Rocks in My Pockets

by Marc Harshman, Bonnie Collins, Toni Goffe (Illustrator)

The rocks around their mountain farm serve all of the Woods family in many ways, both utilitarian and recreational, until the day two ladies from the city come to visit. The Woods family lived on the top of a windswept mountain. Their farm was on old rocky soil, and they made their living the best they could. They raised knee-high corn, walnut-sized potatoes, but you'd hear no complaints from them. Their house was drafty, their animals skinny, their clothes patched. But one thing they had was pockets, and in their pockets they carried rocks. Yes, rocks. They were very important. They carried rocks to keep from being blown away; they played games with them; they'd worry them; and they wrapped them in heavy socks, after heating them by the fire, to keep warm at night. But early one summer day, the rocks proved to be more important than all these things and changed life forever for the Woods family. An amusing tale of resourcefulness and honesty. "A subtle but beguiling message about values, packaged in an offbeat, entertaining tale." - Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 10, 1991

About the author

Marc Harshman is the poet laureate of West Virginia, appointed by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin in May 2012. His poems have appeared in such publications as Shenandoah, The Georgia Review, The Progressive, Appalachian Heritage, Bateau, and Fourteen Hills. Other poems have been anthologized by Kent State University, the University of Iowa, University of Georgia, and the University of Arizona.

His eleven children's books include ONLY ONE, a Reading Rainbow review title on PBS TV and THE STORM, a Junior Library Guild selection and Smithsonian Notable Book Parent's Choice Award recipient. Booklist has called this same title "a knowing book that will speak to all children about self-image and hard-won success."

Mr. Harshman was honored in 1994 by receiving the Ezra Jack Keats/ Kerlan Collection Fellowship from the University of Minnesota for research of Scandinavian myth and folklore. He was also named the West Virginia State English Teacher of the Year by the West Virginia English Language Arts Council in 1995. More recently, he was named the recipient of the WV Arts Commission Fellowship in Poetry for the year 2000 and the Fellowship in Children's Literature for 2008. His children's titles have been published in Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Danish, and Swedish.

Marc is fondly known by many as a storyteller who served for over twenty years as a judge for the WV Liar's Contest held at the Vandalia Gathering in Charleston, WV. He has also served as an instructor for the historic Appalachian Writer's Workshop at the Hindman Settlement School in Hindman, KY.

Marc holds degrees from Bethany College, Yale Divinity School, and the University of Pittsburgh. He recently received an honorary doctorate from Bethany College in recognition of his life's work.

In honor of West Virginia's Sesquicentennial, Marc was commissioned by the Wheeling National Heritage Area to write a poem celebrating this event. This poem, "A Song for West Virginia," was presented in both Charleston and Wheeling as part of the day-long festivities held that day.

Reviews

[Simon Jongekryg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rocks in my Pockets is a very interesting read about a family who lives on top of a hill where the wind always blows. There the family uses rocks to do a variety of things like hold themselves to the ground, or heat up their beds. One day wealthy people discovered their rocks and saw just how beautiful they could be. Suddenly these rocks were being sold to everyone far and wide. This story really shows the importance of making something out of nothing and never getting too down on yourself for the obstacles that are in front of you. Instead the family found a simple solution to their problem and made the best out of it. Overall, this was a very fun read for younger-middle age students and was a strange concept that took me by surprise when I first read the book.

[Johnny Childers · Rating 4 out of 5]

The core of this tale comes from my co-author, a true Appalachian storyteller, Bonnie Collins. Having shared the storytelling stage at the Vandalia Gathering (West Virginia's premier folk life celebration), where we also judged the state liar's contest, Bonnie has been both friend and inspiration. Several years ago, my wife and I were asked to interview Bonnie for "Goldenseal" magazine.

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soo cute! As a child I’ve always have rocks in my pocket- my treasures of the day. I do so less often now but this book brought back fond memories and wishes of making joy out of the rocks in my pockets.

[Amanda_DJ n' Zac · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one we found on our book shelf... no idea where it came from. lol But it was cute to read and just knowing that DJs mind was trying to figure out why the rocks were in their pockets all the way through to the end made it even better. :)

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marc Harshman is a WV author, and I have read most of his books, but this one is my favorite, I think.

[April Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to read to students about the value of money. This family starts off poor. Then, they sell their rocks and begin to make money. However, they still stay true to who they are.