Everybody Needs a Rock

by Byrd Baylor, Peter Parnall (Illustrator)

Everybody needs a rock -- at least that's the way this particular rock hound feels about it in presenting her own highly individualistic rules for finding just the right rock for you.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Science, Nature, Poetry, Geology, Art

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Byrd Baylor has always lived in the Southwest, mainly in Southern Arizona near the Mexican border. She is at home with the southwestern desert cliffs and mesas, rocks and open skies. She is comforted by desert storms. The Tohono O’odham people, previously known as the Papagos, are her neighbors and close friends. She has focused many of her writings on the region’s landscape, peoples, and values. Through her books of rhythmic prose poetry, written primarily for children, she celebrates the beauty of nature and her own feelings of rapport with it.
Byrd has written many books for children.

Her books have been honored with many prestigious children’s book awards, including the Caldecott Award and the Texas Bluebonnet Award. All of her books are full of the places and the peoples that she knows. She thinks of these books as her own kind of private love songs to the place she calls home.

Reviews

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this is a wonderful nostalgic book for adults who collected rocks when they were kids; I’m one of them. And, some kids who enjoy the natural world might appreciate it because it stresses their autonomy in the pursuit of choosing a rock of their very own. I also like how the girl stresses play with her rock can be more fun than playing with the kinds of things that have to be purchased. (Although I do remember buying some rocks and well as finding rocks.)

The pictures are highly unusual and I really enjoyed them. They’re all in tans, blacks, whites, and the style is so interesting, and I particularly liked the pictures within other pictures.

The instructions the girl gives, even though she gives some leeway to the reader, I find both appealing and unappealing. Some of what she says is just lovely, but the idea of giving specific instructions for this activity, an activity that’s joyful, in part, because everybody has a different way of doing it and different things of importance about it and about their rock(s), well, that part didn’t work for me that well.

[Mir]

Calm and meditative instructions to find a special rock paired with oddly creepy illustrations make up this not-really-a-story.

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[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Creepy pictures verging on body horror and a list of nonsensical rules about choosing a rock. Huh? Whyyyyyy?

I guess I don't need a rock.

Also, the author is a white woman, but her author photo (from 1974?) looks like she is trying to dress as a Native American, which, um, no.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Granted, the two-tone illustrations from a book published in 1974 are probably not going to engage today's kids. But the text remains fantastically fresh and exciting. Read it, especially to a group of kids before going on a hunt for the perfect rocks for them. "The size must be perfect. It has to feel easy in your hand when you close your fingers over it. It has to feel jumpy in your pocket when you run. Some people touch a rock a thousand times a day. There aren't many things that feel as good as a rock--if the rock is perfect." Charming, magical, and kid-like.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young rock enthusiast explains her (?) love of rocks and the special connection that can be enjoyed when one finds just the right rock. She then gives ten rules to find the perfect rock for yourself.

I really appreciated the thoughtful nature of the book, how one should pay attention to the little things, listen to oneself and not what others tell you, and that something in nature can mean so much if we take the time to appreciate it; and the illustrations were very unique and interesting. But, overall, I just didn't feel a connection to the book like I felt I would/should.

[Sharon Barrow Wilfong · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise is good. Small children love rocks. My son would fill his pockets with them when we went for walks. When he ran out of room, he gave me rocks to hold.

But I really don't get all the requirements made in this book for finding the perfect rock. I don't think it captures the imagination of a child. It's like an adult presuming what a child should think or do.

And the illustrations were not appealing.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you know a geologist or another rock hound with children, they must have this delightful story that outlines the ten rules for choosing your perfect rock companion.

Reading the steps reminds me of my childhood scrounging for rocks in various National Parks. And knowing that my nieces and nephew have read this book explains a great deal about their rock obsession.

