Silvestr and the Magic Pebble is a charming children's book written and illustrated by William Steig. The story follows a young donkey named Silvestr who discovers a magic pebble while out on a walk. This pebble has the power to grant any wish the holder desires, making it a truly extraordinary find. Silvestr is thrilled with his discovery and excitedly begins making various wishes. He wishes for simple things like a hat and berry bushes, but also more extravagant things like becoming a rock or a rainstorm. However, when Silvestr accidentally wishes himself to be a rock, he soon realizes he is unable to hold the pebble and make another wish to reverse the transformation.
My fondness for William Steig is neverending. As a kid I loved curling up with Amos & Boris, cheering on Dr. De Soto as he thwarted a scheming wolf, and especially empathizing with Sylvester in Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. It’s a story about a young donkey who loves collecting rocks and one day finds an interesting, magical pebble while he’s out alone. In a hastey attempt to avoid a threat, he wishes to be turned into a rock, and suddenly disappears. Thinking he’s gone for good, his parents miss him terribly, until one day they happen upon that same magic pebble that Sylvester loved so much.
William Steig has a gift for presenting complex emotional situations in a way kids can digest and empathize with; Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is no exception. William Steig has a gift for presenting complex emotional situations in a way kids can digest and empathize with; Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is no exception.
However, when Silvestr accidentally wishes himself to be a rock, he soon realizes he is unable to hold the pebble and make another wish to reverse the transformation. In his rock form, Silvestr is unable to communicate with anyone and is overcome with sadness and loneliness. His family and friends search tirelessly for him but cannot find any trace of the donkey.
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
A young donkey finds a magic pebble in a field and makes an unfortunate wish.
My fondness for William Steig is neverending. As a kid I loved curling up with Amos & Boris, cheering on Dr. De Soto as he thwarted a scheming wolf, and especially empathizing with Sylvester in Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. It’s a story about a young donkey who loves collecting rocks and one day finds an interesting, magical pebble while he’s out alone. In a hastey attempt to avoid a threat, he wishes to be turned into a rock, and suddenly disappears. Thinking he’s gone for good, his parents miss him terribly, until one day they happen upon that same magic pebble that Sylvester loved so much.
I was always the wanderer, picking up scraps of nature as I walked; I had a sizable rock collection housed safely in a box under my bed. I always empathized with Sylvester’s dream of magic rocks, but also didn’t know what I’d do without my parents (let alone them, without me!). Reading the story always gave me pause, and made me appreciate what I had. William Steig has a gift for presenting complex emotional situations in a way kids can digest and empathize with; Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is no exception.
- Category: Book
- Age: 3-9
- Year: 1987
- Author: William Steig
- Format: Picture Book
- Illustrator: William Steig
- Publisher: Aladdin
- Type: Adventure
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A young donkey finds a magic pebble in a field and makes an unfortunate wish.
Meanwhile, Silvestr, as a rock, witnesses the passing of time and seasons and feels increasingly isolated. After a year of being a rock, Silvestr's parents visit the spot where he initially disappeared. They unknowingly take him home, not realizing that the rock is their missing son. One day, Silvestr's parents decide to have a picnic near the rock, and they begin to talk about how much they miss their son. Hearing their words, Silvestr's desperate thoughts turn into a wish, and the pebble falls out of his hooves, transforming him back into his donkey self. Silvestr joyfully reunites with his family, and they are overjoyed to have him back. Together, they celebrate their reunion and appreciate the magic of the pebble, despite the challenges it brought. Silvestr learns to be careful with his wishes and understand the consequences they may have. The book teaches children important lessons about family, love, patience, and the power of wishes. It shows the value of appreciating what one has and not taking loved ones for granted. It also explores the concept of responsibility and the potential dangers of impulsive actions. Overall, Silvestr and the Magic Pebble is a heartwarming and thought-provoking tale that captures the imagination of young readers and reminds us all of the importance of love and connection in our lives..
Reviews for "The Wonders of Silvestdr and the Magical Pebble Revealed"
- Jessica - 1 star - I couldn't even finish this book, it was so boring! The characters were flat and uninteresting, and the plot was predictable and unimaginative. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen, but it never did. Overall, I was extremely disappointed with "Silvester and the magic pebble" and would not recommend it to anyone.
- Matthew - 2 stars - While I appreciated the concept of the story, I found the execution to be lacking. The pacing was slow, and the plot seemed to drag on without much purpose. Additionally, I didn't feel connected to any of the characters and didn't care about their journey. Overall, "Silvester and the magic pebble" didn't captivate me like I expected it to.
- Sarah - 3 stars - I wanted to like "Silvester and the magic pebble," but unfortunately, it fell short for me. While the writing style was descriptive and the illustrations were beautiful, the story itself just didn't grab my attention. I found it to be a bit too whimsical and strange, and I had trouble connecting with the characters. I think this book may appeal more to younger readers, but as an adult, it didn't resonate with me.
- John - 2 stars - "Silvester and the magic pebble" had a promising premise, but I felt that it wasn't executed well. The story lacked depth, and the characters felt one-dimensional. I also found the resolution to be unsatisfying and anticlimactic. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and wished for more from this book.