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91st out of 93 books
—
205 voters
A Rock Is Lively
From the award-winning creators of An Egg Is Quiet, A Seed Is Sleepy, and A Butterfly Is Patient comes a gorgeous and informative introduction to the fascinating world of rocks. From dazzling blue lapis lazuli to volcanic snowflake obsidian, an incredible variety of rocks are showcased in all their splendor. Poetic in voice and elegant in design, this book introduces an ar...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
August 29th 2012
by Chronicle Books
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Perhaps only this incredibly talented team could have managed to make rocks seem so appealing to the uninitiated. For those who have spent time studying rocks in their infinite variety, this book provides visual and textual proof of why they are so fascinating. As in their earlier titles, An Egg Is Quiet, A Seed Is Sleepy, and A Butterfly Is Patient, the duo takes a close look at something in the world around them, in this case, rocks, and then characterizes it as "lively," "mixed up," even "gal...more
Feb 13, 2013
Lisa Vegan
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
ages 8-12+- who are interested in nature, geology, art, history, the earth, gorgeous pictures
Shelves:
childrens,
non-fiction,
nature,
picture-books,
history,
art,
social-culture,
reviewed,
science
I’ve read the earlier three books in this series by this author-illustrator team: A Seed Is Sleepy and An Egg Is Quiet and A Butterfly Is Patient and I gave them all 5 stars, so I was very eager to read this 4th book. Also, I collected rocks and shells as a child, and so I was particularly curious about this book.
I wasn’t the slightest bit disappointed. In fact, I think this is my favorite of the 4 books.
I was charmed the minute I opened the book and saw a bunch of gorgeous rocks pictured on the...more
I wasn’t the slightest bit disappointed. In fact, I think this is my favorite of the 4 books.
I was charmed the minute I opened the book and saw a bunch of gorgeous rocks pictured on the...more
9 likes · like · see review
view all 12 comments
If you want Astonishingly Amazingly Beautiful in a children's book, look no further than the writing/illustrating team of Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long. A Rock is Lively is Aston and Long's fourth joint effort following the success of An Egg is Quiet, A Seed is Sleepy, and A Butterfly is Patient.
I knew this would be a lovely book, but I'd almost despaired of obtaining a copy in time to evaluate it for the Cybils when my librarian friend surprised me with the book last week.
I hope you'll f...more
I knew this would be a lovely book, but I'd almost despaired of obtaining a copy in time to evaluate it for the Cybils when my librarian friend surprised me with the book last week.
I hope you'll f...more
Looking at the title, I am captivated with the idea that a rock can be lively. Wouldn't you be? To me, rocks are lifeless and dull. Yet, as I read this book, I discover that each rock carries a story, a historical account of their origins. To be quite honest, I never knew how much we use rocks in our everyday lives. If you think we are the only ones who use rocks, you are sadly mistaken. Animals do this as well. What I found invigorating about this book, was the poetic inflication that each page...more
Bubbling like a pot of soup deep beneath the earth's crust.....liquid....molten....boiling
This book can be on the border of a non-fiction book and a picture book. The author and illustrator have really come together to bring splashes of color to talk about how rocks can be lively. The use of color hightens what each rock does and its purpose, also shows where it comes from. Then going into how rocks can be galactic so on and so forth.
I think books is suited for 2nd through 5th grade. It's a grea...more
This book can be on the border of a non-fiction book and a picture book. The author and illustrator have really come together to bring splashes of color to talk about how rocks can be lively. The use of color hightens what each rock does and its purpose, also shows where it comes from. Then going into how rocks can be galactic so on and so forth.
I think books is suited for 2nd through 5th grade. It's a grea...more
I love rocks. I have always loved rocks and will forever walk with my head down scanning the ground for specimens. This is a BEAUTIFUL book. Its watercolor illustrations are so perfect and real you have to look to be sure some are not photographs. And that is high praise in a publishing world of non-fiction informational books that is filled with mostly photos these days!
