Something Spectacular

December 1, 2022

K-Gr 3-Books that play with our conception of time, that remind us of the vast scope of the universe and how tiny we are by that measure, are rare and wonderful. A book that does all that and is also for children is even more remarkable. Coyle begins by tracking a stone thousands of years ago, with a countdown time line at the top of the page, measuring what an unseen girl is doing in the present; this adds an interest and urgency to the annals of time. The book uses onomatopoeia well, making the journey of this ancient rock crackle and pop off the page. The use of variable fonts with those actions might be a little much-the curls and whirls of different words start to feel like an assault-but it's a detail children will likely love. The story wraps up in the present, leading to a delightful nugget of information from the author detailing "heart-rockhounds," a phrase that amplifies the book so well that it all but guarantees rereadings. VERDICT A time-and-space-spanning guidebook for young outdoor collectors, or armchair philosophers in the making.-Cat McCarrey

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