A Pocket Full of Rocks by Kristin Mahoney and E.B. Goodale - NO

A Pocket Full of Rocks by Kristin Mahoney and E.B. Goodale. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2025. $19. 9780593428542

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - NOT RECOMMENDED

APPEALS TO: SOME

A child gathers rocks in his pocket during the winter, petals in the spring, shells in the summer, and acorns in the fall.  His family tells him why he shouldn’t, but he continues for his own reasons, including using each item for the fairies his imagination finds in the forest.

The pudgy androgynous fairies were an odd choice for me, especially since they were naked in the winter, but used blankets in the spring and hats in the fall. I didn’t find the fairy illustrations delightful, as I usually do, instead they were off-putting. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS