Did you have a favorite toy as a child? Where is that beloved toy now? If it is within your heart and memory, it will always be a part of you. Rockrhydin touches the hearts of children and adults with its portrayal of friendship, family, and the transforming power of love.
Rockrhydin
A few days before Christmas, Jon Michael’s father discards, Rockrhydin, his son’s old rocking horse. Although Jon Michael has outgrown Rockrhydin, he quietly goes to his bedroom and cries. As for Rockrhydin, he finds himself standing in a dump, his rickety rockers buried in snow. Despairing of seeing Jon Michael again, he is about to shut his eyes forever when Tanyabelle, the Keeper of Christmas Wishes, appears to offer him a wish, but is it one that Rockrhydin can accept?
| Hardcover Book – $13.95 ISBN 978-0-578-12763-7 |
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| Audio Book – $7.99 (Includes Theme Song) |
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| Theme Song – $0.99 | [add_to_cart id=”1334″] | |
| eBook (Kindle Fire) – $3.99 | [add_to_cart id=”1335″] |
The Mom’s Choice Awards Names Rockrhydin Among the best in Family-Friendly Products!
When a boy and his rocking horse are separated, they discover that Christmas wishes haven’t any “nevers”. Author Cheryl Elizabeth Waddell tells this endearing story in a classic style that evokes emotion, touching the hearts of both children and adults. Beautifully illustrated in detailed watercolor paintings by Janice Prey Wolfe, this is a charming children’s picture book about friendship, family and the transforming power of love.
Included with the book is a link to the downloadable theme song, written and performed by children’s entertainer, Fern Carver Michonski, that captures the rhythm and joy of riding a rocking horse.
If you have any other questions, please email Fern at: Fern@fernsmusicforkids.com.
Book Reviews
We Just Love This Book!, October 22, 2013
By Marc Erwin Braun – See all my reviews
I purchased this book last Christmas for my cousin who is a proud mom of three little ones. She just loved the story, the incredibly beautiful drawings and the theme song. Especially when kids are too young to read the book themselves they love to look at the illustrations and listen to the song. This year I have ordered two more books for my co-workers who both have little ones….. and so this books keeps on giving and hopefully one day it will become a classic…. it deserves it. This is not your ordinary children’s picture book.
I love this book!!, October 17, 2013
By Brian Nicoll – See all my reviews
Such a great Christmas book to read to the little one. Very heart warming!! I highly recommend this book to all young families.
Excellent book that my kids love!, October 15, 2013
By Annette – See all my reviews
My kids love this book! They love to look at all of the illustrations and to read along with me.
Awesome!, October 6, 2013
By Halina – See all my reviews
I love this book! It is enchanting and captivating. I read it two times in a row to fully appreciate it. The whimsical images are awesome! I want a Rockrhydin 11!
A Christmas Tradition, September 19, 2013
By Marian – See all my reviews
The perfect gift for both parents and children…This book will be remembered as a Christmas tradition,long after it is safely boxed up for the next generation of readers.
Rockrhydin Happy, September 18, 2013
By hop – See all my reviews
A great children’s book. Delightful from beginning to end. It is a pleasure to read to the children in the office. Great illustrations. Leaves you with a happy feeling. Love it!!!
A wonderful gift for children, September 17, 2013
By Lilin – See all my reviews
My kids love the story and the theme song by Fern. The illustrations are most beautiful. Rockrhydin is a perfect gift for children at Christmas time.
A sweet Christmas tale…, September 17, 2013
By Janine Wilson “Janine Wilson” (Washington, DC) – See all my reviews
I bought this book for a cousin’s child and gave it a read before sending it off – it was such a sweet story. I love Christmas and while reading the story it reminded me of how my Grandmother would give me and my sister a different ornament every year. I still have some of them and look forward to unwrapping them every Christmas. I wish we could have ornaments of other pieces of our childhood that have been lost or left behind reluctantly. This is a wonderful book and would delight any child young or old!
Fantastic book for the Christmas season!!, September 16, 2013
By Kristy G. Earl “Kristy” (CT) – See all my reviews
My 3 children and I read this book and fell in love with it!!!! It is pretty neat to be able to download the song that goes with this book and hear your piano teacher singing it!! This book and song are a great combination and the perfect gift for the holiday season!
