A Guide to Rocks

'A Guide to Rocks' is not really about rocks. This is a touching and at times confronting look at masculinity in Aotearoa. Charlie and his Dad live in the suburbs, one day as Charlie is trying to process some complex emotions a rock appears in his hands. When he asks his Dad about it his Dad explains that we don’t talk about rocks and shows him The Guide to Rocks. The guide is about emotions and how historically in New Zealand we have taught boys and young men to hide their feelings and not talk about what is bothering them.

Sacha Cotter and Josh Morgan are dealing with some heavy themes and their bright and playful signature style contrasts really well with the tenser moments. The dialogue is recognisably New Zealand and even when discussing tricky stuff there are moments of clever humour.

The story is resolved when the weight of emotions becomes too much for both Charlie and Dad and they are forced to confront and process their emotions together. Together they agree to change the guidebook. This is an original and deeply poignant story told really well. It could have been too jokey or too schmaltzy but Cotter and Morgan have found the perfect balance. It is longer than some picture books and does pull at the heartstrings but the metaphors are easy to follow and kids want and need to see stories like this. This will open up conversations about how we relate to each other and what we value as a society, vulnerability doesn’t equal weakness.