  | Hidden gem Author: Liu, Linda | |
| Price: $23.28 | ||
Summary:
In a world full of glittering crystals, geodes, and gemstones, one pebble finds it hard to love his dull and gray exterior. And after a trip to the Museum of Rocks, he fails to see himself represented in the institution's regal halls. Until he finds a sign for the World's Most Beautiful Gem. In the sparkling, gorgeous facets of a gigantic diamond, he sees something beautiful: his own reflection.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: LG Reading Level: 1.60 Points: .5 Quiz: 521977 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (05/01/23)
School Library Journal (+) (08/25/23)
Booklist (07/23/23)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/07/23)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 08/25/2023 PreS-Gr 1—Liu's debut picture book introduces readers to a basic gray rock with green undertones who is happy just being a rock. No gender necessary, this rock narrates likes and dislikes. "I rock and I roll and I tumble." After reading about the most beautiful gem in the world, self doubt sets in for the rock, who goes to the museum to view the precious stone. "Is the me that I see the best I can be?" What transpires in Liu's iridescent illustrations is a journey to the heart of identity, all within a museum's stroll. The narrator sees shinier stones, and gemlike pieces, but catching a glimpse of a reflection, understands the truth. "I found myself and now I see…that being special is being me!" Liu has created a delightful, reflective, rhyming, and engaging book for emerging readers. Her illustrations at first glance look simple, but are unassumingly detailed with social justice, racial, and gender identity connections that allow parents and teachers to talk about inclusion, tolerance, and acceptance within the context of the story, that can easily transfer to daily life and interactions. VERDICT Children will enjoy having this book read to them and reading it themselves.—Laura Ellis - Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 07/23/2023 A rock, somewhat plain, somewhat ordinary, wonders about rocks that others find beautiful. What would it take to be like them? Quietly addressing the power of influencers and others’ opinions, the rock wanders a museum of rocks and considers the nature of beauty. It sees rocks in many different shapes, forms, and colors. It marvels at their uniqueness or special attributes. Instead of looking at itself with positivity, the rock wonders how it should change itself to be more like others. When it sees a glorious diamond, however, the rock finally understands. Viewing its own reflection in the shiny diamond helps the rock reframe its approach and appreciate what it has to offer. A curving stripe on the rock’s surface subtly takes on a more golden hue as it begins to value itself, offering a physical manifestation of its inner development. The illustrations, using watercolors and digital tools to present the rocks with expressive eyes, add humor to the serious topic. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.
