(There are surprises here!) Using space and non-geometric shapes, Parnall evokes the natural environs and place of the desert southwest. Each illustration (except the final page) is a two page spread accompanying one narrow column of Baylor's prose. Together they communicate the theme of solitude in a special place. Parnall uses pen and ink line drawings to effectively extend and enhance Baylor's well-voiced prose-whimsical seriousness. In following readings I enjoyed this 'visit' to the desert southwest-a cousin to my geographical/spiritual home on the western high plains. The first time I read this book I was focused on the prose and the connection I felt with the girl and her feelings about rocks. She then proceeds to give us ten whimsical, yet serious, rules for finding our own special rock to keep-'maybe forever.'

Summary: A young girl in the desert southwest tells us that everyone needs a rock for a friend. Some of what she says is just lovely, but the idea of giving specific instructions for this activity, an activity that’s joyful, in part, because everybody has a different way of doing it and different things of importance about it and about their rock(s), well, that part didn’t work for me that well. The instructions the girl gives, even though she gives some leeway to the reader, I find both appealing and unappealing. They’re all in tans, blacks, whites, and the style is so interesting, and I particularly liked the pictures within other pictures. The pictures are highly unusual and I really enjoyed them. (Although I do remember buying some rocks and well as finding rocks.) I also like how the girl stresses play with her rock can be more fun than playing with the kinds of things that have to be purchased. And, some kids who enjoy the natural world might appreciate it because it stresses their autonomy in the pursuit of choosing a rock of their very own. Well, this is a wonderful nostalgic book for adults who collected rocks when they were kids I’m one of them.

Everybody Needs a Rock by Byrd Baylor