Module 3: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

Module 3 focused on Caldecott medal winning books.  The Caldecott medal is awarded to books oustanding picture books for children.  For more information on the Caldecott medal, visit the website: Caldecott Medal Home Page.  One of the books I read for this module was Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, written and illustrated by William Steig.

Image credit: http://books.simonandschuster.com/Sylvester-and-the-Magic-Pebble/William-Steig/9781442435605

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is the story of a young donkey who goes out for a walk one day.  He finds a beautiful red pebble while on his walk.  Suddenly, he is approached by a lion!  Sylvester makes a wish, which keeps him safe from the lion, but also makes him unable to return home, due to some magic contained in the red pebble.  He is missing from home for a very long time, which worries his parents.  One day, they are magically reunited, and Sylvester returns home once more.

This is a wonderful picture book for young readers.  The illustrations are colorful, with lots of patterns and nature scenes.  Steig makes his animal characters have very human expressions, which helps children to be able to connect with the story on a deeper emotional level.  The illustrations also help hold the child's attention and help to tell the story.  I really enjoyed this story!

This book has been re-issued at least once since its original release in 1969.  Julia Jarman reviewed the 2006 re-release of this classic picture book in Carousel:

"When Sylvester the donkey finds a magic pebble that grants all his wishes, he thinks all his troubles are over. Not that he has many troubles because he belongs to a loving family. But, faced by a lion, Sylvester wishes for the wrong thing. "I wish I were a rock," he says and... yes, he turns into a rock. Now Sylvester's problem becomes his mum and dad's problem because they miss him dreadfully. Weeks, months, a whole painful year passes, but there is a happy ending, for this is a fairytale. William Steig is the author of Shrek, but Sylvester came first. Originally published in 1969 it is a welcome reissue. The words are witty, the illustrations charming. Expressive line drawings depict strong emotions. Watercolours, subdued but never dull, convey the gentleness that infuses this lovely story."

I believe this book is well-suited to a traditional library or classroom story time, as well as for bedtime reading with your children at home.  One conversation starter involving this book could be: "What would you have wished for when you saw the lion? How would that have changed the story?" - I might have wished that I was at home with my family, which would have made the story much less interesting!

References:

Jarman, J.  (2006).  Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. In Carousel, 33(Summer).

Steig, W.  (1969).  Sylvester and the Magic Pebble.  New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.