The illustrations are minimalistic. A few really drew me into the story. For instance, I loved the aerial view of a bathtub with a sole rock placed at the bottom of the tub. And the illustration of a child's head using smell to intuit where the rock came from reinforces the message that children have a special relationship with their rock. However, a few of the illustrations were a bit bland or even scary. A few of the eyes on the people seemed a little creepy to me.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Teri Lesesne, for suggesting this book on your blog! I had never heard of this short book, but now that I've read it, I doubt that I will be able to forget it. While it can certainly be read literally about the joys of hunting for rocks, following ten tips, and finding one that you want to save, I also liked the symbolism contained in the book--the idea that everyone needs something solid to hold onto during the tough times and that no one else needs to consider your rock to be something special--only you do! The text and illustrations are gentle but effective reminders about taking time to notice the things that matter.

[Laura-marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book speaks to me because I really need a rock also. Rocks comfort me and are really good for my happiness and well-being. The heaviness, realness, reliability, ancientness, solidity, beauty. The rules the speaker gives for choosing a rock are very funny. I like the idea of choosing a rock on your own, something about independence. It's very validating for people who love rocks and did even more as a kid. Rocks come from the Earth and are amazing. I'm totally in favor of this book.

[Karl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baylor and Parnall collaborate on another book. This creative team just doesn’t jibe with my sensibilities. The art is drab and uninspired. The writing is OK, more poetic prose than anything. This was mishelved at my school under First Nations because I see no indigenous content or tribal reference.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange and true.

I could see it pairing well with the more recent STARS by Mary Lyn Ray.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't let the cover fool you. This book is way cooler than it looks. It's a picture book--read it to your kids!

[Amara · Rating 1 out of 5]

The illustrations in this are creepy. Also, this book is for parents who just cannot with their kids one day. Give them this book, and this book convinces them they MUST have a rock, no. No. Not that one. It should be shiny. No, not just shiny, but blue. Not just shiny and blue, but square. And so on.

So basically, a kid goes around and searches for the perfect rock all day.

I'm sure this went over really well when I was a kid, and we were kicked out of the house all day. But now? Where would kids find any rocks, let alone enough rocks to find the perfect rock.

[Nicole Bryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: There is a girl who has a rock and she explains 10 rules to follow for finding our own special rock.
Reflection: I'm not crazy about this book. I don't care for the pictures because you really have to look and figure them out. I don't think this book would hold the attention of young kids.
Use in Class: This book could be used to help build visual literacy because you have to really look at the pictures. This is also a good numbers book because it goes from 1-10. Could also be used to introduction to rules for little kids because we could follow her rules and everyone find a rock then introduce classroom rules and the importance of following them.

[Lauren]

Good reads goal here I come😍

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine. Nothing worth noting

[Robyn Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for appreciating The Rabbit Hole more completely.

[Buzzkill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I agree, everybody needs a rock

[Hassan Sarikhani · Rating 4 out of 5]

داستانی برای کودکان ریش دار و بی ریش که در چند دقیقه قابل خواندن است. آموزشی بنیادین در حجم چند صفحه.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know I have a copy of this book somewhere,
I am just not going to put in the effort to find it....
borrowed from the LIBRARY!

I had to find after reading "If you find a Rock"

There are 10 rules for finding a rock....

Worth a re-read

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: A young girl in the desert southwest tells us that everyone needs a rock for a friend. She then proceeds to give us ten whimsical, yet serious, rules for finding our own special rock to keep--"maybe forever."

The first time I read this book I was focused on the prose and the connection I felt with the girl and her feelings about rocks. In following readings I enjoyed this 'visit' to the desert southwest--a cousin to my geographical/spiritual home on the western high plains. I have a special rock--do you?

