Ricky, the Rock That Couldn't Roll (You Rock Group) – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Ricky, the Rock That Couldn't Roll (You Rock Group)

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2018

89%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

A rhyming tale about a flat-sided rock and the friends who refuse to leave him at the top of the hill.

Ricky, the Rock That Couldn't Roll (You Rock Group)

book

2018

89%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

A rhyming tale about a flat-sided rock and the friends who refuse to leave him at the top of the hill.

4.8

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Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

This is a solid addition to the 'social-emotional learning' shelf that doesn't feel like a lecture. It’s got that Dr. Seuss rhythm that makes it easy to read aloud, and the message about inclusion is handled with a light touch.

It’s not going to reinvent the picture book genre, but it’ll definitely make your kid a bit more thoughtful about the 'flat-sided rocks' in their own classroom. If you're tired of the same three books on repeat, this is a high-quality alternative that actually leaves them with something to think about.

Age Fit

Best for the 3 to 7 crowd. While the publisher says up to 11, most 4th graders will find the 'rolling rocks' concept a bit too babyish for their taste.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It is a textbook example of emotionally healthy content. The story centers entirely on kindness, collective problem-solving, and ensuring no one gets left out, all delivered with a gentle, supportive tone.

Imaginative

While anthropomorphizing rocks is a well-worn trope, the use of verse and the specific physical problem-solving (how to make a flat rock roll) invites kids to think about physics and creative solutions.

Safe

100

It's a picture book about rocks. There is zero risk of inappropriate content, violence, or scary themes. It is as safe as media gets.

Enriching

It does a great job teaching empathy and perseverance. It moves beyond 'be nice' and shows kids that inclusion often requires effort and thinking outside the box.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

It’s a masterclass in teaching empathy without being annoying about it.
The 'You Rock Group' characters are distinct enough for kids to pick favorites.
It tackles the 'I can't do what everyone else is doing' feeling that hits hard in preschool and kindergarten.
The rhyming cadence makes it a predictable and comforting read-aloud for bedtime.

⚠

What to Watch For

The illustrations are a bit of a 'love it or hate it' situation—some parents find the digital art style a little stiff compared to hand-drawn classics.
The rhyme scheme is mostly solid, but you might stumble on a couple of lines if you're reading it while half-asleep.

Conversation Starters

"Why did the other rocks want to help Ricky instead of just rolling without him?"
"Have you ever felt like Ricky when everyone else was doing something you couldn't do yet?"
"What's something we could build to help a friend who moves differently than we do?"
"Which rock in the group would you want to be friends with?"

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