STONE BY STONE

What can rocks reveal about the history of humankind?

A lofty poem about the different types of rock—metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary—sets the scene even before this informational picture book’s title page, launching this human history–focused geologic trek across time. Next, we explore the many ways that humans across the globe have used stone throughout history: stacked into cairns to mark the way, built into walls and fortresses, carved into iconic sculptures, and more. Visual references to real-world monuments like the Great Wall of China, the Western Wall in Jerusalem, and Sacsayhuaman Fortress in Cusco, Peru, are enriched by robust backmatter explaining the types of rock that were used and each monument’s notable historical context. Tentler-Krylov’s illustrations have a warm, textured watercolor-and-pencil feel. Earth tones are brightened by vibrant pops of color, while diagonal shafts of light and softly blurred motion create movement and atmosphere. Spare, sometimes overwrought prose makes for a serene, immersive read, though a few stanzas stretched across multiple pages slightly disrupt the flow. People featured are racially and culturally diverse.

A thoughtful look at the stories stone can tell.