Whether we’ve been the subject of a rumor or the one spreading a rumor about someone else, most of us have been involved with rumors somehow. But how many people really stop to think about the damaging effects?

Fortunately, award-winning author Julia Cook does, and cleverly brings this serious subject to light in an entertaining and funny, but cautionary, tale about the importance of NOT starting or spreading rumors.

Told through the eyes of the rumor marble, the story describes how a simple misunderstanding starts a chain reaction that can’t be undone.

K-6 students will laugh as they read this story and are reminded that it’s much easier to prevent a train – or a rolling rumor marble – from starting to roll forward than trying to stop one!