Petra by Marianna Coppo (from Tundra Books)

ISBN: 9780735262676
Ages 4-7 Hardcover $17.99 (US)

My thoughts: Simple illustrations. Simple text. Powerful message.

Petra - the word means: "Petra is a feminine given name. It is a feminine form of Peter, which is derived from the Greek word "petros" meaning "stone, rock". It is also a common first name in Germany, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Finland, Sweden, Macedonia, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Slovakia." 

So this story is about a rock. Small. Medium sized. Or big mountain sized. It is about identity as "Petra" looks at him/herself for his/her identity. Small as in a bird's egg. Or huge as in an unmovable mountain.

He doesn't know what he is or what he is suppose to do. So he tries different identies or activies. Until he discovers just what he is.

Cute book to help young children learn there are differences in rocks as well as differences in who we are and what we can become. Also, a little lesson in not thinking of oneself as bigger and more important than one really is.

About the book: The humorous adventures of an irresistible little rock who finds herself in constantly changing circumstances, Petra is a picture book that celebrates the power of perspective and believing in yourself.

Petra is a little rock who believes she is a mighty mountain . . . until a dog fetches her for its owner, and she is tossed into a bird's nest. A mountain? No, Petra is now an egg! An egg of the world in a world of possibility. Until she's flung into a pond, and becomes an amazing island . . . and, eventually, a little girl's pet rock. What will she be tomorrow? Who knows? But she's a rock, and this is how she rolls!

Disclosure: I received a copy as part of a contest on LibraryThing.com from the publisher. Opinions are my own, not cooerced, and freely given.