Hidden Gem

by Linda Liu

THIS BOOK ROCKS !!
(It also happens to be about a rock...)

Prepare to fall in love with this debut picture book and its irresistibly quirky story of a tiny, unassuming rock's journey to self-confidence, perfect for fans of Eric Carle & Jon Klassen.

When a small pebble sees others gathering on the steps of the Museum of Rocks, he grows curious. Once inside the esteemed halls, he is shocked by what he discovers. The only rocks on display are glittering gemstones, geodes, and crystals!

These beautiful stones make him wonder: can he be special, too? Perhaps he’ll find an answer in the World’s Most Beautiful Gem exhibition . . . or maybe, just maybe, he will find the answer inside himself.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Self Esteem, Inspirational, Juvenile, Mental Health

40 pages, Hardcover

First published July 11, 2023

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a highly anticipated book for me, but I was a little let down. The text is very message forward without much humor or charm. The illustrations are quite nice, but feel like they have been 'done' before. I think that I had imagined this book would be about a geode (the end pages seem to support that) who cracks to reveal a beautiful interior. Where this book shines are with the unique rocks in the museum. I know that works contrary to the message of the book, but the best parts of this book are the shiniest, most spectacular rocks, and not the regular, everyday rocks with eyes.

[Benjamin Elliott · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 the art was good, and there could be something to this concept. Unfortunately, the text was very message-y and pandering. The situation where a rock with eyes character went to a museum with rocks who also had eyes but were not treated as characters was a very confusing situation

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork. Short enough to keep kids attention. Great message. Super cute. Would recommend.

[Sakura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrations are really unique using textiles to paint the story of a rock in a poetic way. Very cool!

[Ken Yuen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute. Love the little detail of the line on the rock that doesn't stand out till the end. The eyes are very expressive

[Suebee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book is an allegory, it’s more for older kids/teen/adults, about finding your self-worth.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rock takes a journey and rolls upon the Museum of Rocks. As he visits all the different halls and only sees gemstones, geodesic, and crystals. But once the rock encounters the World's Most Beautiful Gem, he discovers something that is truly amazing.

[Dara Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the cover art of this book, I was intrigued to see how interesting and eye-catching a story about a rock could be. We find a basic-looking rock surrounded by various beautiful and shining rocks that produce an array of colors. I love the message this book has to offer, showing that you are special as you are no matter how you look, but my favorite part of this book is the illustrations of the rocks and gems. I felt like the illustrator really captured the essence of a gem and how they shine off of the page. I was amazed at how different each gem and rock looked with the "water color-looking" technique within each one.

I like the choice of personifying the rocks and gems by giving them eyes and nothing else. I enjoyed observing the different shapes of the rocks and gems and the way the gems had rays of glowing light shine off of them. My favorite part of the book was the reveal of "the world's most beautiful gem", unveiling a huge white gem that beams light onto the other rocks. I loved the illustration of the main rock seeing themselves in the white gem and how they had now embodied the same crystal-looking appearance onto themselves after the realization. By the end, the rock was beaming off a light that resembled tie-dyed colors that was very nice to look at and made me think of how the illustrator made it happen.

I support this book as a potential Caldecott winner because the riveting and original illustrations make me appreciate the amount of work put into making something as difficult as shiny gems appear as if it is sitting on the page rather than just a drawing.

[Janet Squires · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hidden Gem by author and illustrator, Linda Liu, offers a clever reminder about finding confidence in being yourself.

“I rock and roll and tumble,” says a little pebble as curiosity draws it to the Museum of Rocks to see the World’s Most Beautiful Gem. Once inside, the pebble encounters rocks in every variety of shape and color. The discovery leads the pebble to wonder how to become as special as the others. It imagines how it might need to change until… it finally comes face to face with the most beautiful gem of all. The little pebble sees it’s reflection in the gem’s glowing surface and understands, at last, that “…being special is being me!”

Liu’s minimalist rhyming text is paired with bold visuals that allow the art to do much of the story telling, while the words define the narrative.

Designed for readers 4-8, this book is a charming reminder that we are all special in our own way.

The subtle messaging provides parents and teachers with a variety of talking points for conversations about self-confidence, inclusion, and acceptance of ourselves and, by extension, others.

Recommended for home and school libraries.

[Aubrey Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this "Hidden Gem" of a picture book, Liu beautifully weaves together a narrative that encourages self-confidence and acceptance. Young readers are sure to fall in love with the lovable pebble and its journey, making "Hidden Gem" a standout addition to any children's bookshelf. Linda Liu's delightful narrative takes readers on a journey of self-discovery, making it an irresistible read for children. The book's quirky storyline and relatable themes make it an engaging and heartwarming experience. The accessible language and captivating illustrations make "Hidden Gem" an excellent choice for both independent reading and a delightful bedtime story.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about a rock. A rock who visits a rock museum. They see lots of different rocks and even the world's most beautiful gem. The rock ponders what it would take to be as special as the rocks in the museum - especially the dazzling gem. But then... they catch a glimpse of their reflection on the surface of the most beautiful gem and realize - everyone is special in their own way.

