"All the Rocks We Love" | Reviewed by Chris Stuckenschneider

It’s clear that rocks are solid favorites as the child on the cover of “All the Rocks we Love,” shows. She cradles several pretty ones in her hands, as carefully as newfound Easter Eggs.

Lisa Varchol Perron and Taylor Perron new picture book elevates rocks from their lowly position—investigates ways they can be used in play, details the characteristics of different kinds of rocks, and throws a bit of rock-history in too.

  Rocks are everywhere “…a world of possibilities…waiting on the ground.” So begins the book’s seek and find as children explore places that rocks call home.

“Rocks are good for gathering.” The prettiest rocks are often found in rivers, as two children discover, wading into clear water to picks up handfuls as their father looks on from his boulder perch. They’re also “excellent for stacking,” but be careful not to topple your tower, or “Oops!” you’ll have to “stack again.” Chalky rocks work great for decorating sidewalks and driveways, as a boy demonstrates, proud of his “swirly style.”

There’s nothing more fun than pitching rocks into the water. Most disappear to the bottom, but sometimes a special kind of rock with holes in it will float. Who knew pumice stones could keep their heads above water?

Rocks also can be used as noise makers, banging out a beat when two are clapped together. For a quieter activity, rocks can be sorted, classified and even shared—though it might be hard to part with the sparkly one you want for your collection.

Each rock detailed in this charmer is labeled and additional information on the rocks is included at the end. “I Love Rocks” has great visual appeal thanks to Artist David Scheirer’s ink and watercolor scenes, each two-page spread showing happy children at play, with rocks at center stage.

Whatever you do, don’t skip this crowd pleaser.

Buy the Book.