I get a lot of questions here at Mini Me Geology about rock and mineral books. While I write all of our books about the identification of rocks and minerals, one book that I will not attempt is a compilation of every rock and mineral type known. Why? Because there are so many fabulous books already out there. I have several sitting on my bookshelf that I truly love so here is my list just in case you want to add to your own rock and mineral book library.
Smithsonian Rock and Gem – This is a big book and a little on the expensive side but if you want fabulous images this is the one for you!
The Encyclopedia of Gemstones and Minerals – The version I have of this book is fairly old, but has tons and tons of fun information.
Simon & Schuster’s Guide to Rocks & Minerals – This is a classic for anyone who is thinking of a career in geology. I love this book for reference information. If you just want a fun book with great images I’d go with the Smithsonian book but for true, diehard rockhounds, Simon & Schuster’s is for you.
A Golden Nature Guide: Rocks and Minerals – The version I have of this book is really old, older than I am actually, but I love this little book. My copy is stamped $2.95!
A Golden Nature Guide: Fossils – If you are in to fossils, this Golden Guide is a great starter book. My version is from the early 1960’s and at $1.95 was a total bargain. I wonder why the fossil guide was cheaper than the rock and mineral guide?
1000 Facts on Rocks and Minerals – This book is great for younger kids and students who like rocks but are not too interested in super technical details.
Help, I Have to Teach Rock and Mineral Identification and I’m Not a Geologist! – This is my book that I wrote to help teachers and home school parents explain the concepts of rock and mineral identification to school-age kids. I divided the book into sections of minerals and then each rock type. Within those sections, I explain how to teach your kids and students how to identify samples and I also give you sample groups that you can use for different ages. Find out more about this book at Mini Me Geology.
So that is my bookshelf. Okay, so I have a bunch of books and notebooks from college and graduate school too, but I doubt you’d be interested in those or if you are a geologist too, I bet you’ve read them!
If you have any questions about these books or need a recommendation for yourself, a child or a friend, please email me and I’ll help you out!
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I get a lot of questions here at Mini Me Geology about rock and mineral books. While I write all of our books about the identification of rocks and minerals, one book that I will not attempt is a compilation of every rock and mineral type known. Why? Because there are so many fabulous books already out there. I have several sitting on my bookshelf that I truly love so here is my list just in case you want to add to your own rock and mineral book library.– This is a big book and a little on the expensive side but if you want fabulous images this is the one for you!
– The version I have of this book is fairly old, but has tons and tons of fun information.
– This is a classic for anyone who is thinking of a career in geology. I love this book for reference information. If you just want a fun book with great images I’d go with the Smithsonian book but for true, diehard rockhounds, Simon & Schuster’s is for you.
– The version I have of this book is really old, older than I am actually, but I love this little book. My copy is stamped $2.95!
– If you are in to fossils, this Golden Guide is a great starter book. My version is from the early 1960’s and at $1.95 was a total bargain. I wonder why the fossil guide was cheaper than the rock and mineral guide?
– This book is great for younger kids and students who like rocks but are not too interested in super technical details.
– This is my book that I wrote to help teachers and home school parents explain the concepts of rock and mineral identification to school-age kids. I divided the book into sections of minerals and then each rock type. Within those sections, I explain how to teach your kids and students how to identify samples and I also give you sample groups that you can use for different ages. Find out more about this book at Mini Me Geology.
– *Fiction Alert* – Yes, this is shameless plug for my middle grade (8-12 year old) fiction book that is based on geology, adventure and has a touch of time travel and excitement. This is book #1 of the upcoming five book series. Find out more about this book at Mini Me Geology.
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