[I received a review copy of this book from the author.  No other compensation was received.]

Journey with Falling Rock as he spends several years searching for his horse and best friend, Runs Like Thunder.  This beautiful story has incredible illustrations that make for a surreal and heartwarming experience.  The black backgrounds with white text, along with the symbolic and silhouetted paintings, will leave you feeling more like you’ve had an incredible dream than read a picture book.

My son boohooed at the end of this story!  Admittedly I was rather choked up by the end, but he was sobbing.  I asked him if he was okay, and he said through his little four-year-old tears, “I’m just so happy!”  The story is intense — a boy’s best friend is stolen and he has to go off searching for him — and the ending brought great relief and sweetness.  In subsequent readings (which have been many), there have been no tears, but lots of questions about dreams, street signs, and horses.

I love this book!  I love the paintings!  They resonate with me and how I dream — more flashes of symbols than action.  I used to ride horses and it made me miss some of my old friends.  I also love that the artwork is not what I typically see in picture books.  This artwork will appeal to children and continue to appeal to them in their teens and beyond.  This isn’t a book that will make children jump up and down and shout “again, again!” It is, however, a book that they will pick up and say, “Let’s read this one.  It’s beautiful!”

Title: Falling Rock

Author: Rebecca Heller
Illustrator:  Joyce Robertson
Surf Like a Girl Press, 2014, Fiction ISBN:  978-1500459376

Suitable For Ages: 3 -10+ and even teens and adults

Themes/Topics:

Friendship, Searching, Determination, Persistence

Opening:   

“Once there was a boy named Falling Rock who loved a horse.”

Brief Synopsis:

Falling Rock’s friend and horse, Runs Like Thunder, is stolen.  Falling Rock spends the next several years searching for his friend.  As he meets people along his journey, they help him by placing signs that say “Falling Rock” so that he knows he has already searched here.

Links To Resources: 

• Make up your own story about Falling Rock or any other street signs you see.
• Learn more about Native American Folklore: http://www.native-languages.org/legends.htm
• Take a European Road Sign Quiz: http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/european-road-sign-quiz
• Interpret your dreams:  http://www.dreammoods.com/dreamdictionary/

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From Falling Rock by Rebecca Heller and Illustrated by Joyce Robertson

From Falling Rock by Rebecca Heller and Illustrated by Joyce Robertson

Why I Like This Book:

• This is a great story that is both well told and beautifully illustrated.
• It’s a great book to read around a fire either indoors or out.
• The illustrations could easily hang in a gallery as their own show.
• It will leave you feeling more like you’ve had an incredible dream than read a picture book.
• Every time we see the Falling Rock sign on the road, we think of this book.  “Ut!  Falling Rock was here!”
• I love Falling Rock’s determination and persistence in the face of near-impossibility to find his friend.
• This book inspired a great conversation with my son about dreams.  He asked me if I had ever had a dream about a horse and sure enough I have.
• Since reading this book, he’s been waking up and telling me about his dreams.  (My favorite being, “Oh Mama!  I had a dream that a beautiful woman was driving an excavator — but she drove away!  I was so sad!”  I promise you, this is word for word.)
• This is a perfect story for anyone who is trying to get something or someone back that they’ve lost.

Where to Get it:

• [Affiliate Link] Amazon.com
• [Library] Worldcat.org — Ask Your Library to Get a Copy!
• [Independent Bookstore] Indiebound.org

Author/Illustrator Websites:

• http://rebeccaheller.com/falling-rock/

More Reviews of this Book:

• http://www.wanderingeducators.com/best/stories/falling-rock.html (Excellent review and interview!)
• http://marissakennerson.com/2014/12/02/rebecca-hellers-latest-childrens-book-falling-rock/ (Also an excellent review and interview!)

Where Obtained:  I received a review copy from one of the authors. No other compensation was received.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”