Leslie Barnard Booth
children's book author


A Stone Is a Story

Follow a stone’s journey through time as it faces ice, water, wind, and scorching heat in this beautiful nonfiction picture book that is Seeds Move! meets A Stone Sat Still.
Written by Leslie Barnard Booth
Illustrated by Marc Martin
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
In Stores: October 3, 2023
Length: 40 pages
ISBN13: 9781534496941
Grades: P - 3
Ages 4 - 8
Where do rocks come from?
The answer may be more incredible than you think! After all, a stone is not just a stone: a stone is a story. Embark on a journey across time to see how one stone can change and transform, from magma under Earth's crust, to the sand swept up by a rushing river, to the very heart of the tallest mountain. Watch what happens when rain, ice, and wind mold this rock into something new, something you might even hold in your hand—something full of endless possibility.
Complete with additional information about geology and the rock cycle, this lyrical and captivating story invites readers to experience the wonder of the natural world, and to see—in every cliff, pebble, and stone—a window into Earth’s deep past.
"Providing signposts about Earth’s change from the beginning of time to the present day, Booth’s study gives energy and intrigue to objects that seem deceptively quiet and ordinary—bringing history home via one stone held in a contemporary child’s hand . . ."

"An attractive and informative option for budding geologists."
—Booklist

"The language in this book is pure poetry, a true pleasure to read aloud."
—Jilanne Hoffmann, author of A River of Dust




