Connecting with Grandkids in a New Way
A new little book by a local author offers a unique opportunity for grandparents and grandkids to spend time and make memories
By Staff writers
When grandparents are looking for meaningful, fun experiences to share with their grandchildren, I suppose the options range from the ridiculous to the sublime.
If you are “a cool” grandparent and can compete in video games and other technology-based activities, you might be considered lucky.
If you share an interest in music with grandkids, there might be opportunities to go to concerts together or even play music together.
There are endless possibilities in the world of sports to spend time together whether it’s water or snow skiing, attending local sports events, traveling to major sports competitions or following favorite teams.
Grandparents and kids can create memories and bond over games like chess, checkers and dominoes, doing jigsaw puzzles or playing table games like SKIP-BO or card games like rummy or hearts.
The possibilities are endless.
Some of the best memories can be made by simply spending time and doing things together. Of course, everyone’s age, abilities and preferences help determine how that “together time” will be spent.
Do you live close to each other, see each other often or live far apart and only have brief visits? Is your goal to teach a new skill or game, explore a new interest together, share some personal experience and knowledge or just to “make a memory?”
Whatever your situation or interests, a new little book by a local author offers a unique opportunity for grandparents and grandkids to spend time and make memories “Where the Quiet Rocks Await — A Guide to Stone Stacking” by Teresa Schreiber Werth offers a gentle invitation to slow down and reconnect with nature.
Designed for readers of all ages, this visually rich and thoughtfully written book introduces the timeless outdoor practice of stone stacking as both a creative art form and a mindful experience.
This compact little book encourages children, families and adults to explore balance, patience and creativity through the simple act of stacking stones.
Using rocks of different shapes and sizes, readers are guided to experiment freely, testing strategies and discovering the quiet satisfaction that comes from building a stable stack.
The book presents stone stacking not as a competition or performance, but as a personal and peaceful interaction with the natural world. Gentle rhymes paired with stunning outdoor photography create an inviting rhythm throughout the book, making it accessible to young readers while remaining engaging for adults. Clear, step-by-step guidance introduces the fundamentals of stone stacking, helping beginners feel confident while leaving plenty of room for curiosity and exploration. Visual examples demonstrate techniques while encouraging readers to find their own approach in natural settings such as beaches, riverbanks and forest trails.
The book includes the history, terminology and best practices as well as the names of several prominent stackers and other stone stacking books.
Beyond instruction, the book celebrates the universal appeal of stone stacking. A gallery of colorful stacks created by people of all ages highlights how this simple practice crosses generations, cultures and abilities. These examples reinforce the idea that stone stacking is not about perfection, but about presence, creativity and connection to the environment.
One of the book’s most distinctive features is the Rock Stacking Journal included at the back. This interactive section invites readers to document their own creations — recording where and when each stack was built, whether it was photographed and what the experience meant to them. The journal transforms the book into an ongoing companion, encouraging reflection and memory-making long after the final page is turned. Inspired by a deep appreciation for nature and mindful play, Werth’s guide offers more than an activity — it provides a meaningful way to practice patience, focus and appreciation for the outdoors for grandkids and grandparents of all ages.