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Sylvester and the Magic Pebble [Paperback]

William Steig
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)

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2013 Children's Book Award Winners
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Book Description

April 2, 1987 6 and up Aladdin Picture Books700L (What's this?)
On a rainy day, Sylvester finds a magic pebble that can make wishes come true. But when a lion frightens him on his way home, Sylvester makes a wish that brings unexpected results.

How Sylvester is eventually reunited with his loving family and restored to his true self makes a story that is beautifully tender and filled with magic. Illustrated with William Steig's glowing pictures, this is a modern classic beloved by children everywhere.

Selected as one of the 100 Best Books of the Century by the National Education Association.


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Sylvester and the Magic Pebble + Doctor De Soto + Amos & Boris
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Imagine all the happiness and wealth you could achieve if you found a magic pebble that granted your every wish! Sylvester Duncan, an unassuming donkey who collects pebbles "of unusual shape and color," experiences just such a lucky find. But before he can make all his wishes come true, the young donkey unexpectedly encounters a mean-looking lion. Startled, Sylvester wishes he were a rock, but in mineral form he can no longer hold the pebble, and thus cannot wish himself back to his equine trappings. His parents, thinking he has disappeared, are at first frantic, then miserable, and then plunge into donkey ennui. Meanwhile, Sylvester is gravely depressed, but tries to get used to being a rock.

In 1970, William Steig won the Caldecott Medal for Sylvester and the Magic Pebble--the first of his many Newbery and Caldecott honors. In this donkey's tale, Steig imbues his characteristically simple illustrations of animals sporting human garb with evocative, irresistible, and heartbreakingly vivid emotions. The text is straightforward and the dialogue remarkably touching. Children will feel deeply for Sylvester and his parents, all wishing for the impossible--that the family will one day be reunited. Sylvester's sweet story is one that endures, reminding us all that sometimes what we have is all we really need. (Ages 4 to 8) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

On a rainy day, Sylvester finds a magic pebble that can make wishes come true. But when a lion frightens him on his way home, Sylvester makes a wish that brings unexpected results. How Sylvester is eventually reunited with his loving family and restored to his true self makes a story that is beautifully tender and filled with true magic. Illustrated with William Steig's glowing pictures, this is a modern classic beloved by children everywhere. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is a winner of the Caldecott Medal.END --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

  • Age Range: 6 and up
  • Paperback: 32 pages
  • Publisher: Aladdin (April 2, 1987)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0671662694
  • ISBN-13: 978-0671662691
  • Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 0.2 x 10.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,159 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

William Steig (1907-2003) published his first children's book, Roland the Minstrel Pig, in 1968, and received the Caldecott Medal for Sylvester and the Magic Pebble (978-1416902065) in 1970. His works also include The Amazing Bone, a Caldecott Honor Book, and Abel's Island and Doctor De Soto, both Newbery Honor Books. His most recent books published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux are Shrek! (released by DreamWorks as a major motion picture) and Wizzil, illustrated by Quentin Blake. School Library Journal named Shrek! a Best Book of 1990 and said of it, "Steig's inimitable wit and artistic dash have never been sharper or more expertly blended."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
54 of 56 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this as a kid October 2, 2004
Format:Paperback
Someone wrote that this book is too depressing. I beg to differ.

I'm not a professional child psychologist, but looking back on my own experience, and how much I loved this book as a child, I think children have very powerful feelings all the time, including longing and sadness. It's comforting to see those feelings described and reflected outside yourself. If adults act like the whole world is happy-happy all the time, it can feel very lonely and isolating when you have other feelings. I would venture to guess that empathizing with characters in stories helps children develop a sense of connection between their own feelings and other people's feelings. This connection makes us feel less lonely and also allows us to be genuinely caring toward others.

I can still see, in my mind's eye, the picture of Sylvester the Rock under a blanket of snow, and feel the almost unbearable empathy that I felt for him when I read this book as a child. But it was a good feeling to feel such profound emotions. It was not unpleasant--it was very real, alive, and human--it made me feel connected with the world. And it was a safe place to feel these emotions, because I knew how the story ended, I knew everything would be okay.

I loved this book very much. I wonder if I still have it...
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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
One day, Sylvester Duncan, an endearing young burro whose hobby is collecting unusual pebbles, happens upon a truly extraordinary one. Not only is it particularly beautiful, but as Sylvester is soon to discover, it possesses powerful magical properties.

Sylvester's intentions are good and he plans to make use of the power of the pebble to help others. Nevertheless, the use of magic quickly becomes tragic, and Sylvester finds himself in a desperate situation from which escape seems all but impossible.

Reading this book to my daughters, I found myself on an emotional roller coaster ride, as the little donkey is extricated from his plight just as all hope is lost.

This is an excellent book, beautifully illustrated, and clearly deserving of the Caldecott Medal which it won in 1970.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best children's books! August 13, 1999
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Our children, ages 2 and 5, have been obsessed with this book. We have enjoyed it thoroughly, too. Mr. Steig's writing captures the internal experiences and emotions of the characters in a way that few books for children do. The writing encourages children to consider what it would be like to be trapped, lost, or separated from their parents, and the joy of reunion.

It also has some of the greatest lines in literature: "The warmth of his own mother sitting on him woke Sylvester up from his deep winter sleep." How can you beat that?

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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous
This is an imaginative story which is both entertaining and morally instructive. It was one of my daughter's favorites as a child and I've just purchased it for my new little... Read more
Published 12 days ago by connie titone
1.0 out of 5 stars Epically stupid
Seriously?! Someone wrote an entire story about a donkey who made a stupid decision to become a rock and (surprise) got stuck as a rock for a long time. Read more
Published 2 months ago by CandJ Caleb and Jennifer Chess
5.0 out of 5 stars Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
This book was such a delight to read. The book is about a donkey named Sylvester, who loved collecting pebbles. It was his absolute favorite thing to do. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Kelsey DeMont
5.0 out of 5 stars I adore William Steig
A very cute story. Kids love it. Brings out the whole range of emotions. A definite read for the elementary level.
Published 2 months ago by Doreen Lawson
5.0 out of 5 stars This was a funny book!!
My daughter really enjoyed the book even though she thought it was a chapter book. Her teacher recommended the book as they were talking about fantasy. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Ginger M. Anderson
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book from my childhood
My kids love this book as much as I did as a kid, and love being able to listen to the CD as they follow along in the book. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Momma Mary
3.0 out of 5 stars Not appropriate for the age group I purchased for
Good fun book for older kids I painted a pebble to go with book it was fun but too sad for 2 year old
Published 4 months ago by hookie VTB
5.0 out of 5 stars so sweet.
This is the sweetest story ever written ..don't read without a tissue. One of the few books I will keep for grandkids.
Published 5 months ago by cindyc
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite children's books
This book has been one of my favorite children's books since I was a child, and is part of my child's library. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Jillian Maclauchlan
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic!
This book deals with really heavy stuff - loss, fear, impulses, family, etc. All in a way that hits you at the level you are. My 4 year old LOVES this book. Read more
Published 9 months ago by A guy
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