Everybody Needs a Rock (For the Junior Rockhound) [Paperback]

Byrd Baylor (Author), Peter Parnall (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: For the Junior Rockhound

Everybody needs a rock -- at least that's the way this particular rock hound feels about it in presenting her own highly individualistic rules for finding just the right rock for you.

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (September 1, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689710518
• ISBN-13: 978-1416953975
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 9.6 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,287 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Nature > Rocks & Minerals
  • #2 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Nature > Rocks & Minerals
  • #9 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Arts & Music > Crafts & Hobbies

More About the Author

Baylor lives and writes in Arizona, presenting images of the Southwest and an intense connection between the land and the people. Her prose illustrates vividly the value of simplicity, the natural world, and the balance of life within it.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

88 of 88 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm Still Looking, July 14, 2001

By 

Bruce Crocker "agnostictrickster" (Whittier, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Everybody Needs a Rock (For the Junior Rockhound) (Paperback)

Everybody Needs A Rock written by Byrd Baylor and illustrated by Peter Parnall is among my top ten favorite children's books and, if pressed to make a choice, I might say that it is my all-time favorite. My first exposure to the book was back in the 70's in one of the gift shops at one of the Smithsonian Museum branches in Washington, DC. I didn't buy it at the time, but its simple story and wonderful illustrations made an impact on me and stuck in my head. Here was a book about someone like me; here was a book about someone with a deep appreciation for rocks. The young lady in the book also had deeply felt personal values. The drawings reminded me of some of my own sketches and they said so much with so few lines and such a simple, earthy color scheme. I would forget the title and then rediscover the book in the 80's as I was finishing up my training as a geologist and then as a high school science teacher. Recently, my Mom gave me a blow-up of a picture taken of me in Badlands National Park in 1966. In the picture, I am 7 and I am sitting on the side of a rocky hill looking intently at a small rock. The picture reminds me of Rule Number 3 from the book:

Bend over. More. Even more. You may have to sit on the ground with your head almost touching the earth. You have to look a rock right in the eye.

If you know a child with a deeper than average appreciation of nature who is little bit misunderstood, give them a little validation by giving them a copy of this fantastic book. I'm still looking for the perfect rock, but, in my opinion, Everybody Needs A Rock is close to a perfect children's book.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Everybody Needs a Rock, March 16, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Everybody Needs a Rock (For the Junior Rockhound) (Paperback)

This book has a very special meaning. When I look as this book it tells me that making a decision of any kind big of small takes time. It takes thought and concentration. As you are to pick a rock you have to look at it from al sides, just like you would have to in any decision you would make.
Decisions even as small as picking out a rock are important. Maybe you could apply these 10 rules that are read in the book and use them to solve everyday dilemmas or situations.
I think this book also tells us that the materialistic thing in life are no always what you need. Sometimes it takes just a rock to be your best friend. I would highly recommend this book to children who just think that toys or material possessions are what they need. There is a beautiful would of nature out there, and if you use your imagination even a rock can be your friend. ~ Kellie~

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars About more than just rocks, March 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Everybody Needs a Rock (For the Junior Rockhound) (Paperback)

This book has beautiful artwork (amazing line drawings) and neat words. But its ideas apply to more than just rocks. There's something in it about the rock search being a very personal thing, and I found that applied as much to househunting as rock hunting. Get it for anyone you love.