The Big Red Rock

by Jess Stockham, Jess Stockham (Illustrator)

Overview

When Bif finds a big red rock blocking his way, he decides it has to go. But how? Nothing he tries will move it. Bif’s friend Bop knows some monsters who might be able to help. When none of their ingenious methods work, they all have to decide what to do next – with surprising results! A simple and comic tale about teamwork and problem solving.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781786280022
Publisher:	Child's Play-International
Publication date:	04/01/2018
Series:	Child's Play Library
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	777,063
Product dimensions:	9.70(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Jess grew up in a large family a few miles north of London and has always loved children’s picture books, especially ones that make her laugh. She became a full-time illustrator in the 1990s and has since gone on to illustrate over 50 books for children. “The Big Red Rock” is her debut author-illustrated children’s picture book.

Jess grew up in a large family in a small village a few miles north of London. After a few ups and downs and lucky breaks, she became a full-time illustrator in the 1990s. She has since gone on to win the 2008 Early Years Award and has illustrated more than fifty books for children. In 2012 Jess took time out to complete a fine art degree, and is now returning to illustration with her first author-illustrated picture book, The Big Red Rock.

Editorial Reviews

04/01/2018
PreS-Gr 1—While eating his breakfast on an early morning walk, a green monster named Bif encounters a big red rock blocking his path. Determined to continue on his way, Bif tries a variety of methods to get the rock to move, eventually resorting to kicking, pushing, and bashing it with his cereal spoon. He also tries to move it with a rolling pin, an iron, an electric saw, and even a blow torch. It's no use, the big red rock won't budge. Bif is just about to throw in the towel when his friend Bop comes along. Although he is not able to help, it seems he has an assortment of friends with peculiar talents that could be of use. Creature after creature comes along to help Bif. They try tickling, scaring, drilling, and eating the rock. This is a fun and silly book. Young listeners learn about problem-solving and teamwork through humor. The collection of monsters that make an appearance through the book are colorful and armed with amazing talents that readers might not anticipate. Kids may see the simple solution before the monsters do at the end of the book. VERDICT A fun storytime selection that young ones will enjoy.—Barbara Spiri, Southborough Library, MA

School Library Journal

2018-03-04
A little green monster is stymied by a big red rock.Small, horned Bif is walking along, munching on his breakfast cereal, when he bumps into the titular impediment, which blocks the path. Yelling at the rock doesn't cause it to move, and neither does asking it politely. Bif "kicks," "bashes," "pushes," and "pesters" the rock, to no avail. Blue Bop comes along and summons the Big Red Rock Eater, but her loose tooth prevents her from making much headway. The Small Blue Rock Singer has a powerful voice, but it can't budge the rock. Neither can the Yellow Rock Crusher, the Green Rock Driller, the Orange Rock Scarer, the Pink Rock Sucker, the Purple Rock Tickler, nor even the Big Red Rocket. The monsters give up and decide to play, dancing in a conga line and finding themselves suddenly on the other side of the rock. But now Bif wants to finish his breakfast, and that big red rock is in the way….Stockham's wry fable may leave its protagonist unenlightened, but child readers will have seen the obvious solution and will be thrilled at their perspicacity. The monsters are a totally un-frightening if snaggle-toothed bunch, benign smiles eliciting giggles rather than screams. They are defined by thick, soft, gray lines, while the rock is an imposing red blob textured by what looks like charcoal or black crayon.A daffy paean to teamwork. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews