Sylvester and the Magic Pebble: Book and CD Paperback – Picture Book, March 6, 2012

I fell in love with this book as a first grade student. It was hard covered in my 1928 built elementary school. Great story with great emotions. Moral: Be careful what you wish or and consider its ramifications on others around you before making the request. All is well that ends well in this story. Highly recommend this book.

4/1/17 Update: Apparently, this book is a frequently requested re-read by our grandsons since Christmas. The fact that I'd only just discovered this 1970 Caldecott Medal-winning book last fall amazes me, since I'd tried to invest in wonderful children's books for both my own grown sons and our three grandsons. Made me a bit sad to find it so late, and yet hopeful - there must be so many OTHER excellent books I'm not aware of just waiting for me to stumble across them... just as Sylvester Duncan stumbles across a magical, flaming red pebble in this book.Sylvester is a donkey who collects pebbles as a hobby, and the shiny red pebble he finds - when he's touching it - makes his wishes come true. But that old "be careful what you wish for" saying comes to bear when a hungry lion eyes him, and Sylvester wishes himself to become a large rock... he avoids becoming the lion's next meal, but - as a rock - he can now no longer move or speak, and the pebble lies just beyond him - he realizes that the only way he will be transformed back into a donkey would be for someone to pick up the pebble and wish for a rock to become a donkey; his recognition of the astronomically slim chance of that happening sends him into a deep depression. As time passes, his distraught parents are beside themselves with fear and sadness; many months later, resigned now to the thought that they will never see their son again, they attempt to lift their spirits by going on a picnic, Mrs. Duncan decides a large rock (Sylvester) is a good place to lay out the spread, while Mr. Duncan discovers the red pebble lying next to it, declares how much Sylvester would have enjoyed having it as part of his collection, and lays it atop the rock. Eventually Mrs. Duncan wishes aloud that Sylvester was there with him, and Sylvester - with the pebble now touching him - wishes he was himself again and... voila! He returns to his donkey form, tears, embraces, kisses, questions, answers, loving looks and fond exclamations follow. When they return home, the pebble is locked away in an iron safe because - just in being back together - "They all had all that they wanted."This is a powerful, tender story... pretty dark, but with a beautiful light at the end! Apparently the author/illustrator was deeply inspired by the story of Pinocchio during his youth, and the longing of Pinocchio to become a "real boy". Though this Sylvester story does share a darkness that I'd felt reading Pinocchio and seeing the movie as a child, it also shares the overwhelming relief and joy when parent and "child" are reunited. This particular copy of the book is a "restored deluxe edition", reissued after the discovery of the original artwork, with the colors being as the author/illustrator had originally intended. It also includes a copy of his Caldecott Medal acceptance speech.Both in its writing and illustrations, the book beautifully depicts the tenderness between parent/child, the deep seated fears we have as both a child (of being abandoned) and a parent (losing a child) - it's a very powerful and moving story that ends happily, and with the recognition that often what we want most in life - when we look to the core of what brings us happiness - we already possess! Every once in a while, it's nice to be reminded of that.

I purchase William Steig's books on the recommendation of a reading teacher, who informed me that the author's books are great reading books for 2nd graders. That is, they are a nice bridge between picture books and chapter books. Steig's story lines are substantial, and while the language and word usage are little "mature" it is age appropriate.A general maxim, in 1st and 2nd grades, a child is learning to read; while starting in 3rd grade, "a child reads to learn." I am trying to get my child ready for 3rd grade reading and comprehension. I wanted my child to have a book with a story line that was a little more complex, not so formulaic or predictable. I am tired of "the handsome prince" and "fairies!" More important, however, I wanted a reading book with more multi-syllable words and advance vocabulary, which his children's books are well known to have. Due to being out of school (distance learning - COVID-19), she did not get a lot of advance phonics, and this book served as good practice, while telling an interest and unique story.Note Well: The subject matter of this particular book, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, is not for, and should not be read to children younger than 7. It about a donkey who goes missing for a year. My child read this to me, and it was an opportunity for us to discuss parental feelings when their child is lost.

I loved this story as a child, and bought this package for my granddaughter. Even my adult sons have enjoyed hearing and watching the story.

I just received the book, which I intend to read to my grandchildren tomorrow. While reading this great book myself, I noticed that 2 of the inside pages are torn. It can still be used but I doubt the book will stay in one piece very long because just turning the pages is bound to tear them more. What a shame when it’s such a nice book otherwise.

I was excited for my child to get this in his Easter basket... unfortunately, about 6 pages (including back cover) had large tears upon opening.

We had this book years ago when my daughter was 3 or 4 and we accidentally donated it. She loved the book and was very upset about losing it, so this was a gift to her this year! The story line is very good and i believe even small children would love it!!

A sweet story long treasured in our family, now on its second generation. Highly recommend.

A história encanta crianças e adultos. O texto é muito claro e adequado para qualquer idade e as ilustrações são expressivas e agradáveis.

ストーリ展開がテンポ良く、ハッピーエンドなので親子で楽しみながら読むには最適な英語の絵本だと思います。主人公のロバのシルベスターも石を集めるのが大好きで、ある日思ったことがなんでもかなう赤い石をみつけます。しかし両親に見せようとして帰る途中、間違って自分を岩に変身させてしまい、元に戻れなくなってしまいます。なすすべもなくただ待ちつづけるシルベスターの絶望した心境、心配して八方手をつくし最後まで希望を捨てずに探す両親、その思いがかなって再開が果たせた時のこの上ない喜び等々場面、場面で子供に読み聞かせながらそれぞれの登場人物の心理を一緒に味わえるのもいいです。石が好きな子なんてそういるかしらと思われるかもしれませんが、我が子（3才）の周りにはわりと石好の子供達が多いようです。公園に行ってはいろんな形の石を一緒に集めて、子供どうしでこれは亀石だ、魚石だと批評しあっているのを見るのは親にはちょっぴり不思議ですが、、、そして偶然この本に出会った娘は「今度はマッジクペーブルを探すよ。けど気をつけないとロックになちゃうからね。こわいね」なんて最近では言っていました。

My 4-year old couldn't have enough of this story. He also pretends to be Sylvester to act the story out with us, particularly loving the scene when he reunited with his parents. It's a great story to strengthen bonding with your children, remind yourselves that being together is the most important for a family, and teach the children to appreciate how precious what they already have is.

My favourite children's book, loved by my own and now part of family folklore. This is a lovely edition, with faithful adherence to the original illustrations. A must for any child who loves stories, has a magical imagination and is still of an age to be read to

Great storie. Would highly recommend. Children love it