Don't be fooled by the almost too perfect retro-chic cover of a girl and a pet rock in matching red berets; this is more than another pleasant detour down memory lane. Charlotte, drawn in pen and ink, with freckles, bows and oversized wire-rimmed glasses, quickly won my heart with her passion for a pet — any pet. "Even a pig would do." So what do the kid's smugly self-congratulatory parents get her? A big gray rock, with a bow and a tag saying "You rock." Our good-natured heroine rises to the occasion, playing as best as she can with her new pet, and discovers its many virtues: good listener, easy to train, hypoallergenic.
The scenes where Charlotte figures out how to play with her rock are particularly bright and inventive, but the whole story shines, and it only gets better when we learn that this is no ordinary rock. The simple bright colors, atmospheric shadows and expressive creatures create a real sense of place, and Charlotte is consistently cheeky and adorable. Add that to the fact that the author has a real story to tell, with surprises to spare and an ending that both satisfies and keeps you guessing, and you've got a winner.
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