Rick The Rock of Room 214 by Julie Falatko and Ruth Chan - ADVISABLE

 Rick The Rock of Room 214 by Julie Falatko, illustrated by Ruth Chan. PICTURE BOOK. Simon & Schuster, 2022. $19. 9781534494640 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Rick is a Nature Finds rock hosted in an elementary classroom. He wishes for adventure that other rocks have in the student’s rock unit (volcanoes, cliffs, etc.) When the chance for adventure comes he takes it. This story is an excellent introduction to rocks and how they are formed while simultaneously a story about friendship and home.

This picture-book-almost-comic brings rocks, moss, and tree bark to life. The comics style of dialogue makes it fun to follow Rick’s adventure.  I liked watching the changes the children made to their Nature Finds and that the young girl recognized Rick even amongst other rocks. The illustrations play an integral role in the story, however, very young children were not interested in the classroom storyline or learning about rocks. I would like to see this as an introduction or wrap-up to a rocks unit in upper elementary school. 

 Mariah Gerlach, MLS