Christmas Glory, September 16, 2013
By JoAnne – See all my reviews
What a truly delightful book. I read it to my granddaughter and she was enthralled. I was asked to read it over and over. It is a beautiful story with beautiful illustrations.
Very sweet!, September 15, 2013
By LewisFam – See all my reviews
This is a very sweet Christmas story. It brought me back to my childhood when toys were friends. I can’t wait to read this story with my boys as they grow up. I think reading Rockrhydin at christmas time will become a family tradition. I haven’t heard the song yet, but I’m going to order it right now….
Sweet and Touching, September 13, 2013
By Thomas W. Myers (Chicago, IL USA) – See all my reviews
This is such a lovely story of how we grow and how we keep things in our hearts. My children love this story and it moves me every time I read it with them. It’s a good message and it pushes no agenda nor espouses no particular belief other than that Christmas magic does exist and that we can keep the things we love from childhood in our hearts forever. I expect lots of of ornament inspection of the tree for years to come.
Special Book, September 11, 2013
By Nana E – See all my reviews
Purchased this book for my 2 grandsons…ages 2 and 4. I am delighted to add this book to their bedtime story collection. The story is a thoughtful message about toys and their importance in children’s lives…especially the most favorite ones. I think that this book will be a favorite for years to come.
Hearwarming, September 5, 2013
By Cindy M – See all my reviews
I bought this book for my grandson. He loves to read books with his mom. I was very pleased with the story line. It is such a heartwarming story and I know it will be a favorite story for my little man. All children should have this book to cherish.
Great, August 28, 2013
By Sandy – See all my reviews
Rockrhydin is a wonderful story. Its message was simple and heart warming. I have two boys and they both walked away, happy and delighted to read and hear the adventure. We own our own copy and the boys purchased a book for each of their cousins. Truly a classic!
Childhood memories, August 28, 2013
By jaybird – See all my reviews
This is a wonderful book. It is one that any mother should buy for a boy or girl. It reminded me of cherished childhood objects. A riding horse has always been a special toy for a child.
Love this book !!!, August 27, 2013
By ehp – See all my reviews
Son was given this book as a gift, after reading it to him. Fell in love with the story. Got several copies to give as gifts to friends and relatives with kids.
GREAT BOOK, August 23, 2013
By gpo – See all my reviews
Great Book!!!! I enjoyed reading to my son and his cousins. Wonderful Christmas message. Will absolutely buy more copies as gifts for any occasion!
Christmas story for all ages, August 21, 2013
By Pat – See all my reviews
Rockrhydin is a wonderful Christmas story for all ages. I received a copy of this book before it was published and read it to my second grade class for many years. Year after year it was the favorite Christmas story. The published book with the wonderful illustrations is timeless in its wonderful message.
An Excellent Children’s Picture Book!, August 21, 2013
By Bob Stoddard – See all my reviews
Reminiscent of the skin horse in the famed tale “The Velveteen Rabbit,” Rockrhydin, the delightful protagonist of Cheryl Elizabeth Waddell’s tale “Rockrhydin,” once again shows us all–children and adults alike–how toys can indeed become “real.” Rockrhydin, however, takes the act of devotion even further by physically changing to be with the child who loves him. The message here is clear: one must sometimes adapt to the situation, especially when it concerns someone whom one loves. The personification of a simple toy (a rocking horse) delivers this theme very effectively.
I have used this story with my students–kindergartners through college students–and all have been equally enchanted. The children have listened intently, and the college students have given the tale rave reviews. The message is very evident: sometimes we have to change, but the magic and love of childhood need not be lost.
Bob Stoddard
Instructor of Children’s Literature
and
Library Acquisitions Manager
Holyoke Community College
Holyoke, Massachusetts
Wonderful story and an excellent gift!!, August 20, 2013
By Jonathan F – See all my reviews
A wonderful story to read! Love the childhood memories that never go away and when return and are held so close.
Lovely, August 18, 2013
By Michael G. Hecht (East Granby, CT USA) – See all my reviews
This is a lovely book that will be enjoyed for generations to come! My children were captivated while I read this beautiful story to them.
Rockrhydin, August 18, 2013
By Jana – See all my reviews
A fantastic book. A must read for Children and Their parents. Enlightening and exciting extremely insightful into human nature. Enjoy!
