Review of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

By William Steig

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Steig, William. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. Ill. by William Steig. New York: Simon & Schuster: Aladdin Books, Second Edition:1987(1969). ISBN: 0671662694

PLOT SUMMARY

This story focuses on a boy donkey named Sylvester that lives with his mother and father. The boy is an avid rock and pebble collector and likes to put them out on the table and carefully examine each one. He is especially fond of a red pebble that he believes is magic and, as it turns out after several wishes were granted as long as he held the pebble in his hand, Sylvester learns that the pebble was indeed magical. On his way home, Sylvester daydreams about all of the things he will wish for his family. However, Sylvester encounters a dangerous lion, and without thinking, he wishes that he would become a rock. He did become a big rock but could no longer hold on to the red pebble, so he couldn’t make a wish. After looking for him for months, his parents feared the worse. In the spring, his parents went to the field where Sylvester was a rock and had a picnic. Sylvester’s father saw the pebble next to the rock and sets it on the rock, saying that he knew Sylvester would love that rock. This enabled Sylvester to make his best wish yet, to become himself again. After much joy, the father put the magic pebble in a safe. Someday they might use it, but they had all they wished for – Sylvester’s safe return.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The reader quickly understands that Sylvester Duncan is a fun-loving, likeable boy donkey that collects unique rocks and is enchanted by magic. His adventure takes a somewhat dark turn when Sylvester accidentally turns himself into a rock and everyone assumes something tragic has happened to him. The simple color illustrations convey those emotional feelings that hang over the heads of the bewildered parents and the community. The reader is drawn into that emotion, wondering whether Sylvester will ever be united with his parents and children with sympathize deeply with Sylvester’s plight. Fortunately, the book has a happy ending as Sylvester is magically reunited with his family. The book was initially rated appropriate for ages 4-6 years-old; however, that was quickly amended to 6-9 years-old. I agree that the book might be too traumatic for a 4 year-old. The book created controversy is several school districts and other organization for its portrayal of police as pigs which resulted in a ban in parts of the U.S.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

1970 Caldecott Medal

Voted 109^th out of 3,145 on the list of Best Children’s Books,

Amazon – “Steig imbues his characteristically simple illustrations of animals sporting human garb with evocative, irresistible, and heartbreaking vivid emotions. The text is straightforward and the dialogue remarkably touching.”

Common Sense Media: “Parents need to know that Steig's drawings capture the animals' emotions perfectly, as Sylvester learns that a simple wish can sometimes backfire, but love can overcome all.”

CONNECTIONS

Read other books by William Steig

·         Steig, William. Doctor De Soto. ISBN: 9780312611897

·         Steig, William. Amos & Boris. ISBN: 031253566X

·         Steig, William. Brave Irene. ISBN: 0312564228

And others…

Ø  The book is a good tool for teaching children about compassion and sympathy.