When You Find the Right Rock

BOOK SUMMARY

A marvelous exploration of the special relationship children find with the natural world and the fascination and friendship they find in special rocks, from poet Mary Lyn Ray and artist Felicita Sala.

Somewhere, a rock is waiting for you. One just the right color for your windowsill, or just the right shape for drawing a face. Maybe it is a rock from the heart of a mountain that will remind you of how big you are inside, too. Maybe it is a rock washed by the sea that knows all about the backs and forths and ups and downs of things.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary Lyn Ray has written many acclaimed books for children, including Stars, Pumpkins, Mud, The Thank You Book, and Go to Sleep, Little Farm. She lives in South Danbury, New Hampshire, on an old farm where there are big rocks and pocket rocks, medium-sized and big, big rocks—all just right for saying hello to.

Felicita Sala is a self-taught illustrator. She studied philosophy and languages in Australia before moving to Italy, where she worked on stop-motion animation projects. She draws inspiration from nature, children, mid-century illustration, folk art, and architecture. She lives in Rome with her husband Gianluca and their daughter, Nina.

PRAISE

“Stimulating ode to rocks…this poignant take on rocks could provide enough inspiration to transform an ordinary walk into an expedition full of observation.”
—The Gift Everyone the Best, Chronicle Holiday Gift Guide 2025

“A stunning book…stuffed with ideas, poetic musings, and more than one reason to connect with rocks wherever they are found.”
—School Library Journal, starred review

“The quiet presence of rocks can reflect the finder’s individual multitudes…”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Hardcover
44 pages
Fiction
12.3 in H | 9.4 in W | 0.4 in T | 1.1 lb