Summary
Grandma leads the children to her special garden. There, she shares different pieces of nature with them like rocks and crystals. She explains that they are alive in their own way and provide wisdom from the Earth. Grandma talks about each rock and crystal. She teaches the children why they may look a certain way and how they could have formed. She also talks about different ways they could change over time. The children think about each piece’s story and about their place in the universe.
Theme(s):
Family, Earth Science, Nature
Personal Response
This book was different from any book I have read before, and I really enjoyed it. It takes something as simple as rocks and crystals and portrays it in a beautiful and significant way in order to make people more conscience and appreciative of the world around them. I never thought that rocks had stories, but this book made me realize that everything on Earth technically has its own origin story in some way. I also recognized some of the rocks and crystals from when I took Geology 101.
Teaching Ideas
I would read this to fourth graders before introducing them to earth science. This would lead to a discussion about what rocks, crystals, and minerals are. Students could discuss different types of each and describe how they differ from or are similar to one another. This could also spark discussion about how each one forms. The teacher could bring some in for students to observe. Students could also do an experiment with water, baking soda, and paper towel in order to grow their own crystals.
Recommended Reading Level
Grade 01, Grade 02, Grade 03, Grade 04
