The Worry Stone

by Marianna Dengler

Folks say if you're troubled or worried, and if you rub the stone gently, like this, the worry goes away. Every day the woman walks to the park, the bright red feather bobbing on her floppy old hat. She watches the children play and tries not to think about her own children, scattered to the winds, and herself, growing older each day. Then one day a small, serious boy joins her on the park bench, and she realizes that once she was small and serious, too, but she had Grandfather―and his stories―to make life wonderful. Perhaps there is a way to share that wonder. The Worry Stone is three tales woven together, the way human lives are connected despite distance and time. It pays homage to the first people of California's Ojai Valley, the Chumash Indians, and the power of folktales spoken aloud. Written and illustrated with loving hands, The Worry Stone shows us how the stories of the past can join with the unfolding future, turning one lonely old woman and one lonely young boy into friends.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Cultural

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 25, 1996

Reviews

[Melike · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite stories that I read to my kids when they were little.

[Arie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story, beautiful illustrations - one of my favourite books from childhood.

[Susanna Hargreaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a favorite of mine. The book tells the story of a little girl whose grandfather gives her a worry stone as he tells her the Native American legend of the stone. Later the stone comforts her during a great loss. Then later when she is old, she passes the stone on to another child who needs it, too. This book would be wonderful to use during a Nature walk or exploration or on Native American themed lessons plans. Also, children could find a worry stone to decorate and keep. Wonderful coping strategy for stress, worries, nervous children. Makes a lovely gift.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it, a must read.......short however, but a great write.

[Marie Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story with lovely illustrations.

[2janetcj · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book is the best I have seen in any Children’s book. Love the story and the heartfelt meaning.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weaves together three different stories in a touching way. Lovely art.

[Tiffany Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story using nature and stories passed down from generation to generation!

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful story of compassion.

[Katherine Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

To me, books that inspire or calm me down should always be included in my WOW bookshelf. This story tells three tales, one of an old woman and serious little boy who are sitting on a park bench together. The old woman tells the little boy a story of her chlidhood.She enjoyed company with her grandfather, and sharing her adventures with him. This story reminded me of my own time with my grandfathers before they passed away. I always loved hearing their stories too. One day, she comes across a shiny smooth rock that she brings back to her grandfather. He tells another tale of an Indian lady who says goodbye to her husband as he goes off to war. She gets notified that he has passed away in battle, and she cries at his grave near a patch of rocks. These rocks ended up being "worry stones" that are shiny and smooth and are spread across the world. The end of the story was completely heartwarming and compelling as the old lady hands off her worry stone to the little boy, hoping that it will shed a little happiness on his day. This book made me say "wow" as I completed it, as it made me realize how people young and old have similar worries, and it is our job as humans to take care of each other and ease them.
I imagine this book being read to my class in the beginning or middle of the semester when times are seeming to get rough for some of my students. I would like them to find their own "worry stones" on the playground or at home so they can be reminded to rub them if they are having problems. This could be a good source to avoid conflict between students in the classroom. They can also compare and contrast the different people/stories told throughout the book, and write their own story that is related to this book.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes me cry every time. All grandparents are storytellers but one grandpa in particular loved telling stories and I miss those times with him. This book highlighted exactly those memories and I was hit hard with a wave of grief and gratitude and hope that I am able to extend that love and memory to my grandchildren someday. Or any child to cross my path.

Children's books are so simple and so powerful and take the complication and anxiety out of life. Adults should not neglect to read them just because there are not school aged children in their day to day lives. I can't wait to read this book to the kids I nanny for! They recently lost a grandmother, so hopefully it will have meaning for them too.

[Aubrey Thorne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre:multicultural picture book

Annotation: When a small, serious boy joins Amanda on the park bench, she remembers that once she was small and serious too, but she had Grandfather--and his wonderful stories. The Worry Stone is three beautiful tales woven together, the way human lives are connected despite distance and time.

Themes: Character and Values, Culture and Diversity, death, circle of life, grandparents, power of positive thinking

Ways to Use: introduce to children the concept of death and a chance to discuss the value of the people we love in our lives and to understand the feelings of others, teaching compassion and understanding, analyzing illustrations, making inferences, identifying author's message, identifying theme

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 7 year-old daughter loves this book. It contains the heartwarming story of an old woman whose grandfather used to tell her stories, including one about the "worry stone" she found lying on the ground. The worry stone becomes a comfort to her, and, later, she has the chance to pass it on to another child in need, along with more than just the stone.

I suspect my daughter is on the hunt for a worry stone, now.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story about a little boy feeling left out and an elderly women who gives him something to help him cope. My son and I both enjoyed it. I really liked how they connected 3 stories together. It really kept my son's interest.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Worry Stone
Dengler, Marianna
wow Mexican American and native american legends and stories blended as the cultures about love memory and handling the hard thongs in life. learning about love, loss, and the magic of finding someone to listen.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atticus loves for me to read this to him. It's a story within a story within a story. He loves it. It is very sweet and touching. (Maybe a tad contrived, but that's ok, it's a children's book.)

[Tearese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Illustrations!

[Yulidy Decena]

It had very nice pictures and it was a very good tale. It can help children get excited about rocks!!

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book is better for children who are about eight or nine since they have a little bit more of an attention span. I enjoyed it and shall now be looking for a worry stone of my own.

[Melissa Coyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story of friendship and beautiful illustrations!

[Jennisen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is certainly one of my favorite stories of all time. My discovery of this story is, in itself, a special story. Rediscovering it and re-reading it in preparation of telling it is a joy.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every family should have this story, and all elementary school children should be encouraged to read it. It's a WOW!

[Emelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that this is 3 stories in one!