This is an encouraging, affirming book with short rhyming phrases. I think kids will enjoy looking at all the different rocks and their expressions. If you want a cute follow up project - grab a bag of rocks and googly eyes and have fun!

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rock visits a museum and wants to be beautiful, just like the pieces of art he spies: there are gems, shiny and colorful; there are rocks of elaborate shapes; there are bespeckled geodes, too. But when he gazes upon the most beautiful gem in the museum--a gigantic diamond--he spies his own reflection and realizes that he is in the gem, and that beauty is in him.

A fun, whimsical, and rhyming story about loving yourself and loving others. Definitely a great read for when your little one is feeling down and out and serves as a great reminder for yourself, too!

[Bookishrealm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hidden Gem is a picture book that's an allegory for learning to accept yourself without trying to be like others. Unfortunately, I thought that this one was a little too straight forward and didn't really do anything for me in terms of creativity. I'm not sure the messaging was consistent considering that the illustrations excelled most with the beautiful gems. I'm also not sure if Liu was attempting to insinuate that even dull rocks are just as valuable as gems. Honestly, I think that there are some older readers that would appreciate this one, but I didn't really enjoy it.

[Audrey | WellReadandUndead(ish) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was just okay. I’d say there are better stories out there to teach children that they should love and be proud of who they are. This one felt like it sent mixed messages because the gems were drawn much more vividly and distinct from each other than the ordinary rocks. Shouldn’t we all look like gems if we’re all beautiful and unique? It kind of just reinforces that worth is in beauty and encourages you to find something physically beautiful about yourself to be worthy. It was lacking in messaging and the story isn’t as creative or funny enough to be very gripping for a younger child.

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

First thought- those rock eyes look like they were drawn by Jon Klassen.
Second thought- which rock is the main character? Not always easy to tell.
Third thought - The message is a good one, we are all special in our own way.
But the rock museum just did not do it for me. I found the illustrations and the text didn't smoothly blend. This book is getting a lot of love in reviews, but it wasn't for me.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rock shares its thoughts as it moves around and views other rocks and gems. He end up at a museum and move through the galleries to see the "World's Most Beautiful Gem" exhibit. The displays have all been gorgeous stones and the rock is not sure how he fits in. Then he discovers how important and special he is when he enters the final display area. The message is clear that all of us are just as important and special.

[Ryan Laferney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, whimsical, and rhyming story about loving yourself and loving others as seen through the eyes of Gem who spends the majority of the book comparing itself to other gems only to find out that it is special too and so are you!

The mix media illustrations are really fun and this book one great big positive gem of a story!

Worth reading to the special ones in your life.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I found myself and now I see … being special is being me!”

A rock wants to know how it can become as special as all the beautiful gems it sees: “Rocks that shock and glow.” Does the rock have to change its shape or color or do what all those other rocks do? Finally, through a mirror, the rock sees its own beauty and specialness.

[Chelsea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was a Jon Klassen book when I found it at the library, so the art feels a little ripped off. The story is also lacking considering the attempt at allegory. I don't like that the rock sees he is worthy when looking into his reflection of another rock. I'm probably reading too deep there, but I just think it could have been executed in a different way.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story to remind kiddos that they are unique and special and worth something regardless of what they look like on the outside. I just wish that it was more obvious this was the message from the start, instead of this idea that just because they aren't shiny or clearly unique from first glance that they are somehow less than until they learn to accept themselves or something.

[Jess Hannigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hidden Gem is a real GEM! Liu’s artwork is flexing with this book. Her shapes and textures create a huge beautiful array of rocks, geodes and gems, and eyes that do all the talking. Not your average self love story, Hidden Gem is beautiful and unique, just like it’s protagonist. I cant wait for more books from Linda!

[Zoraida Rivera Morales · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main character of this book is a rock. He discovers others rocks in exhibition at a museum. He wants to be special, too? What can he do?

Distilled to a few words, this picture book offers a creative look at who we are and who we can become, in a way kids and grown-ups can understand. Each will receive much to ask about and ponder, at their level.

[Rebecca Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a stunning picturebook, I was drawn to the cover immediately! It is the perfect read aloud for preschool-Second Grade especially doing a painted rock program. The message is heartwarming and crystal kids everywhere will love it!

[Cara Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book feels like what would happen if Jon Klassen and Arree Chung illustrated and wrote a book together. One of my college students wrote an engaging essay advocating for the inclusion of this book in a second grade classroom, citing the important message and unique illustrative style.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story of a rock who finds a gem museum and is amazed by the beauty and the glow of gems. As he wonders if he can be a hidden gem, he notices a crack and finds out more about himself.

Cute story. Worth the add to any collection serving young rock hunters.

[Arlo Panzera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute collage illustrations. Important message about finding yourself and loving yourself. Simple words on each page, easy to follow along. Could’ve taken it to the next level with some simple rock/gem identification.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love rocks and especially loved them as a kid. Even rather ordinary rocks became magical sparkling in the sun. This book takes that love of ordinary rocks and it becomes a metaphor for loving unique you.

[Kelly]

This is cute and has a great under the jacket reveal. It reminds me of Sam and Dave Dig a Hole just because of how the eyes are done on the different rocks/gems.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple story with a great message.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rock is a rock…or is it? Another good book to explore theme with older readers.