I'm Trying to Love Rocks

April 1, 2020
Grades K-2 In this lively picture book, a Black girl who loves geology attempts to convert an unseen, initially snarky onlooker (a stand-in for the book's audience), who yawns at the thought of rocks. First the enthusiast says that geology isn't just rocks; it's also volcanoes, diamonds, and fossils. Next she explains how boring rocks can change into fiery liquid rock (lava) during the rock cycle, in which one type of rock is transformed into another. After the unseen character asks a rhetorical question, the enthusiastic girl immediately counters that the asker would make a good scientist, because Science isn't about having the answers?it's about asking questions. Finally, she welcomes her gradually converted listener into the Rock Club. As in Barton's I'm Trying to Love Spiders (2015) and Give Bees a Chance (2017), the conversational text is so engaging that the information becomes more interesting and easier to absorb. With an energetic, disarmingly childlike look, the illustrations help viewers visualize and understand the concepts described. A welcome addition to this popular series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

Starred review from May 1, 2020

K-Gr 2-This charming, brightly colored book shares a heap of information about Earth and rocks, resulting in a playful primer in geology. In the same vein as her previous title, (I'm Trying To Love Math), Barton pairs a slightly bored, disembodied narrator with a character who is passionate about the subject in question; in this case, the young president of the geology club. With her enthusiastic guidance, the second character comes to understand the wonderful world of geology, from the names and classifications of rocks to questions about how islands and diamonds are formed. Barton offers an engaging overview of some core concepts of geology, providing facts and figures without overwhelming readers and emphasizing the exciting aspects of questioning and exploration in science. A lovely touch: The endpapers at the start of the book have a host of different rocks, each labeled "rock," while the endpapers at the back show the same rocks correctly labeled. VERDICT A delightful presentation of what might otherwise seem like dry information. Purchase immediately for elementary nonfiction collections for a playful introduction to the world of rocks.-Jen McConnel, Queen's University, Ont.

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from April 1, 2020
This metafictional picture book about the science of rocks is saved by a child who jumps in to convince readers--and the book itself--that rocks are fascinating. "This is a book about geology!" the first spread exclaims. A rock is declared "so rock-like" and "hard" before the narrator realizes that rocks "don't really do much" and gives up, announcing "THE END." But before readers can shut the book, a black girl with frizzy hair and large eyes calls out from the white space, "Wait!" In a back and forth with the narrator, the young scientist keeps the book going by pointing out that all the exciting topics the narrator is ready to move on to (volcanoes, diamonds, or fossils) are all a part of geology. The girl, who happens to be president of the rock club, takes on the challenge of making the narrator love rocks. Their humorous, tongue-in-cheek interaction will keep children entertained, all while educating readers about the science of geology, from the rock cycle to the process by which gemstones are formed. Chock full of facts, diagrams, and examples, including fun end pages, this book will reward readers who return to it frequently. Bold lines, lively colors, and clever use of white space make for an eye-catching read. Playfully persuades the most rock-averse readers to love rocks. (Informational picture book. 5-9)

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