These Rocks Count!

Formento and Snow continue their series of nature-meets-numbers books with a foray into geology. Once again, Mr. Tate’s class is taking a field trip—this time, it’s to find rocks and learn their stories. “Listening” to a boulder reveals a counting narrative about rocks and minerals: “Three busy beetles chew on moss-covered stones. Four seaside mounds dry into table salt.” Snow’s inviting digital collages provide an easy entrance into the topic, though a grumpy student’s 180-degree turnaround (“ ‘Wow!’ said Amy. ‘There’s more to rocks than I thought’ ”) is a tad quick. For those who agree with classmate Eli that “Rocks rock,” an information-rich afterword dives into details about rock types, their uses, notable rock formations, and the study of rocks and volcanoes. Ages 4–7. (Mar.)