"Pocket Full Of Rocks" | Reviewed by Chris Stuckenschneider

The offerings of each season become special gifts to a child who treasures the bounty of nature in “A Pocket Full of Rocks,” by Kristin Mahoney.

The round-faced child with big brown eyes can’t pass up rocks he finds on a winter’s day, despite the fact that mom says “…rocks are making your coat dirty.” And dad thinks the rocks will take up space needed for “…your other mitten.”

The imaginative child has more plans for the rocks than just serving as eyes for a snowman the kids are building. The stones will make chairs for the fairies that form a ring and live in the forest. He knows they like them as he watches the fairies in secret from behind a big rock. They are delighted!  

With the arrival of spring, practicality is again put on the back burner when the child searches out something new to add to a jar holding some of his rocks. The trees and flowers are heavy with blossoms, and petals call—you can do a lot with “A pocket full of petals.” Even though mom tells you “…they will wilt. And… dad will warn…they’ll get lost in the laundry.” The clever child knows the petals will make a fine covering for the fairies to ward off any chill that might descend. Later he discovers another lovely use for the blooms.

Summer and fall follow, and the child finds more of nature’s gems until his big jar is layered with riches, but not for long. The found objects end up becoming gifts for loved ones. The very people who doubted the child’s wisdom become benefactors in a book that reminds us to heed the wisdom of children.

Expressive illustrations by E.B. Goodale add to the appeal of this endearing story.

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