock “What Can you do with a rock?” will surely come in handy. I’d love to tell you all about it!
The Basics
Author Pat Zietlow Miller has produced a lovely story senstively illustrated by Katie Kath in what can you do with a rock?  40 pages of bright colours and a child having fun and the reader learning what you can do with the stones around your feet.  A Sourcebooks publication that is geared for young children. I am reviewing this advanced reader’s copy picture book on behalf of Raincoast Books.Â
What Did I find?
A story of connection. I expected to find a book that talked about rocks and things you can build or do, but I found more than that! I found connection, and considering the lives of others.  There is a gradual procession from learning what to do with a rock to considering the more.
Consider this… if you can think about the story of a rock and where it comes from, can you take the time to think about the story of people in your life?Â
But first the rocks!  I love the opening cover! 🙂 Don’t you just love the huge variety of rocks? I’ve collected some of these with my lad.  What a fun look back in memory!
Of course, one must consider that many people miss out on the joy of a good rock!Â
And then, for the enlightened, one must consider the many things you can do with a rock. From skipping stones, to making arts and crafts, to finding a rock to kick down a road, seeing where it will take you.Â
You must then learn the story of your rock. Be willing to share that rock’s story with others. As you go through the pages you’ll discover some wonderful illustration work by Katie Kath which provide fun talking points with your young readers.  What stories might those fish tell as they see a rock skipping past their heads?Â
Which of course will lead you into discovering the stories of the people in your lives. See… isn’t there so much to learn to from a rock? So many discoveries you can make…not only of the rocks themselves, but of the people surrounding you! So fascinating indeed!
So, should what can you do with a rock, be on your shelf?
Of course it should be!  What can you do with a rock is a delightful, full colour book that is beautifully illustrated. Not only do you learn some facts about rocks, but you see what you can do with them. I find the author clever in how she turns learning the story of a rock into learning the stories of the people around you.Â
How can you use this lovely tome?
As an introduction of any age group into rock collecting, or into seeing something with a different perspective. Who knows what imagination will fire once you help children to see something common, differently. You might inspire the next rock painting artist! Or help a child develop an interest in rock collecting and understanding the formation/geological make up on the eart better.  Northwest Treasures makes some excellent geological studies.Â
My girls would all have adored this book when they were younger. It looks just amazing. Rocks are amazing!
it is a well-done book.