By Deb Pilutti
G.P. Putna’s Sons, 2020
Picture book, 40 pages, ages 4-8
Old Rock had been sitting in the same spot,
at the edge of a clearing
in the middle of a pine forest,
for as long as anyone could remember.
And even before that.
Spotted Beetle, Tall Pine, and Hummingbird all think that Old Rock must be bored, sitting there day after day. But as Old Rock tells his story, they begin to see that his life has been anything but boring.
A rock’s life story that is anything but boring.
Subtly confronting ageism, Old Rock (is not boring) deftly takes the reader through geological times and sprinkles in some fun rock facts. Back matter includes a timeline of Old Rock’s life
Very few picture books cover a long span of time, much less bounce back and forth between the past and present. Deb Pilutti does so with aplomb. Using cooler tones for the present and a warmer palette for flashbacks, the reader can follow the progression with ease.
Pilutti’s humor, snappy dialog, modern retro illustrations, and engaging characters infuse life and energy into what could be (but never is) a boring story about a rock.
Highly recommended for readers who are interested in geology, science, rocks, and who just like good stories. Librarians, teachers, and homeschoolers may want to utilize Old Rock for story time or lesson plans. It’s also a great addition to a home library.
Old Rock (is not boring) by Deb Pilutti gets 5 stars from this reviewer.