This list of picture books about rocks proves that there are a lot of valuable and unexpected lessons that can be learned from rocks and stones. Check out these popular children’s books about rocks for kids that elementary teachers often use as picture book read alouds in the classroom!
5 Picture Books about Rocks
Below is a list of some of our favorite picture books about rocks for kids at the elementary level. Check them out below!
1. Ricky, The Rock That Couldn’t Roll by Jay Miletsky
Ricky, The Rock That Couldn’t Roll by Dav Pilkey takes place on a green, grassy hill where rocks come to play. All of the rocks there have fun rolling down the hill. However, there is one rock that does not roll. His name is Ricky and he can’t roll because he is flat on one side. All of the other rocks have fun rolling down hills but Ricky isn’t able to join in. Because he is not like the others, he is forced to sit on the sidelines. His friends work together to find a way to help Ricky roll so that he can join in the fun. They try many different solutions without success. Finally, one of the rocks comes up with a way to make Ricky round so he can roll like the rest of them. He is finally able to join in on all the fun rolling down the hill like his friends.
Check out these Ricky, The Rock That Couldn’t Roll lessons and activities to help you plan and deliver highly engaging interactive read aloud lessons!
2. Stone Soup by Marcia Brown
Stone Soup by Marcia Brown tells the story of three soldiers on their way home from war. Tired and hungry, the soldiers decide to stop in a village in search of food and a place to sleep. The villagers see the soldiers coming and begin to hide all their food because they too are hungry. After stopping at many houses in search for food, the soldiers stop. They announce to the villagers that they will make Stone Soup. The curious villagers gather around the soldiers to see what they are going to do.
As they start making the soup the soldiers begin asking for different ingredients: first salt and pepper, then carrots, and eventually beef. Each time, villagers run back home to get the ingredients they’d hidden. Soon enough, the soldiers made a large, delicious soup. Together, the villagers and soldiers put together a feast and spend the night eating and dancing. Grateful for what the soldiers taught them, the villagers let them stay the night in the best beds in the village. Stone Soup is a great story to teach sharing and kindness.
Check out these Stone Soup lessons and activities to help you plan and deliver highly engaging interactive read aloud lessons!
3. The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors by Drew Daywalt
The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors by Drew Daywalt is a hilarious and action packed story that children are sure to love. This book tells the story of how the game Rock, Paper, Scissors came to be. Each warrior (Rock, Paper, Scissors) was frustrated because they could not find someone able to beat them in battle. Each set off on a journey outside their home to find an equal match. In the end, the three warriors became friends because they each met a match and loved battling one another.
Check out these The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors lessons and activities to help you plan and deliver highly engaging interactive read aloud lessons!
4. Sylvester and The Magic Pebble by William Steig
Sylvester and The Magic Pebble by William Steig is a humorous story that shows the power of love between a family. One day, Sylvester the donkey came across a fiery red pebble. He realized that if he is holding the pebble, any wish he makes will come true! As he was walking home, a lion appeared. Sylvester panicked, and wished he was a rock to be safe. He quickly learned that by being a rock, he would be unable to wish himself back to a donkey.
After overcoming a series of obstacles, Sylvester realizes that his family is the most important wish he could have. This book is an excellent mentor text for social and emotional lessons about patience, gratitude, and feelings of loneliness. Filled with reflection, love, and morals, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is a story great for children and adults alike!
Check out these Sylvester and The Magic Pebble lessons and activities to help you plan and deliver highly engaging interactive read aloud lessons!
5. Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld
Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld is about Stick and Stone, who are always both alone. One day, while Stone was playing on the playground, Pinecone came and made fun of stone. Then, Stick came out and vanished Pinecone away. Finally, Stick and Stone had a friend!
That is, until one day a hurricane came. Stick was windblown and Stone could not find him. He searched day and night, until he came upon a puddle. In the puddle was his dear friend! From then on, Stick and Stone were always together until the end.
Check out these Stick and Stone lessons and activities to help you plan and deliver highly engaging interactive read aloud lessons!
Grab the Free Reading Resources!
In closing, we hope you found this list of picture books about rocks helpful! They are part of our Starts With a Story collection. If you want to get more book ideas to read aloud to your elementary students, then grab this reading freebie. It includes read aloud books lists, reading logs, and reading challenges for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classroom teachers. It will have you covered for the entire school year, as well as the summer months! Grab this free elementary reading packet now!
