A Chip Off the Old Block

by Jody Jensen Shaffer, Daniel Miyares (Illustrator)

A plucky pebble shows true grit as he travels the country trying to find out if he fits in with any of his famous rock-formation relatives.

Rocky comes from a long line of rock stars! Uncle Gibraltar, Aunt Etna, and Great-Grandma Half Dome are just some of the legendary rock formations he calls family. It's no wonder he wants to matter in a big way too--but it's not easy trying to get a foothold. Rocky gets tossed by The Wave and driven away at Devil's Tower--but he's determined not to allow these pitfalls to chip away at his confidence. Rather than feeling crushed, he keeps on rolling, hoping to become the rock-star he knows he's meant to be.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Science, Adventure, Nature, Humor, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

Published February 20, 2018

About the author

Jody Jensen Shaffer is an award-winning poet and the author of more than 70 books of fiction and nonfiction for children, including PRUDENCE THE PART-TIME COW, a Missouri Show Me Award finalist for 2019-2020 and Missouri’s choice for the National Book Festival in 2017, A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK, nominee for the 2021-2022 Iowa Goldfinch Award, IT’S YOUR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, BUSY BUS!, an Amazon best-seller and Amazon Prime Book Box pick for September 2019, EMERGENCY KITTENS!, WHO IS JACKIE CHAN? and more. Jody’s poetry and fiction have been published in magazines like Highlights, Ladybug, and Clubhouse Jr. Jody lives in Liberty, Missouri, with her family. When she’s not writing, Jody can be found spending time with family and walking her rescue dog, Sophie.

Reviews

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rocky wants to be important like his rock relatives. Off he goes on a quest. A clever book, full of facts about rocks, including the best known formations.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fictional yet informational book about different rock formations. There is a 2 page non-fiction spread at the end of the book with additional facts about rocks and famous formations.

This would pair well with elementary school lessons about rocks and rock formations, including the discussion of different kinds of rocks (igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary).

The story itself is of a little pebble, who longs to do something grand and great like his relatives. It's peppered with puns, which elementary students would appreciate.

Kids enjoyed this story.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

SO much potential! Lots of rock/boulder/pebble fun and oh, so many puns.

I love the real rock structures that are referred to in the story and then listed in more detail in the back of the book.

I just think some of these puns will be lost on the kids, and the story is a bit all over the place at times.

[Liz Goble · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book rocked. Rocky goes on a nationwide journey visiting his "relatives". Readers learn about different famous rocks around the USA and also facts about types of rocks.

[Donna Mork · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book about a little rock who wants to make a big difference. He travels to visit all of his cousins, and ends up at Mt. Rushmore, where Lincoln's nose needs saving. He's a perfect fit and saves the day.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jody Jensen Shaffer and Daniel Miyares team together to create what may be the punniest book this year...

Rocky is the offspring of two boulders and has a rock star pedigree that includes Uncle Gibralter, Aunt Etna, and Great-Grandmother Half Dome. He sets out to accomplish a great task that will make a difference in the world, however strikes out on his first three efforts. On his fourth attempt, success!

Shaffer's text is filled with puns about rocks and is quite lively. Miyares is up for the challenge, taking the puns a step further in each digitally enhanced watercolor and acrylic illustration. Backmatter continues the tongue-in-cheek humor with a few works about each rock formation, and notes about rock types.

The more sophisticated the listener/reader, the more they will get from this book. It would be perfect to use as part of a unit on rocks and minerals or paired with Drew Daywalt's "The Legend of Rock, Paper Scissors".

For grades PreS-5.

[Kirsti Call · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is filled with puns, clever wordplay, important themes, geology, geography and beautiful illustrations.

Jody Jensen Shaffer's word play is laugh out loud funny. Many of the jokes may go over a young child's head, but the story is so much fun, that it's nice to have the puns for the parents who are read and re-reading.

I loved the messages of persistence, self worth, and the importance of family. Despite Chip's small size, he doesn't give up on his dream to do something big. The idea that young people can do big things will resonate with kids.

The book is replete with real facts of geography and geology. I especially like the back-matter where rock types are explained. This would be a great book for schools--it makes geography and geology fun!

Daniel Miyares does a beautiful job of rendering Chip and his adventures. Who knew rocks would be so expressive?

This is a rocking read!

[Sharon Coffey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rocky comes from an illustrious family of rocks, Rushmore, Gibraltar, Half Dome. He dreams of being famous like his family. Literally, a family of rock stars! His father tells him he’s “a chip off the old block.” His travels to visit relatives are rocky to say the least. First, he falls off the back of a truck. Then a big wind carries him off. Next thing you know, he’s stuck in a storm. The roadblocks chip away at Rocky’s exterior but not his confidence. Follow Rocky across the U.S. as he tries to achieve his dream. This is a book you shouldn’t “take for granite.”

