Book Review of Can a Rock Grow?
The Children’s Book Review
Can a Rock Grow?
Written and Illustrated by Audrey Sauble
Ages: 4-8 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Larch Books (2026) | ISBN: 978-1-946748-28-7
What to Expect: Geology, STEM, earth science, rocks, nature exploration, interactive learning.
Can a Rock Grow? by Audrey Sauble is an engaging early science picture book that introduces young readers to the fascinating ways rocks form, change, and break down over time.
Have you ever wondered where rocks come from or whether they can actually grow? In Can a Rock Grow?, children explore the dynamic life cycles of rocks, from magma cooling into basalt to trees changing into fossils and cave formations slowly collecting minerals. Along the way, the book reveals how natural forces like wind, water, ice, and plant roots break rocks apart, while introducing foundational geology concepts, key vocabulary, and interactive activities for young rockhounds.
Audrey Sauble’s prose is accessible and engaging for early elementary readers. By asking direct, curiosity-sparking questions, the text invites children to actively think about natural processes rather than passively absorbing facts. Scientific terminology—such as igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary, weathering, and erosion—is introduced naturally and supported by a helpful glossary and hands-on STEM activities at the back.
As both author and illustrator, Sauble presents clear visual examples alongside the text, helping young learners visually connect concepts like hexagon-shaped basalt, layered shale, bubbly pumice, and fossilized trees to the real world. The included outdoor scavenger hunt and rock test kit illustrations further encourage kids to bridge the gap between reading and hands-on outdoor exploration.
Can a Rock Grow? is an exceptional educational resource that turns a simple question into an exciting geological adventure—best suited for curious young readers, parents, and elementary educators looking to introduce foundational STEM concepts through fun and accessible storytelling.
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About the Author
Audrey Sauble is a children’s author and science illustrator with a passion for exploring nature through picture books. She started writing picture books several years ago after her oldest asked a question that turned into a conversation. Her new release, Can a Rock Grow?, is the third book in her Early Science Questions series.
Audrey loves to spark kids’ curiosity and wonder through her work. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family (who also love reading and even agree to join her for bug watching, nature journaling, and other outdoor shenanigans at times).
Learn more at www.aesauble.com.
