When You Find the Right Rock

by Mary Lyn Ray, Felicita Sala (artist)

Somewhere a rock is waiting for you. One just the right size for playing with, or the right color for your windowsill, or just the right shape for holding in your palm.Maybe it is a rock from the heart of a mountain, that will remind you of how big YOU are inside, too. Maybe it is a rock washed by the sea, that knows all about the backs and forths and ups and downs of things. Maybe it is a small rock, just the right size to close your hand around, and know that the rock is with you, and it is just right.Poet Mary Lyn Ray and artist Felicita Sala offer an marvelous exploration of the special relationship children find with the natural world, and the fascination and friendship they find in special rocks.KIDS LOVE Whether it’s a special pebble for a pocket, or a colorful collection in a box, rocks offer a special kind of companionship, and a portable and lasting connection with the natural world. MINDFULNESS FOR Our connections with nature reduce stress and increase happiness and resilience. This book is an ode to the present-ness that we find in the natural world. NATURE FOR A love of the natural world is so easy to instill in kids, and it’s so rewarding--both intellectually and emotionally. Here is a wonderful reminder that when we see ourselves in nature, we end up in touch with our own depth, and texture, and lastingness.Perfect Parents, grandparents, and caregivers of children who love the natural world- Teachers and librarians looking for a poetic picture book on rocks and nature- Anyone who has found the secret joy of a special rock

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Childrens, Mental Health, Storytime, Geology, Kids

44 pages, Hardcover

First published September 17, 2024

About the author

Mary Lyn Ray is a conservationist and author of several picture books for children. She was born in Louisiana in 1946 and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas. Ray has lived in New England since 1964, when she first came east to attend college. She currently lives in a 150-year-old farmhouse in South Danbury, New Hampshire, which she restored herself.

Reviews

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rocks delight. A rock can be anything, and the right rock can be everything.

[Ileana (The Tiniest Book Club) · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Ein Stein für dich“ ist ein poetisches, herrlich illustriertes Bilderbuch über den richtigen Stein, der irgendwo auf uns wartet. Der uns sofort ins Auge fällt, genau in unsere Hand passt und genauso einzigartig ist wie jede*r von uns.

Es ist auch ein Buch über die Zeit, die sich sich unendlich dehnt, wenn wir sie mit der Suche nach so einem besonderen Stein verbringen. „Ein Stein für dich“ fühlt sich still an und warm, wie auf einem von der Sonne aufgewärmten Fels zu sitzen.

[Kätlin Kaldmaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous book to all of us who cannot live without stones. Especially to them tiny stone people. I do have to admit the stones are rarely present in adult literature. Except for the one Estonian novel where stones are treated with explosives. As they were in thise years of hopeless and stony agriculture.
Long live the stones! There’s a right one for everyone!

[Jessi Riel · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so good!! 😭

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book for readers 3-5 that emphasizes mindfulness in nature and finding a special relationship with just the right rock.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must love ROCKS!

[Alex Yetka · Rating 1 out of 5]

Given that my daughter is a fan of rocks, I thought this book would be a slam dunk. When I'm reading it, however, I feel like I'm having a stroke. The writing is disjointed and confusing to read. Artwork is colorful and fun, and I can appreciate the message I think the book is trying to convey, but my god, this is rough read.

[Cheryl]

Compared to Everybody Needs a Rock, a classic masterpiece it suffers, imo. On its own, or read first, it's much more appealing. I appreciate that it explores a bit more about other kinds of rocks besides pocket-sized ones. But I can't impartially rate.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was less about rocks and more about loving yourself that really went over my rock loving kids head

[Kayla Zabcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Because there's something about a rock that's good to have in a pocket."

teaching self-love, connection, and respect of nature through rocks? hell yeah!

[Adel Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

This speaks to my soul!

[Bec · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. Just from the cover, I was expecting some fun illustrations (and I wasn’t disappointed!), but with only a few words this book made me want to cry happy tears (just a little bit!)

It’s about rocks but equally about your place on this rock (Earth!) and a reminder to appreciate the world around you and yourself.

10/10 message, illustrations, and story <3

[Mother Goose Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

When You Find the Right Rock written by Mary Lyn Ray and illustrated by Felicita Sala is so much more than a story about different types of rocks. It’s also a story about finding the right rock as a metaphor for one’s connection to oneself. Beautiful artwork in rich hues and earthy tones complement the lyrical text. Illustrations were rendered in mixed media and collage. Be sure to enjoy the end pages of this stunning book. Whether you are searching for a small rock for your pocket or you are sitting upon a big rock, searching for just the right one is important. Color, shape, and size of rocks is presented. After reading this delightful picture book, give small rocks as story time souvenirs or go on a rock hunt.

[Casey Cogburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s true, I am pretty much a rock collector extraordinaire! One summer 2022, I walked down to our lake to find a heart shaped rock “heart found” I would call them - this book is like finding a very special rock - the ones that only God (who is solid as a rock) can make and I can observe! I have collected rocks in my pocket, my purse, my bike basket, brought them from the NP and in my luggage. From around the world! I love the feel, the solidity of matter in my hand. A gift from my God!
Rock on!?!
Also, written beautifully and the illustrations just add more beauty to the store☺️

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful, Ruth Krauss-style book celebrating the quiet strength in both nature and inside ourselves.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our little family of amateur rock hounds adored this book. There really is something special about finding rocks.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shades of A Hole Is To Dig. Felicita Sala's illustrations knit the narrative together for me and enchant, as ever. Themes of exploration, self reflection, and connection recur. Lovely.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up on a farm in NE Iowa with a river that ran below our house. I remember many weeknights and weekends going down to the river with my mom to look for rocks, agates specifically, as well as arrowheads. A rock bed is part of the landscaping around our home and I love finding special rocks to add to it, especially ones that remind me of a favorite place we traveled. We even added a large rock from a friend’s farm field to our front rock bed.

