When You Find The Right Rock

When You Find the Right Rock by Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by @felicita.sala, is a lyrical & heartfelt picture book that celebrates the quiet magic of nature & the special bond children can form with the world around them. Through gentle, poetic storytelling & richly expressive illustrations, the book explores how something as simple as a rock can become a source of comfort, wonder, imagination, & belonging. It encourages young readers to slow down, observe closely, & discover meaning in everyday natural treasures, reminding us that nature can help children feel grounded, curious, creative, & deeply connected to their surroundings.

To extend the literacy experience after reading the book we explored two hands-on invitations designed to complement the story and deepen children’s connection to rocks, nature, and creativity. 

1. 
   

   Invitation to Create a Rock Collage: First, the children painted rocks onto white construction paper using Colorations® Shiny and Regular Tempera Paint. Once their paintings dried, the rocks were cut out and glued onto black construction paper to create unique rock collages. This process encouraged creativity, fine motor development, artistic expression, and a deeper appreciation for the different shapes, textures, and beauty found in rocks.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

2. Invitation to Explore Rocks with Playdough: On our trays from Discount School Supply, we set out white playdough, wooden tools, and a collection of rocks for children to explore, create, and play with. Children pressed, rolled, stacked, imprinted, and sculpted with the materials, using their imaginations to investigate the textures, patterns, and unique characteristics of rocks through hands-on sensory and loose parts play.

Through both invitations, children observed, created, and connected with the natural beauty of rocks while discovering, much like in When You Find the Right Rock, how something as simple as a rock can spark wonder, imagination, comfort, and a deeper connection to the world around them.