Title: If You Find a Rock
Author: Peggy Christian
Illustrator: Barbara Hirsch Lember
Age Group: 3-6
Synopsis: A soft exploration that opens up the eyes of everyone who’s ever picked up a rock.
The Lowdown:
Bug gets his rock collecting tendencies from his father. At this stage, he just likes collecting. After coming home with a rock in each hand and more weighing down his pockets we had to institute the rule that most rocks needed to stay with their friends. Otherwise we might end up overrun. But I still ooh and ahh over his finds, for they are little treasures and the additional meanings that are described in If You Find a Rock make them that much more special.
The book slightly resembles an encyclopedia of rocks. But it is the type of encyclopedia that a child would treasure. Speaking directly to the reader, the narrator gently explains the difference the characteristics of the rocks and what those than imply. A smooth, rounded, flat rock is obviously a skipping rock that can go dancing across the water. While a rock with a stripe running all the way round it is a wishing rock that you whisper to before tossing it gently away. Tiny pebbles are sifting rocks and large rocks stretching across a creek are jumping rocks. The premise would become quite tedious, quite quickly if it wasn’t for the truly loving and gentle way in which the information is passed on. Like a mother whispering the secrets of the world to her child. It’s a book about rocks and yet it is still moving.
The illustrations are not, as you can tell illustrations at all and instead are a series of photographs. I love photography in general but I have to say I shy away from picture books that feature it. Drawn illustrations seem to offer a greater ability to reach into the imagination. However, Barbara Lember does a beautiful job with many of the photographs in this book and additionally hand tints the black and white photographs she takes. It seems to work here. Because here the photographs are all children and they are all playing with the rocks that are featured. It gives context in a beautifully understated way that works to make a very cohesive and enjoyable read. 
My mother gave this book to Bug last year. And as we don’t get to see her often (a 9 hour plane ride can get quite pricey and tedious), this book adds another layer of her in our lives. I am a firm believer that having small occasional remembrances of the people we love is such a wonderful gift. If I find a one cent piece on the street I always think of my father or if I see a crow, my middle sister. They’re small, ordinary pieces that make our lives shine with small glimmers of love and specialness. And that’s what If You Find a Rock ultimately does. It adds wonderful glimmers of specialness into the lives of those who read it and then view their world in a slightly different way. And for Bug, well, I know that whenever picks up a rock with a white line running through it he’ll forever think of his Nonnie.
Story Tips:
- Read this as if imparting a secret upon the reader. Softly and with simmering excitement.
- Go for a rock walk after (or before) and discuss what kind of rocks you find. Bring the book along for reference if you like.
I need more!
I’ve not read any other books by Peggy Christian but her title The Bookstore Mouse looks interesting (she had me at bookstore). For more about her and her work go to: http://www.peggychristian.com/
Barbara Hirsch Lember also did the photography for The Shell Book. For more information regarding her work via good ol’ Google, as she doesn’t appear to have a website.
I love this post. Thank you for sharing