Common Sense Media Review
Big tale from a little cave is rock solid.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
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Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
A surprisingly warm friendship forms between two rocks in STALACTITE & STALAGMITE, and as they grow closer and closer together, time marches on. While one hangs from the ceiling (Stalactite) and one grows from the floor (Stalagmite), they both witness the entire history of the world. Together, they observe various creatures and events passing through their cave, from ancient trilobites to dinosaurs to bats all the way to humans. They express a bit of fear at the idea of finally "touching," but decide together that there are many more adventures to be had as one. Themes of time, change, and friendship are touched on beautifully.
Is It Any Good?
This is a special kind of story where, from the narrative to the illustrations to the message, everything just works like magic. With the slow but steady growth of two cave formations, this unexpectedly emotional tale speaks to the universal longing for companionship. The narrative is peppered with funny quips and a great mix of vocabulary words, the illustrations are whimsical and otherworldly, and the story itself encourages reflection on the nature of friendship and facing change with curiosity. It's an excellent conversation starter for families, and a gentle reminder that meaningful connections—much like the natural world we know today—take time to form.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the various life forms in the book communicate with each other. In the case of buddies Stalactite and Stalagmite, how do they make the best out of being stuck in one place?
This is a story about rock formations, but also about friendship and change. Why do you think the author chose stalactites and stalagmites to tell this story?
If you could write a sequel to the story that takes place right after Stalactite and Stalagmite join together, what would happen next?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Drew Beckmeyer
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Animals ( Wild Animals ) , STEM
- Character Strengths : Communication , Curiosity
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Atheneum Books For Young Readers
- Publication date : March 18, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Awards : Caldecott Medal and Honors , Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : January 28, 2026
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