The illustrations, painted in watercolors and acrylics, are a pleasing color pallet. They’re detailed and true to life. This book is full of puns, sure to make grown-ups and children giggle. An extra bonus in the back includes rock formations throughout the U.S.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will definitely have to use this book during our Earth Materials unit this year. In such a fun way it looks at the different types of rocks that there are and how they are found, and used. I also love the idea of learning early about erosion and weathering. I don't think I'd even point those things out in the first reading of the book but rather have them point it out to me after they explore the book on their own and "discover" what I had missed. Then, like a great non-ficition/fiction picture book does, this book gives them research information in the back about each of the "relatives" that chip talked about in the book so that they can bridge the fun to the facts.

[Kirsten Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story and great illustrations! Daniel Miyares does a great job bringing Rocky to life in his wonderful illustrations.

There is a lot that can be done with this book: rock study, focus on character traits of perseverance and self-worth, family tree.

Connections: I Like Myself (Beaumont), Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon (Lovell), The Most Magnificent Thing (Spires), Everybody Needs A Rock (Baylor), A Rock Is Lively (Aston)

Not to be missed: Author’s Note with factual info at back of the book

[Pat Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a former elementary school teacher, I can see sharing this amusing book as an introduction to geology. Shaffer and Miyares cleverly introduce famous rock structures around the world such as Aunt Etna and Uncle Gibraltar as members of Rocky's family and in back matter share info about types of rocks -- igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary--Rocky's Rock Star Family. Rocky has dreams, you know, wanting to do something important like his relatives. Not encouraged by mom who says he's just a pebble and dad, who says he's a chip off the old block, he sets off nonetheless. He has grand adventures, and satisfyingly, does indeed do something very important.

The word play and visual play of the illustrations add tremendous appeal to this engaging story.

[Margie Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fictional, of course, story of a rock with extraordinary relatives! The author utilizes puns to incorporate scientific and geographic vocabulary related to rocks. In elementary school lessons about rocks and rock formations and even, national parks like Mount Rushmore, this book would serve as a great introduction to the unit! The book includes a a two-page information section about rock types and rock formations.

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story could be used when studying rocks and landforms in a classroom. Rocky is a chip off the old block that goes in search of big things to do. And though he moves through rolling, falling, bouncing, being carried away by bird, wind, rain, he does make a difference at the end. Find out what that difference is after reading about this small rock.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A decent excuse to teach kids about some of the important rock formations across the world, but I didn't connect with Rocky's goal. He wants to "make a difference," but that feels like such trite a problem. What does it really mean, right? In the end, I don't think the solution was worthy of the journey.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A silly book about a rock that goes out to make a difference. There are a lot of dad level rocks jokes throughout the book that little kids might not get. It is still a very funny read and would be good read aloud during a rock unit.

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will make a fun read aloud, especially when students talk about rocks, land formations. I liked that the author includes information in the backmatter that goes along with the story. There is also an author's note that gives further information about erosion on Mt. Rushmore.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geology and geography are just plain FUN in this picture book from Jody Jensen Shaffer and Daniel Miyares! Every child can relate to Rocky, a little pebble who wants to be important. Back matter on geology is easy to read and appealing. Great for earth studies for the elementary classroom.

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a story about a pebble that wants to be important and do something that matters. I thought it was unique, but a little boring. At the end of the book, there is a brief explanation of the three types of rock you can find, as well as some famous rocks.

[Jj · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute, and some good puns here, but overall disappointing. I like the illustrations and the concept (and that cover is fun!), but the story is meandering and lost me pretty quickly. I just found it confusing, honestly.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mash-up of adventure story, geology lesson, and paronomasia, this loose aggregate of a story pushes a pebble through erosive processes and imaginative leaps to find its purpose in the world. So glad this journey ended short of the nostril!

[Diana C. Kobylak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This imaginative book guides readers through landscapes on trips to amazing rock formations. Rocky is a small rock who aspires to make a difference despite his size, and he does. The back cover provides great information on rock compositions and on the rock formation locations.

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rocky comes from a long line of famous rock formations. He has big dreams, and heads off to become famous too. He visits various family members as he searches for his place. Silly and funny. Wonderful illustrations.

[Amanda Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rock tours Midwest and Western America looking to make a difference and manages to get transported in many different ways. Wouldn't be bad read-aloud for a class studying regions, but otherwise not a must have.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little rock dreams of doing something important like the famous members of his family (Mount Rushmore, Half Dome, Devils Tower) so he sets out to visit them and see if he can make his own way.

Illustrations are fun.

[Nicole Baum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a sweet book, and full of humor! I don’t think my 2nd grade students would find it as humorous as I do since many of the puns would go right over their heads. Though it does allow for many great conversation starters.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fun kids book about a little rock who wants to do something big. Famous rock formations are featured and at the end of the book is a non-fiction section which explains about the different types of rocks and more about the featured formations. Witty rock puns are sprinkled in the text.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and silly introduction to rocks that will please the rock hounds and possibly entice kids to explore the wonders of the geological world.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of puns that may get lost on children, but a cute story.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young rock comes from a family of well-known rocks and leaves home to make his own way.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tons of puns and groaners pepper the text of this cute, sweetly-illustrated story of a little rock's grand adventure. Facts about rocks and famous natural landmarks are spread throughout the text.