Pocket Rocks

by Sheree Fitch, Helen Flook (Illustrator)

No matter how hard he tries, Ian Goobie can't do the things that the other children in his class can do. Then he finds a rock, a rock that fits perfectly into his pocket, a rock that touches all his senses and whisks him away into a whole other world. From then on, as long as he has a rock in his pocket, Ian Goobie can begin to cope with his daily challenges. That is until he stuffs so many rocks in his pockets that his pants fall down right outside in the schoolyard.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

From the Writer's Federation of Nova Scotia:

"Sheree Fitch is an educator, literacy activist and author of award winning poetry, picture books, nonfiction, plays and novels for all ages. Her first book, Toes in My Nose, illustrated by Molly Lamb Bobak, was launched in 1987. The books that followed have garnered numerous awards, including The Mr. Christie Award for There Were Monkeys in My Kitchen, The Anne Connor Brimer Award for Mable Murple. If You Could Wear my Sneakers, a book on Children's Rights commissioned by Unicef won both the Ontario Silver Birch Award and Atlantic Hackmatack award.

In 1998 she won the prestigious Vicky Metcalf award for a body of work inspirational to Canadian Children. She has been goodwill ambassador for Unicef since 1994 and her lipslippery adventures have taken her to remote parts of the globe.

Her work as a poet and literacy educator has taken her to the Arctic as eight-time poet laureate for Peter Gzowski's fundraisers for literacy and to Bhutan where she taught writing and participated in that country's first national reading week. Author readings have taken her to Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Belize and Mexico.

Currently, she is Honorary Spokesperson for the New Brunswick Coalition for Literacy. The coalition recently initiated the Sheree Fitch Adult Learner Scholarships. She is also Honorary Spokesperson for the Nova Scotia Read to Me Program. This program provides literacy information to new parents and books for newborns. Each year she sponsors a writing competition for New Brunswick Youth. Her latest venture in literacy education includes completing a three year (summer ) writer in residency for Somebody's Daughter --- out on the tundra in Nunavut. This is an innovative program for Inuit women started by Bernadette Dean, Sheree's friend and former student from a writing workshop Ftich held during one of her soujourns to the north.

In the fall 2004, Gooselane Editions released an expanded anniversary edition of her adult book of poetry In This House Are Many Women and Orca published Pocket Rocks, illustrated by Helen Flook.

In May 2005, Fitch's first novel (ages ten and up), The Gravesavers, was published by Doubleday Canada Random House. A coming of age story blended with a historical event—the wreck of S.S. Atlantic in 1873—Fitch considers the novel "a kind of love letter" to her Maritime home and a celebration of her roots. Upcoming books include If I Had A Million Onions, a collection of nonsense for all ages and Peek a Little Boo, a book for babies.

Fitch lives with her husband, Gilles Plante and divides her time between Washington D.C. and River John, Nova Scotia. In demand as a visiting author, workshop leader and keynote speaker, she is currently working on an adult novel. She holds a B.A. from St. Thomas, an M.A. from Acadia University and honorary doctorates from both St. Mary's and Acadia for her contribution to Canadian literature and education. She has two grown children."

Reviews

[Bonnie Ferrante · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of a little boy who struggles in school. No matter how much he concentrates, printing is too difficult. He begins a rock collection which helps him to use his imagination to take him mentally away from school. The rocks are his solace. Unfortunately, when his pockets become too heavy, his pants fell down in front of the whole class. A storyteller comes to the classroom. He also collects rocks. This gives the boy the courage to tell his story. Afterward, he spells his name with rocks.

Although I love the idea of the story, I found the text lengthy and the narration jumpy. I think a child who struggles with school would probably still enjoy it but might find it too long and wordy. I was disappointed with the editing. A book that is meant to appeal to a child who struggles in school, should have crisp, fast-paced narration.

The pictures, done by Helen Flook, are bright and eventful, mostly two-page spreads. Insights into the child’s imagination are especially engaging.

[parth shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

heartwarming and beautiful. made me cry! this book is for every kid who was a "different". may we all find kind and empathetic teachers and friends :) I will be getting copies of this to give away.

p.s. I still have pocket rocks. :) Thank you Fitch and Flook. <3

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ian Goobie can't keep up in school; what the other children can do he can't. He begins collecting rocks and keeping them in his pocket, which helps him to concentrate. One day he stuffs so many into his pants pockets that his pants fall down in front of his classmates. When a storyteller is a guest in the classroom, Ian learns something from him that is very helpful.

In this story the child has learning problems and has a helper. Nice story to be read to the child who needs encouragement.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book to introduce our rocks science unit to my second graders. I love the portrayal of special needs thinking as being a different but not less-than perception of the world. This book is absolutely beautiful.

[eveltrain · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great starter for discussions and some crafts. Shows it’s okay to learn the way you need to and never stop trying.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I received a print ARC from the publisher at ALA Midwinter 2018.