A Rainbow of Rocks – Kate DePalma

     A Rainbow of Rocks – Kate DePalma, Barefoot Books, Inc., 9781782859864, 2020

Format: (pdf) Hardcover

Rating:  1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5

 What did you like about the book? I think what I enjoyed most about this book were the amazing colors! The rocks presented were literally every single shade of the rainbow–including rocks that contained all the colors of the rainbow. There are 16 different rocks presented including claystone, ruby, sunstone, citrine, pyrite, calcite, emerald, jade, sapphire, turquoise, fluorite, amethyst, osdidion, basalt, labradorite, and bornite. The rocks are grouped according to their color and their special features are stated in a poem format. For example, “Obsidian is black and smooth as glass. Basalt’s holes come from bubbles of gas” and “Fluorite crystals look like squares.  Amethyst points up everywhere.” The back of the book provides more detailed information about the rocks featured including their shape, how light reflects through them, what they are made of, and their texture.

All of the rocks featured in this book are presented in close-up, detailed color photography against a black background. This really allows the reader to see the vibrant colors, light reflection, and texture of each rock. This detailed photography is so important because the reader can clearly understand the different features of the rocks that are mentioned in the text.

Anything you did not like about the book. Nothing

To whom would you recommend this book? This book is perfect for children over the age of three. Even though it is a book about different rocks (which might be too advanced for a three year old) it does show beautiful examples of the different colors of the rainbow. It is fun to see a color book using something other than everyday items such as food, clothing, or toys.

Who should buy this book? Public and elementary school libraries–great for a science classroom.

Where would you shelve it? Nonfiction

 Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Yes, the photography is beautiful!

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Kristin Guay, former youth services librarian.

Date of review: April 15, 2020