This book shows how rocks are formed, how they move, how they are used, what they create, and more. Each section is headed wit...more
This book shows how rocks are formed, how they move, how they are used, what they create, and more. Each section is headed wit...more
A Rock is Lively is the perfect title for this beautiful informational book. Readers take off on a journey through the world of rocks; finding out what they are made of, where they come from, and what they have been used for, to name a few. Aston’s poetic introductions and simple descriptions draw in the reader’s attention, feed us tons of knowledge, and keep us entertained. Long’s striking watercolors portray her excitement about her subjects while the vivid colors and details make us want to l...more
A truly stunning look at the incredible, living history of rocks.
Chock full of interesting facts about rock properties and uses, this book balances beautifully between entertaining and informative. This would be especially effective in use for the Common Core initiative that more and more schools are adopting, marrying amazing illustration with inforamtional text and resulting in strong material. Gorgeous, dazzling, fascinating!
Suggest to patrons looking for good informational or science pictur...more
Chock full of interesting facts about rock properties and uses, this book balances beautifully between entertaining and informative. This would be especially effective in use for the Common Core initiative that more and more schools are adopting, marrying amazing illustration with inforamtional text and resulting in strong material. Gorgeous, dazzling, fascinating!
Suggest to patrons looking for good informational or science pictur...more
Beautiful illustrations and poetic, surprising text combine to make a terrific nonfiction picture book. If you thought rocks just sat there, think again. This book will make you look at rocks in an entirely different way.
Excerpt: ...bubbling like a pot of soup deep beneath the earth's crust...liquid...molten...boiling
The poetic text alternates wtih straight prose: Depending on what type of rock it is, a rock melts at temperatures between 1,300 and 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit (700 and 1,300 degrees...more
Excerpt: ...bubbling like a pot of soup deep beneath the earth's crust...liquid...molten...boiling
The poetic text alternates wtih straight prose: Depending on what type of rock it is, a rock melts at temperatures between 1,300 and 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit (700 and 1,300 degrees...more
A Rock is Lively is an interesting, attractive book sure to appeal to young rock fans. The kids seemed moderately interested in this book; my niece was interested in the pages about geodes and petroglyphs, and my nephew was excited about the pages about space rocks.
I didn't really care for this book as much as I did for A Seed Is Sleepy, or An Egg Is Quiet. There is a tactile quality to rocks, and I think that much of the data I gather about rocks comes from handling them. The illustrations were...more
I didn't really care for this book as much as I did for A Seed Is Sleepy, or An Egg Is Quiet. There is a tactile quality to rocks, and I think that much of the data I gather about rocks comes from handling them. The illustrations were...more
Another stellar collaboration by the team that created An Egg Is Quiet, A Seed Is Sleepy, and A Butterfly Is Patient, this nonfiction picture book focuses on rocks and minerals. The book begins with rock melted as magma beneath the earth. It talks about what makes up rocks and how old they are, as well as the rocks that we find in space. Rocks as tools and weapons are explored, mixed in with the amazing rock interiors that surprise and delight. The different types of rocks finish off the factual...more
This book has a wonderful balance between science and art. The beautiful illustrations and simple, yet informative, text introduces children to the world of rocks and minerals. This is a good example of quality non-fiction books for curious younger readers.
Recommend this title to budding rockhounds in first grade and up. This is a good introduction to the subject. Show readers who like this book two other books by Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long - An Egg is Quiet and A Seed is Sleepy.
Recommend this title to budding rockhounds in first grade and up. This is a good introduction to the subject. Show readers who like this book two other books by Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long - An Egg is Quiet and A Seed is Sleepy.
A poetic look at rocks. Each spread is introduced with a generalized statement and followed up with scientific facts explaining the statement. Beautiful watercolor illustrations present the unique qualities of a variety of rocks.
The poetic text is in a cursive font which is a little hard to read when it comes to a paragraph of text, and I would’ve liked to have seen a further reading section or some sort supplemental back matter, but those are my only complaints.
The poetic text is in a cursive font which is a little hard to read when it comes to a paragraph of text, and I would’ve liked to have seen a further reading section or some sort supplemental back matter, but those are my only complaints.
Rocks star in this descriptive introduction to geology combining surprising adjectives and hard facts. This imaginative author-illustrator pair can make even rocks fascinating. In the tradition of earlier titles about eggs, seeds, and butterflies Aston and Long introduce rock science with adjectival phrases, short, informative paragraphs, and glorious watercolor illustrations, here of rock and mineral varieties.