Magical book!, August 18, 2013
By RWN – See all my reviews
Beautiful book, I bought three, one for my children, and gifts for nieces and nephews. The story of Rockrhydin is a very sweet story about the magic of Christmas. Fern’s song that is downloadable with this purchase is also wonderful. She has a soothing, ethereal voice that all my children have loved. You will not be disappointed with this book, it is sure to become a book that you will want to read over and over again to your loved ones.
A return to my youth, August 18, 2013
By The Postman – See all my reviews
I loved Rockrhydin on many different levels. For one, I had a rocking horse as a boy but had forgotten about it until reading this. I rode him like it was the Kentucky Derby before I passed him on to my brother Tom, the next in line. But alas, I never said a proper goodbye or found a way to bring the things of my youth into adulthood with me. That is, until I read Rockrhydin. It sent me down memory lane to the many things I outgrew without so much as a nod to their onetime importance in my life. It taught me the lesson that I can easily find some small way, a Christmas ornament perhaps, to memorialize things that I loved and would still love today if I would only stop and remember. Rockrhydin gave me the gift of remembering, and its one I’ll never forget.
What a Gem!!!, August 15, 2013
By Chris Haynes – See all my reviews
What a lovely little book! It is such a sweet Christmas story, especially in a time when hollywood seems to be obsessed with making Christmas movies about bumbling idiots and millionaire children. They should make a movie out of this!Also – what a nice song to go with it!
Pure Delight, August 14, 2013
By Jar – See all my reviews
An absolutely wonderful book. I enjoyed the story immensely. I don’t have small children but purchased it as gifts for relatives and friends.
Wonderful memories, August 13, 2013
By Kathy B. – See all my reviews
The story of Rockrhydin is one that has stayed with me for a long time. I read this book when it first came out because it was a different twist on a child’s book. Now mind you I do not have grandchildren (as of yet), but I purchased this book to start my collection of books for when that lovely day arrives! I can’t wait to share this with my grandchildren because it is such a sweet story told from the eyes and heart of a child. It made me remember what has happened to some of my most prized toys from when I was young. It is a must read in my mind!
Magical!, August 13, 2013
By Nora – See all my reviews
What a sweet story that will provoke wistful memories in both young and old readers. Everyone had a toy in childhood that held great sentiment. What a great gift this would be at Christmastime maybe a few weeks before Christmas accompanied by a rocking horse ornament for the tree. Just wonderful.
Rockrhydin, August 12, 2013
By Donna Jarosz – See all my reviews
What a sweet story that will provoke wistful memories in both young and old readers. Everyone had a toy in childhood that held great sentiment. What a great gift this would be at Christmastime maybe a few weeks before Christmas accompanied by a rocking horse ornament for the tree. Just wonderful.
Wonderful, August 5, 2013
By Big fan – See all my reviews
This a wonderful book that my children love me to read to them. Further, we downloaded the song and listen to it continually during the Christmas season.
Rockrhydin, March 22, 2013
By Dr. Susan P. Berlin – See all my reviews
Although I’ve purchased scores of books from Amazon over the years, “Rockrhydin” is the first to galvanize me to write a review. I bought this beautiful, important children’s book as a special birthday gift for my young grandson. On reading it, I was startled to find that the child in me, the little girl who had read and loved “The Velveteen Rabbit” so very long ago, was suddenly stirred to life! In truth, “Rockrhydin,” a deeply moving tale about the impending separation of a young boy and his rocking horse, strikes many of the same chords struck by that classic story of a velveteen rabbit and his quest to become “real.” In Margery Williams’ beloved children’s novel, a stuffed rabbit is magically transformed into a living one by a Nursery Fairy, all because of a boy’s steadfast love for his toy. To be sure, transformations abound in “Rockrhydin” as well, but I want to suggest that it may turn out to be an even better guide for navigating the geography of childhood today than the glorious “Velveteen Rabbit.” Although both stories concern themselves with what happens to our toys when we grow up, “Rockrhydin” takes a powerful departure in the way it handles this theme. It illuminates a different kind of transformation, one that takes place not in a young boy’s plaything brought to life by a Nursery Fairy and her magic, but in the boy himself. “Rockrhydin” makes us understand that the only way for beloved toys to live on is for the child who loved them to stay alive within the grown-up yet to be – and that love and memory are the only “magic” we need for this to happen. (The accompanying “Rockrhydin” theme song sweetly captures the joyful spirit of a young child top a trusted steed!).