Author: Esther Bender. Illustrator: Mary Anne Lard. Publisher: Morehouse (Ages 3-6). 32 pages. 7x10 Color Illustration. Hardcover. ISBN: 0-8192-1902-9. Price: $14.95.

Description

The wonderful tale of a farmer who, by being grateful, turns a rock-filled farm into the most fertile for miles around.

Author's Comments

There were rocks on my other Grandpa's farm—a huge, shallow cone of rocks as though a meteorite had plunged from heaven and shattered right where it landed. In the Casselman River Valley where Grandpa lived, there were more rocks from which men built the Great Stone Bridge on the first National Road. I struggled for many days to write a story about rocks. Finally, one evening I sat down and wrote Thank God for Rocks nonstop. I was surprised at the story I had written, and haven't revised it much since then.

Reviews

"The title alone made me want to open the pages. Written in parable style, Thank God for Rocks is perfect for young readers to listen and follow along or elementary readers to read out loud. The inspiring story of a farmer and his family who buy a rocky-soiled farm will inspire readers to make the best of every situation and thank God in all things. The illustrations—drawn in a dreamy style—leave room in the imagination, yet give enough definition to make the characters almost real enough to touch. By the end of the story, you'll wish you lived on the rocky farm with the thankful family—making your own project with the rocks God blessed them with."

— Becky Pummell, CBA Marketplace, March 2003

"Entertaining to read, Esther Bender's picture book also imparts lessons on the importance of perseverance, positive thinking and praising God at all times."

— Sharon Sheridan, freelance writer and editor and frequent contributor to Episcopal Life, Episcopal Life, April 2003

"Beautiful colored chalk illustrations fill the pages and complement the fairy-tale tone of the book. This is an excellent example of the quality of gratitude, and it will make a great read-aloud."

— Christian Schools International