These are not stone-cold biographies but lively looks at how a rock becomes—a rock. Both books combine facts with a lot of personality to draw children into the journey. And the idea that rocks are born, not made, will have children sitting up with delight for these two fact-filled but funny origin stories.

Ho, Richard. A Rock Is Born: An Epic Journey Through Time. illus. by Lily Williams. 40p. Roaring Brook. Jul. 2025. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781250749925.
K-Gr 2–The rock cycle is simply told over 130 billion years, as one rock undergoes a transformation of weathering through lava, mud, and weather, and is broken into pieces underneath sediment to be reborn. Minimal text and captions highlight how time moves slowly for the rock, even as life moves on around it. Digital illustrations are clean and rich, careful to highlight the rock as it becomes a grain of sediment and enlarging it to depict microscopic minerals and crystals. Most pages are full-bleed spreads. One spread requires readers to turn the book sideways as the rock falls into the sea; for some readers, this may throw off the rhythm. The narrative is clean and uses some scientific terms, such as magma , lava, and tectonic plates, which young children may need an assist in decoding. The text, despite the overuse of ellipses, explains the rock cycle well. Back matter includes an explanation of the three kinds of rocks and a fuller understanding of how this particular rock transitioned. That back matter is aimed at a more mature audience and lacks a glossary. Purchasers may want to consider Xelena González’s Where Wonder Grows and Heather Ferranti Kinser’s Nature Is a Sculptor to complement and supplement this title. VERDICT This is a fine additional selection for libraries in need of materials on the rock cycle. –Rachel Zuffa

Slivensky, Katie. I, Rock: A Geology Tale. illus. by Steph Stilwell. 40p. S. & S./Beach Lane. Jun. 2025. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781665940368.
Gr 1-4–Nonfiction cloaked in fiction, geology and the rock cycle are illustrated by a jovial cartoon rock with stick figure limbs as it delves into its rich four-billion-year-old story. It’s Senior Citizens Interviews Day in Luis’s classroom, and before he can share his elder stories, a quirky rock speaks out from the bottom of his shoe to share its history. Hand-drawn art features children with a variety of skin tones, although it’s the rock that takes center stage. Cartoonish expressions and bright colors adorn its face and the faces of other key figures, such as specific minerals, the Earth, volcanoes, mountains, and clouds. Clear text and the use of panels, white space, and fun-fact inserts are elegantly arranged to support the story and express facts. Through first-person narration and anthropomorphic characters, Slivensky and Stilwell insert human interest, humor, and connection. The incorporation of onomatopoeia and repetition emphasizes the rock cycle experience and reinforces scientific vocabulary. Back matter includes more geology facts, a pop quiz, and a list of sources. Most vocabulary is explained in context. VERDICT In a season with a lot of rock books, this is a must-purchase for nonfiction collections as rockhounds will delight in finding out how rocks are born. –Rachel Zuffa