Martian Rock

by Carol Diggory Shields, Scott Nash (Illustrator)

When their curiosity got the best of them, this group of courageous explorers set off into outer space to get answers to their many questions, yet after arriving on planet Mars, they learned much more than they expected.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Space, Aliens, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Carol Diggory Shields was inspired to write Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp after "being called a Nagosaurus by my five-year-old," she admits. "I started playing with the idea of partying dinosaurs who were scientifically accurate (more or less), and somehow in the prehistoric ooze of my brain, Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp took shape." Her rocking prehistoric party proved a hit with both young readers and critics. "Witty and imaginative, the poem has a rhythm that makes cumbersome multisyllable dinosaur names roll off the tongue," said Kirkus Reviews.
Currently a children's librarian, Carol Diggory Shields has also worked with children as a recreational therapist and at one time was a designer of stuffed toys. Her years of being around children have no doubt helped her get a feel for the fun-but-factual stories that kids love, told in animated verse with an infectious beat. After successfully collaborating with illustrator Scott Nash on Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp, she teamed up with him for Martian Rock, "the true story of how a meteorite from Mars arrived on Earth," she quips.
More recently, the pair worked together again on The Bugliest Bug, a wacky tale of an insect talent contest threatened by hungry spiders (disguised as judges) and a brave little Damselfy who saves the day. "Insects are awesome!," the author enthuses. "Every human invention, from catapults to jet propulsion, had already been invented and used by bugs for millions of years. And that's why to be 'bugly' is the ultimate compliment."
The author of several books for children, Carol Diggory Shields lives in northern California.

Reviews

[Rhiannon Hancox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, a fiction story mixed in with non-fiction aspects. The story is great to follow along and the pictures are wonderful. But the most amazing thing for me was the elements of fact and truth about planets and some of their properties (such as moons, colour or temperature) that was brought into the story in interesting and meaningful ways. A great book to introduce a space topic and the last page has more information on the planets. Highly recommend!

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I end up reading this to my daycares kids almost 4 times a day.. they love it!! And it’s such a fun way to teach students about the planets in a cheerful way. This book goes through each planet and it’s characteristics plus whether or not the planet has life. At the end, it goes through each planet and gives more detail on it, which I think is really cool. This book is a good one to build a lesson around!

[MeganRuth - Alohamora Open a Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great rhythm as you travel through the planets of the universe. Cute fun story that could work with Penguinaut b/c they both involve space and penguins.

Storytime- only Family Storytime b/c it's a touch longer. You could probably take some planets aka pages out of the read aloud.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A group of Martians looking for life on the different planets in the solar system make a surprising discovery just as they are about to give up. The south pole provides ample entertainment.

End notes give information on the planets of the solar system.

[Mason, Natalie & Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story about some martians from Mars who travel to all the "Orbs" (planets) in the Milky Way. They try all the planets and find no life, until they land on Earth. It's a cute story, easy to read, but at the same time, it teaches the kids a little bit about the solar system. In the back there is information about each Orb/planet and it is the more "technical" information about what the martians from Mars found.

[Chris Go · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was published back in 1999 when Pluto was still a planet. At the end of the book there is a brief blurb about all of the planets and a few extra tidbits.

The book itself is pretty sweet. The story is told in verse. I could be wrong, but it sounded a lot like "The Night Before Christmas". It has been too long since I've studied iambic pentameter and all that.

Great illustrations too. Lots of color and emotion.

[The Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Martians set out to see if there's any other life out there in the solar system. They tour the planets (including Pluto which was still classified as a planet at the time) and begin to lose hope. They finally arrive on earth, but at the south pole. Luckily, there on the horizon, a life form waddles into view.

Really great illustrations and awesome way to introduce all the planets to little kids.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book if you are teaching your kids about the solar system

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

it helps you learn about the planets and it is really cute

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute and educational!

[Elle Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, so cute! Great for reading during an outer space unit.

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice introduction to our solar system and the characteristics of the planets and the sun.

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clever, entertaining trip through the solar system for kids... in search of martians.