Sand to Stone: And Back Again
And speaking of sand, "Sand to Stone and Back Again"... is a beautiful book about sandstone. Narrated by the sandstone itself, the stone compares its own origins with that of the child reader: "Ages ago, I began as a tiny grain of sand/at the bottom of the sea./ Millions of other sand crystals surrounded me./ The ocean's heavy water pressed/and pressed until finally-/we cemented into stone./ You began as one tiny cell, as small as a grain of sand./ From one cell, you became two, /then four./ Now you are made of millions of connected cells./ From one tiny cell, you became a person./ From one grain of sand, I became a mountain." These sandstone landscapes are wondrous to eyes and Flood's poetic text helps us understand the sparse beauty of stone. --The Gazette (August 2, 2009) of Cedar Rapids, IA "Reader Report" by Jacqueline Briggs MartinThe pictures in this book are wonderful. Texture and color will wow you. Oceans full of sand-dune waves and curtains of rock will surprise and delight readers of all ages. This is one you'll want to look at over and over.  --"All About Children's Books" by Sally ApokedakFor any boy or girl showing an interest in rocks or geology, "Sand to Stone" melds gorgeous photography with poetic language to tell the story of deposition and erosion in a way children of many ages can easily understand. It's a wonderful addition to the young-reader bookshelf that expresses an appreciation for the beauty of the natural world.  --Northern Arizona's Mountain Living Magazine, December 2009If you have children studying geology, or the life cycles found in nature, this would be a lovely book to read with them. It uses word poetry to match the poetry of creation.  --Whispers of Dawn BlogThe writing is lyrical, the photographs sensational. --Dolce Belleza Blog on 1/26/10