A beautifully illustrated book about rocks with some highlights of the geologic process. My complaints are minor…I really don't like the script font. It's pretty, but I think will distract some readers. I am also curious to get my geologist brother-in-law's opinion on it as he is currently teaching an after-school geology class to elementary students. In my opinion it devotes too little time to the rock formation cycle/process.
I love Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long's work depicting basic science ideas. This latest book about rocks is no exception. Perfect for students learning about the rock cycle, geology, and rocks in elementary school. Beautifully done with accurate, specific information. Recommended for upper elementary students, though younger students interested in science may also enjoy the text.
While most of us think of rocks as static, Aston shows readers the varied and changing (albeit slowly) nature of rocks. Through colorful watercolor illustrations and poetic language, young readers will learn about how rocks are formed, where they come from, and their varied shapes and sizes and mineral content. Lots of possibilities for this one in core knowledge and science curriculum.
I have mixed feelings about this book. For one thing I was expecting a book about where to find rocks and how to identify them. But this book turns out to be a descriptive narrative of the uses of rocks by people and nature, how rocks are formed, different kinds of rocks. The illustrations are very nice. So it wasn't what I was expecting, but turned out to all right anyway.
This is a wonderful combination of poetry, science, and gorgeous illustrations. Our girls love to look at rocks, especially gemstones; they love to discover the wonders inside a geode or ponder the flecks of color in some quartz. This book inspires the same kind of wonder and awe and I live that there's a science lesson woven throughout. It's a terrific book and we really enjoyed reading it together.
3 likes · like · see review
Sigh. This book is so beautiful and has a simple main text with additional information on each spread, making it a great choice to share with kids. It includes interesting facts, giving young readers a basic overview of geology and how rocks are used by people and animals. However, there are no sources cited, which breaks my heart. :(
Another excellent book by Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long. I used to think rocks were BORING but not anymore. Intriguing facts about rocks paired with beautiful, detailed art creates a stunning book that would be an excellent read-aloud and/or enjoyed independently.
Absolutely loved the pictures, which made me vividly recall some beloved rock collections from my youth. However, information and writing was just average, maybe even more spotty, less flowing, and less informative than other similarly leveled rock books I've seen.
The artwork in this book was great. This would be a great 4th Grade Science book. The kids would really relate to the book as it really isn't a story, it is non fiction, but it isn't boring and text book like. A teacher could even created a worksheet from the book!
Another winner from the quality collaborative efforts of Aston and Long. Succinct, evocative text perfectly wed to luscious art. A worthy addition to any school library collection. Let your earth science teachers know about this one.
This book is very informative and the pictures are beautiful. My only criticisms are the fonts that they used. It makes it a bit hard to read and a FULL picture of Michelangelo's David. Recommend for children 8 to 12.
Another stunning book from the pair who brought us An Egg Is Quiet, A Seed Is Sleepy, and A Butterfly Is Patient. From the rock cycle, to rocks as tools, this is an engaging and informative introduction to geology.
Beautiful illustrations - I enjoyed the book. However, like so many books in this genre, it seems to be written for almost an adult audience. The vocabulary in it would be too advanced for the target audience.
The title of this book is intriguing - and rightfully so. This book provides interesting information on stones and rocks of all types, always with a surprise. Fun to read and educational.
The illustrations are beautiful. I wish this book came with a bag of samples of all the stones depicted in the illustrations. The pictures are accurate, but somehow much more appealing than a photo would have been.
Not just for little kids!
The illustrations are beautiful. I wish this book came with a bag of samples of all the stones depicted in the illustrations. The pictures are accurate, but somehow much more appealing than a photo would have been.
Not just for little kids!
Finally an engaging book about rocks to read aloud! Also great for one on one reading due to the beautifully realistic illustrations. Wonder if students will notice/remark on the David statue?
PB 19: Not a personal fan of rocks, but this is quite colorful and informative. The proof is in the pudding, or maybe I should say the title, this book makes rocks come alive!
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Dianna Hutts Aston was born in Houston, Texas, attended the University of Houston, and worked as a journalist for several years. LOONY LITTLE is her first picture book with Candlewick Press. She says, "It was one of the hottest summer days on record. My mind, of its own accord, kept wandering northward, to a wilderness of snow and ice, the Arctic. While listening to the news one evening, I heard P...more
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