Parnall uses pen and ink line drawings to effectively extend and enhance Baylor's well-voiced prose--whimsical seriousness. Together they communicate the theme of solitude in a special place. Each illustration (except the final page) is a two page spread accompanying one narrow column of Baylor's prose. (There are surprises here!) Using space and non-geometric shapes, Parnall evokes the natural environs and place of the desert southwest. Color is minimal (shades of bronze) and strategically used to create life and warmth, to focus our eye, and to convey emotion.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? Rocks are some of my favorite people :)
Such a simple story line and such simple illustrations created a complex response in me when I found another Byrd Baylor book I had to own. First page:
"Evberybody needs a rock.
I'm sorry for kids who don't have a rock for a friend.
I'm sorry for kids who only have TRICYCLES BICYCLES HORSES ELEPHANTS GOLDFISH THREE-ROOM PLAYHOUSES FIRE ENGINES WIND-UP DRAGONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT-- if they don't have a rock for a friend." Then this appealing, unnamed desert girl gives 10 rules for finding your own rock.
Parnall's line drawings are fabulous. And the meaning I find behind the simplicity of story and art, is that you don't have to have an elephant; a rock is just as good a possession/playmate. It provokes one to take a second look at what brings enjoyment.

[Trace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this book up till now. We've own this book for a good many years. We reread it from time to time because its just fabulous and it makes you feel that all is right with the world. It's one of our very favorites and most beloved.
My son loves rocks and there was a time when his pockets were NEVER without a rock or two... I miss those days.

Yesterday we visited the rock and gem exhibit at our local nature museum and it caused him to rekindle his love for his rock collection, he brought it out - and this book was right next to it -where it's resided for the last 7 years or so... We reread it again this evening. And everytime we finish reading it - we always agree that we feel sorry for those people (young and old) who have not read this book.... everyone needs to because Everybody Needs a Rock.

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everybody Needs a Rock is a great book for many ages, but I specifically like this book for 2nd grade and learning about the characteristics of rocks are part of the curriculum. Although this book is about finding a Pet Rock, I plan to read this book to the 2nd graders in my home base classroom as a way to create a connection their unit in Science. I have noticed that most children want to keep the rocks they are experimenting with in the classroom, but after this book the class could take a walk outside and find their own rocks or the teacher can buy two bags of decorating rocks for $2.00 to give to the children (which is my plan). I also love the simple line drawings in the illustrations.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everybody needs a rock? Well, yes, that is true. The verse was the highpoint of this book for me, structured around the ten rules for landing the ideal rock. Those who know me know that I must have my own rules for gathering rocks and stones, but I probably ignore some of the main character's practical ones by including the smallest and unnecessarily-large ones. The drawings might have served well in 1974, but they seem dated and a bit flat, although they are very minimalist. Multiple readings only imprint the book further for me and makes me appreciate my assortment of rocks, including my current pocket rock. Read 12/6/12 and 6/31/14 and 1/30/16.

[Sabrina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really didnt enjoy this book from a literacy standpoint. I thought it would make a good book for a science lesson but I could not get into it. The drawings were simply with little color and I think it would be hard to draw children into the story. The storyline was unique in that it tells us that everybody needs a "rock" in the life and it describes the different roles "rocks" can play in our lives. I honestly couldnt make a connection with the book and couldnt think of any ways to use it in my classroom.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't love the illustrations in this story, but I do love the text. I love to use it each year as my 2nd graders learn about rocks. Some of them become interested in rock collecting and this is a fun guide to choosing a rock to keep. But what I really love to use this book for is a writing model. I have each student choose something that they think everybody needs (a pet, a book, a stuffed animal, a favorite tv show) and they write rules for finding the perfect one. Often, I get some pretty clever writing out of them.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know what I expected from this book, but I wanted more. The idea is good, and universal. Who hasn't picked up a rock because it 'spoke' to them for some reason!? And some of us end up with more than one rock. When skipping rocks, people tend to look more closely at the rocks under their feet. It's amazing what can turn up ... I can ramble, but I still wish there were more to this book!

[Relyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no idea how many times I've read this book. It's one of my standards when I teach about rocks and soil. I always begin with this book. I ask the students to each choose a special rock to bring to school to share with their classmates. Then, we observe it, record data, learn to classify each rock. It's great!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the one that turned me onto Baylor & Parnall when my children were young. We liked to collect interesting and pretty rocks for windowsill displays. And then, as these creators point out, it's just nice to have something solid, something from the natural world, to be an anchor, a constant companion.