PreS-Gr 1—This unique alphabet book features photos of ocean-sculpted rocks lovingly collected over the course of a decade by the author. McGuirk amassed a complete alphabet of letter-shaped rocks, which she pairs with other humorously representational geologic findings. She puts the emphasis on the rocks themselves, employing simple text, solid backgrounds, and spare, yet engaging layouts to showcase her finds. Additional whimsical embellishments are occasionally used to complete the imaginative leap for the book's audience, though there is no need to rely on such additions for the letters all are easily recognizable. The collection ranges from a dog-shaped rock chained to a tiny wooden doghouse ("D is for dog") and a boot-shaped stone kicking an orange ball ("K is for kick") to an array of pale faces set against a dark backdrop ("G is for ghosts") and a pair of fish-shaped rocks with perfect smiling faces ("J is for joy"). Each image invites discovery and, once recognized by readers, will evoke amazement, laughter, or sighs of satisfaction. While reminiscent of Saxton Freymann's vegetable creations, McGuirk's stones stand alone for the sheer "wow" factor that nature can create. This concept book will be at home in storytimes and classroom read-aloud sessions, though children may wish to take it home and give each stone a closer look. Sure to spark imaginative rock-finding hunts and found-object art projects, this quirky title will earn its place in any picture-book collection.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI
McGuirk uses rocks from her collection to form both the letters and items they stand for in this creative alphabet book. The sea-worn rocks made of fossilized sandstone look uncannily like the real things. The book could be a catalyst for collectors and naturalists; an author's note describes how she waited "for many years...for the letter K to appear."
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