I was that kid who liked looking at rocks. Not geodes (though I had a few) or anything special, I just liked rocks. I figure it was the shapes, and colors (though I’m sure my family would say they matched the ones in my head). I have always been a visual person. When older I liked crystals (hey! It was the 90’s… for those who were there, you get it), but never got into the science of rocks. Not until I was much older was it that I realized how cool they really could be, and I’m Trying to Love Rocks by Bethany Barton is one of those reasons.
Sure, I had known rocks were cool well before this picture book, but the humorous information given and the just plain, straightforwardness of it was what caught my eye and kept me going. We learn about the rocks and all the goodies that are in between from the Grand Canyon, to diamonds, to fossils. The facts pack the pages and are accessible to multiple ages. Geology is so much fun you can write a book about it and Batton did! Rocks do not just sit around, but they have a life (sort of) of their own.
I like how this can work for the child/reader who is not really “science based” and still able to be interesting to “science based” readers as well. The package is aimed at kids, but adults will appreciate the colors, the details, and the non-realistic realism of things. This is a book that could get kids reading and stay reading. And maybe, allows them to want to learn more.
I will be keeping my eyes open to see if Barton has other gems for us.