Nice elemental introduction to rocks!

It is a short introductory book to the knowledge of rocks and minerals. It contains a narrow selection of rocks and minerals, ideal for the first steps of a small child curious on the subject. Through this selection, clear and concise explanations of the different characteristics and terms with which they are classified are exemplified. The photos of the rocks accompany the concepts very well and are very beautiful. The content is appropriate for pre-primary and elementary school children.

On the last page comes something like the mission of the publisher, Barefoot Books, which I did not know and I find inspiring. This material fits well into education for children about nature and the planet, so that they can be amazed, valued and thus care for it with respect.

My sincere appreciation to the Publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review the book

Summary:  Each page features two rocks of the same color on a black background with rhyming text to identify them (“Pyrite cubes reflect the light. Calcite is glassy–edged with white.”).  After going through red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, and rainbow-colored, the author concludes, “Rocks in every shape and hue. Each one’s different, just like you!”  The final three pages contain five questions about rocks and minerals with fairly in-depth answers.  24 pages; ages 3-7.

Pros:  The photos of are gorgeous, and the back matter provides a good introduction to rocks and minerals.

Cons:  There feels like a disconnect between the rhyming text, which seems most appropriate for preschoolers, and the back matter, which would work for kids up to age 10 or so.

This book is sure to be a welcome addition to elementary school classrooms and libraries. The colorful rainbow gems and minerals are eye catching and the text is appropriate for children at a beginning reading level. The back matter is informative about geology and can be used to lead discussions with parents and teachers. This simple book is perfect for preschool to first grade and can also be used for learning colors in addition to rocks and minerals. Teachers are bound to find many practical uses for this book in their classrooms.

Wow, the pictures in this book are absolutely stunning! I was blown away as soon as I opened up the book. (OK, it did also help a little bit that the first page has the ruby, which is red and also my birthstone.) But then in addition to these stunning pictures is simple, fun rhyming text that has the name of each rock in its designated color. Plus the stones are clearly labeled on the page so that you know which one is which. I absolutely loved it! This part is perfect to use with younger children.

But then for those who want to know more, there's even more information in the back. This will appeal to the curious younger child and then provide a foundation for research by the older child. The adult reading the book will also have more information to better explain some of the simpler pages in more detail if needed. You're also introduced to even more vocabulary and definitions. Definitely a must-add to the classroom library!

Thank you to the publisher for fulfilling my review request via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Rainbow of Rocks by Kate Depalma is a children's book currently scheduled for release on May 15 2020. This book offers exactly what the title suggests, a rainbow of rocks from ruby to amethyst and beyond. Close-up photos of real, vibrant rocks and minerals in a rainbow of colors are paired with rhyming text about the many facets of geology. Includes educational notes perfect for STEM learning.

A Rainbow of Rocks is a lovely, rhyming primer covering the basics of geology for young readers. The text is fairly simple, but still imparts some good information to readers of all ages. The images are bold and bright, and worth a look all on their own. I think the combination of the stunning images, with information, and rhyming text will really keep the interest and attention of readers. I really appreciated the addition of additional information at the end of the book, in the form of a Q&A with more complex information for the more interested or advanced readers. 

I think A Rainbow of Rocks is a book that would be a good addition to any library, including school and public collections.

This is a great, simple rhyming book about rock names with brilliantly bright pictures that capture the interest of small children.  The font is a fun one that made my preschooler more excited about naming some of the letters she saw- and she loved pointing out when the colors of the letters matched the colors of the rocks we were looking at on those pages.

I’ve had the great pleasure working with this book and publisher. This is a fantastic nonfiction book.

Overview:
There are two main sections to this children’s book. The first section takes your child page by page and displays a picture of a rock with a little text about the rock on each page. The photos are brilliant, and the name of the rock is highlighted in the same color as the rock. The color scheme is really neat. Each set of two pages has similarly colored rocks. By the end, you’ve looked at 16 different rocks of several different hues.

The sentences are short and easy for a little one to follow along with, but they’ll need a parent or older sibling to read it to them because the words aren’t introductory. But even before a child can read, being read to and then looking at a book over and over on their own will help them, and these pictures will bring kids back to this book.

The second section of the book has 12 questions with answers to teach children about rocks—how they form, what they are made of, etc. This section also has aesthetic pictures and would be more appropriate for children over 7. For my family, my 3-year-old will sit through the first section, and I’m hoping that soon my 6-year-old will listen to the second section more intently. This isn’t a storybook, which little kids are usually used to. This is a non-fiction guide to rocks, so patience with your child, if they are less interested than some other books, will be your greatest asset.

Review
I was surprised and pleased to read this book for children and find nothing but facts about rocks! There was no hint of millions of years to form rocks (which we know empirically is not required), nor any reference to a Big Bang or other fairy tales like that. The author simply presented facts about rocks with excellent pictures in an enjoyable layout. I think this book could be an asset to any family and especially for homeschoolers.

Since I reviewed an electronic copy, I cannot comment on the physical quality of the book, but if you are intending to get this book for a toddler, well, I suggest you don’t let them “play with it” unsupervised. Books fall apart quickly in their hands, and you’ll want the book to last for when they are school age.

But I wonder if this really should have been two books. The two sections appeal to different audiences, and the first section may have been better as a board book. The number of pages will make this book well worth 16.99, but if your toddler destroys it before they are ready for part two, or if you buy it for an elementary-aged child who isn’t fascinated by the first section, you may feel like you paid more than it was worth to you.

Have said that, I DO recommend this book, and hope to see more of this publisher’s and this author’s offerings.

This ROCKED! 

Actually! Great level of information, presented well, interesting, fun, sparks curiosity about the wonders around us. Kid me (with an expansive rock collection) and adult me both would appreciate this book! 

It’s solid! Solid as a ... 

ok I’ll stop. (If that song is in your head now, sorry & here: https://youtu.be/2NEbe_brJAQ) 

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A Rainbow of Rocks is a very good beginner book of young children or toddlers interested in rocks and gems. The photography and layout are very eye-catching.

I love this book! It is so beautiful and colorful, yet informational at the same time. I plan to buy multiple copies of this book to put in our school library!!

This is a great little rhyming picture book about rocks. I know that doesn't sound very exciting, but this is actually an engaging little volume with beautiful photographs and lots of neat facts.

The main part of the book contains simple rhyming text to accompany photographs of beautiful rocks (which are clearly labelled). Everything from bumpy basalt to shimmering bornite shows up on the pages. At the back, there are a few pages that offer more detailed information about rocks: what they're made of, how they're formed, and their various characteristics.

This would be a great book for kids who are interested in geology. But its aesthetic might also encourage kids who aren't normally interested in this sort of thing to pick it up and give it a try.

This is a fabulous children's book to introduce very young children to rocks and minerals. It features beautiful close-up photos of all kinds of rocks with rhyming text that also teaches them a bit about the gemstones and rocks. The end features a section of Q&A for kids to learn more about how rocks are formed and much more. A great intro into geology for little ones.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.