I wasn’t the kind of kid who carried a rock around in their pocket, but I know kids who do. Sometimes several rocks. WHEN YOU FIND THE RIGHT ROCK encourages a special connection to rocks and nature. Somewhere on your next adventure, there might be just the right rock waiting for you to climb, to sit next to, or to pick up and put in your pocket.

With poetic text, Ray describes the joy of climbing a rock or just sitting on a rock and taking in the view. She shares the joy of finding a special rock and compares it to noticing something special about yourself that maybe you hadn’t noticed before. Ray also encourages kids to find a special place to keep their favorite rocks. So, next time you are out and about, keep your eyes peeled for that special rock. You never know where you might spot one.

Sala’s illustrations are an ode to nature sharing the joy of climbing on rocks to the peace of sitting and thinking on a rock. She shares the great variety in colors and shapes of rocks and the joy of finding that special one to tuck in your pocket. This book will be a joy to read to any nature or rock-loving child.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely children's picture book, with illustrations in mixed media and collage by artist Felicita Sala. Full of muted colors and a grainy visual texture, it explores different sizes and shapes of the rocks children find in the natural world and then makes connections to their own world (the biggest rock!). I especially like how the author conveys that a rock might seem ordinary, but you can notice something special about it that reminds you of something unique that you know about yourself, and then keep that discovery in a special place (the illustration depicts a nightstand drawer full of rocks, but I thought of the reused shoe boxes where treasures from the outdoors were kept in my childhood).

Favorite line about a specific rock: "The most important may be the one that fits in your hand exactly. Somewhere it's waiting for you to find it."

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a true ode to the wonder of rocks. Big rocks, little rocks, medium sized and just special rocks.

I liked the idea of slowing down and saying hello to rocks because you may not notice a special one if you don't stop and take the time to look. Just like you might miss something special in yourself. Or forget that it is there.

It is also important to remember that all the rocks are important. The biggest mountains have smaller rocks that support them.

I think all kids love rocks at some point in their lives. While some may outgrow their rock fascination, others - like myself- still visit rock shops whenever they can. You never know when you will find just the right rock.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

A young girl interacts with rocks of different sizes and types.

This picture book celebrates rocks and depicts children's love of rocks.

The illustrations were done in mixed media and collage.

Readers who enjoyed this books A Stone Is a Story and Old Rock is not boring .

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

Kids love rocks and my kids are always insisting each one is special and needs to go in my pocket for safe keeping. This sweet book takes that beginning and expands it to the child, reminding them that unseen rocks and “ordinary” rocks are still always important and needed. It’s a simple and great way to help kids when they are feeling unseen, un-special, or lonely that they are still important, only undiscovered for a moment. A great book to learn resilience when one is on their own or for anyone who loves rocks and/or petrology.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a lover of rocks, I could not resist exploring this children’s book. I collect rocks from wherever I travel. I don’t label them but keep them in flower pots on my porch and in the garden. My grandchildren play with them and I tell them of my travels and why I chose that rock. This book gives purpose to why we should pay attention to the beauty and mystery and usefulness of rocks. I recommend.

[Libby Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felicita Sala is an illustrator who when I see her name on a book I will always read it. Her style is so unique and memorable. I’d had my eye on this one as a lover of rocks for a while and shared it with my STEM after school club at the library as an intro to starting a kindness rock garden. It set the tone nicely and really got the conversation rolling about our shared love of rocks.

There are deeper ideas about identity under the surface that could be explored with older readers too.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

People of all ages are fascinated by rocks and the premise of this thoughtful picture book is that there is no one way to think about and appreciate them. A wonderful book to share with little rock hounds before going on a nature walk.


"You see things differently
when you're sitting on a rock.

Some people might think you're doing nothing,
same as they might think a rock is doing nothing."

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a pretty and interesting looking book, from cover to cover. Talks about all the things to do with rocks. Climb then, hold them, stack them. There are kids who love their rock collections, and this is the book for them. There are also kids who hesitate to engage with the natural world, and this may be the book for them too.

[Emma Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throughout the book, the story discusses the many ways to appreciate different rocks. Each rock has its own purpose and should be appreciated in its own way. In the classroom, this book can be used to both emphasize the beauty of appreciating nature and to remind students that they are different from one another and they should appreciate that!

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children will love this tale that imparts the importance of each individual rock that they encounter. Some rocks are big, some are small. Each one can be important at different times.

This is such a great read as it accurately reflects children's absolute love of rocks and coming home each day with their pockets filled with their finds. Recommended.

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who still collects rocks, especially along beaches, this book is a quiet beauty that reminds readers that the act of seeking and observing rocks of all sizes, shapes, and colors, is a powerful mindful act that places one in the moment. Keeping that one special rock from a fun time can also bring back memories of the happy time spent when you found the rock.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love how they connect finding a rock, and the idea of a rock to the good feelings and thoughts you have about yourself. That you can be your rock in hard times. It was very well done, and subtle. Not sure kids will catch it, but they will get the idea that rocks can be important to us, and that we can keep them to remind of us special things, either ourselves or a memory.