TALKING ROCKS AND MINERALS: A Winner in Nonfiction!

GROSSET & DUNLAP, 2025

Summer. 

It's the perfect season for outdoor life, including ROCK COLLECTION! It takes very little to spark an interest in that activity for kids, but TALKING ROCKS AND MINERALS: A Fact -Packed Guide to Geology will be invaluable for any kid. Written by Paige Towler and illustrated by Matthen Carson, this one will win hearts and heads of rock-loving folks of any age.

 Kids will love this lively take on a favorite topic-- rocks and minerals! In this case, intrepid little reporter, PEBBLE, carries the info-rich text from page to page and right into the eyes and hearts of readers. I mention those eyes because they are so effective-- sometimes simple dots or lines, sometimes very-much GOOGLY-eyed, and other times side-eyed or otherwise full of expression. Regardless, it allows the illustrator to achieve a very comic-like impression while actually rendering precisely-detailed examples of rocks, minerals, processes, and more accurate, integrated content. 

Labeled images start the work of text, adding short statements within image boxes then slightly longer narratives, as needed. This combination allows for accessible reading and acquiring essential facts without overwhelming. Processing time matters, especially when young audiences are so enthused and leap to conclusions. (I know I do, even though I'm far from YOUNG).This text approach, as snippets and labels and brief statements, allows time to examine, to reread, to think and connect.

This combo of user-friendly text and visual appeal also invites repeated readings with acquiring  even more info each time, from text and visual content. It is so easy to miss slight references and puns on a first read, ones that reveal themselves through repetition. Back matter includes a glossary (again, content is accessible), as well as activity ideas, useful resources for more information, and a brief but fun note from a marine geologist!

This blend of factual content, asides, puns, and figurative language make a wealthy resource for language development, too. Kids vary their  interests, of course, but rarely does a child walk past a colorful or intricately shaped rock without stopping to handle it, to peer closely, to wonder (internally or aloud) and likely to "save". This book at home, library, or classroom will be a bonus to any rock collector's shelf.