The Rock from the Sky
Five short chapters show simple encounters between a turtle, an armadillo, and a snake on a barren landscape defined by muted colors and a never-changing horizon line. The three converse about favorite spots to stand, take a nap, imagine the future, enjoy a sunset, and finally part ways. While they are talking a gigantic rock falls from the sky (and lands right on the turtle’s former favorite spot), an alien appears, and another gigantic rock falls. These seemingly momentous events are virtually ignored by the threesome, who go about their business in a most mundane way. The humor comes from Klassen’s verbal and visual understatement throughout, the quiet interplay among the three characters (the turtle is constantly having to amble across two double-page spreads just to be heard), and from the incongruity between the enormous actions beyond their control and the characters’ reactions (or lack thereof) to what’s going on around them. The subtle shifting of their eyes is the only indication that they are aware of the falling rocks. ©2022 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by Jon Klassen
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 4-8
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
Animals (Fiction)
Extraterrestrials
Humor
Visual Counterpoint
Publisher:
Candlewick
Publish Year: 2021
Pages: 96
ISBN: 9781536215625
CCBC Location: Picture Book, Klassen