"Sylvester and the Magic Pebble"

Summary of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
Sylvester is a donkey who collects pebbles.  One day, he finds a magic pebble and is so excited to be able to give his family everything they want or need.  In order for the magic to work, the pebble has to be touching him when he makes a wish.  One day, he is frightened by a lion and makes an unwise decision.  He wishes to be a rock so the lion will not see him.  However, since rocks do not have anything that can move or hold things, he cannot touch the pebble and wish himself back to a donkey.  His parents miss him terribly, and life was very sad for them all.  One day, his parents go on a picnic and use Sylvester as a table.  He is so happy to be near them again.  They notice the pebble and remember Sylvester and how he collected pebbles.  They place the pebble on the rock, and Sylvester wishes to be himself again.  They placed the troublesome pebble in a safe because they had all they needed; each other.

Steig, William. (1969).  Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. New York, NY:  Simon & Schuster.

Personal Impressions of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
This story is very sad to me.  The donkey has good intentions in using the pebble, but in his panic from fear of the lion loses everything he cares about.  I feel anxious and bothered that the donkey cannot touch the pebble because of the inability to hold or move in his state of being a rock.  It is sad that his parents are right there and do not know he is near.  I worried that they would walk away and not put the pebble on the table.  Being a children's story, it must have that happy ending.  SO, they do place the pebble on the rock, and they all realize how much they love each other and that family is more important than material things.  The story is a commentary on how priorities get rearranged when someone can have whatever they desire and how a family's love is not something you can put a price on.

Reviews of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
"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."
Review by Books in Print and retrieved on September 6, 2010.

"Like many children, Sylvester has a collection of beautiful stones. One day he finds an especially extraordinary pebble and discovers it grants his every wish. He can stop the rain and turn a fierce lion passive. Conflict arises when, without forethought, Sylvester turns himself into a large stone. Without hands, he cannot hold the pebble and make a wish to return himself to normal. There seems no solution to the problem, so month after month he remains a stone. His parents bring resolution when, during an afternoon picnic, they find the pebble and place it on the rock. Sylvester transforms into a donkey and realizes that he has everything he has always wanted. It is so easy to identify with Sylvester. His childlike expression and his faith in the magical stone touch the believer in all of us. His wanting more out of life is a universal issue. The problem is surprising and seemingly insurmountable. Children will get great joy from exploring ways to help Sylvester. This book, originally released in 1969 has been re-issued with the bright, cheerful watercolor illustrations the author originally intended. Awarded the Caldecott Award Medal in 1970, the story will continue to delight a new generation of children."

Review by Elizabeth Allen of Children's Literature and Retrieved from Barnes & Noble reviews on September 6, 2010.

Suggestions for Use in a Library or School
During a story time of the book, hand out pebbles to each child.  When the story is over, ask each child what they would have wished if the lion had scared them instead of Sylvester.  Then open the floor for the children to express what they would wish for if they had a magic pebble of their own.