Byrd Baylor (1924–2021)

I love this book. I like the rules that tell the reader to trust her instincts about what feels right physically and aesthetically when it comes to choosing a rock. I like the fact that there are rules for choosing a rock. And the underlying assumption that a carefully chosen rock is better than an expensive toy for reasons so obvious they don't need mentioning; although the author does mention that the rock chosen is a friend. Finally, I like the spare black line drawings with shades of brown.

A low-key, dryly funny book of sensible advice on how to choose your very own rock. I'm not sure it has much to do with geology, other than celebrating the diversity of size, shape, texture, smell, and appearance in the rocks you find as you search, but it's a lovely, slow, solitary sort of book. People who hate solitude will likely find it boring and empty, but I find it redolent of nostalgia (I used to spend a lot of time looking for rocks) and replete with possibility (I may well look for show more rocks again in the future). show less

Not my favorite by this team, but of course still wonderful. The verse isn't quite as poetic, the appeal is stronger for hunters of fossils & less universal, and some of the pictures seem a little, I dunno, inside-out or something. However, perfect for many curricular applications, and a must read for fans of Baylor & Parnall.

The reminders of certains truths, for example that deep time is more 'real' than the blue pickup truck, is necessary to young readers. I hope young dinosaur fans are show more still exposed to, and inspired by, this classic. show less

This is a wonderful book and it is NOT children's book (unlike the rest of her writing). Unless you think children need to read about real world poverty, prejudice, and hopelessness and despair which lead to alcoholism. Despite the subject matter, and despite Byrd's anglo heritage, this book sensitively portrays the connection of a Papago woman to the natural world, and the cultural outlook of the Papago which sees social relationships in such a different way from the anglo social workers.
We show more are introduced to many people who live in a slum in a large unnamed city near the Papago reservation. The time frame appears to be the late 1960s-early 1970s.Maria Vasquez's rented house has just been condemned and she and her children have no option but to sleep in it's backyard. Welfare won't give her any money because now she doesn't have an address, but her neighbor, Elma Dominguez, lets her use her address. Mrs Dominguez makes money from selling her handcrafted baskets, but she is also short of funds, has been unable to roof her adobe house, and needs to improve her 'temporary' shack to welfare standards so her grandchildren won't be put in foster homes while their mother is under psych care. Quite an interesting story as the Papagos attempt to live their lives under anglo strictures. Baylor's biography indicates she worked for a short time as a social worker, and it is easy to imagine her poking fun at herself in her portrayal of the new social worker, Sue Mills.
The delicate stippled artwork by Leonard Chana is beautiful. show less