Rock and Roll

In the mountains, Rock and Roll are two boulders: Rock is the flat one, Roll in contrast stands tall. For untold years thus they’ve stood, proud of their stature and endurance, and wondering by day and by night and through all the seasons, at the incredible beauty of the world.

But then things change: humans come to visit and with them they bring such adornments as flags and bunting as well as small stones. It’s not long however before the two boulders begin to begrudge each other’s new look. Roll grumbles to the wind about Rock’s flags while Rock in turn comments most unfavourably to a cloud about Roll’s crown, the consequence being a fracas between the recipients of the grumbles. A vicious storm ensues with thunder and lightning that strikes both boulders, sending them hurtling down the mountainside and rending them asunder until finally there’s nothing remaining of them save small fragments. The disharmony has dissipated and instead there is contentment and a willingness to share those things that caused all the ado.

With themes of jealousy and the consequences thereof, and of being comfortable within yourself, Hazel Terry has created a thought-provoking modern fable. So beautiful are her illustrations that it’s hard to believe that this is her debut picture book: her scenes truly celebrate the natural world in all its glory, and with fossil prints on every page, it’s a book to read over and over, and one that will make you stop and savour each awesome tableau.