Once upon a time in a small village nestled deep within the enchanted forest, there lived a young boy named Slyvester. Slyvester was an adventurous and curious child, always yearning for excitement and magic. One day, as he was exploring the outskirts of the village, he stumbled upon a sparkling pebble hidden within the tall grass. Intrigued by its gleaming beauty, Slyvester picked up the pebble and examined it closely. To his amazement, the pebble emitted a soft glow and seemed to emanate a mysterious energy. Little did he know that this seemingly ordinary pebble held extraordinary powers – it was a magic pebble capable of granting wishes.
Though I've had a growing booklist for Black History Month and have a few books about Martin Luther King, Jr. on that list, I had never made a list of books specifically about Martin Luther King, Jr. until a follower asked me for one. Fortunately for us all, many picture books have been written about Dr. King, but the flip side of that is that it can be hard to weed through them all and find the really engaging, interesting, and thoughtful Dr. King biographies for young children.
And it ll keep them coming back time and time again because of the love, happiness, and pure contentment that Steig somehow seems to personalize for each one of his readers. And it ll keep them coming back time and time again because of the love, happiness, and pure contentment that Steig somehow seems to personalize for each one of his readers.
Little did he know that this seemingly ordinary pebble held extraordinary powers – it was a magic pebble capable of granting wishes. Excited by the possibilities, Slyvester decided to test the pebble's powers. He closed his eyes tightly, held the pebble tightly in his hand, and whispered his deepest desires.
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
While I love reading almost anything with my girls, I get especially excited when they love some of my own favorite books from childhood. Books that I have such fond memories of reading and rereading and sharing with my parents and grandparents. Books that my parents saved for me, so now our own copies are tattered and falling apart and still just as loved. Books that at first glance may seem outdated, but have timeless storylines or messages. I’m guessing many of you share those same feelings about these beloved childhood stories! Today, I’m sharing one of these favorite stories: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, written and illustrated by William Steig.
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is an endearing story of learning (the very hard way, I might add) that you’ve already got everything you might want or need. First published in 1969, Steig (you may recognize his name from some of his other works, such as Amos and Boris, Doctor De Soto, Brave Irene, and even Shrek!), introduces us to Sylvester, a happy donkey who lives with his mother and father and loves to collect rocks (that’s my almost-four-year-old’s rock collection surrounding my childhood copy of this)… That is, until one fateful date when he finds a magic pebble and has a close encounter with a lion, all in the same day! I won’t give the whole story away, but you’ll encounter laughter, tears, changing seasons, and alfalfa sandwiches on the way to the resolution. Steig leaves his readers with a very direct and sincere message about realizing that maybe all you really need is what you already have.
And, if you look closely at the very tattered cover of my book (can you tell how long this has been around, and how loved it’s been?), you’ll see a Caldecott Medal! That means that not only is this story terrific, but when it was published, people recognized Steig’s artwork as the best artwork in children’s literature that year. His pen-and-ink illustrations match the humor, tenderness, and intricate details of his words, resulting in a story that is not only entertaining and educational to hear, but also wonderful to look at.
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble may initially enchant your children because, obviously, it’s got an element of magic. It’ll draw them in because there’s suspense. Sylvester is sure to make them giggle (my girls get a kick out of the imagery of a rock trying to pick up another rock!) and may even make them tear up just a bit. And it’ll keep them coming back time and time again because of the love, happiness, and pure contentment that Steig somehow seems to personalize for each one of his readers.
What children’s books to your kids enjoy reading or listening to that tug at your own childhood heartstrings?
Some of my other childhood favorites that our girls love include:
- Each Peach Pear Plumby Janet and Allan Ahlberg — You can read my mini review here.
- Lyle, Lyle Crocodileby Berbard Waber
- Ira Sleeps Overby Bernard Waber
- Charlotte’s Webby E. B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams
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To his astonishment, his wishes started to come true one by one. Whether it was a new toy, an adventure in a far-off land, or even a visit from his long-lost grandparents, the magic pebble never failed to fulfill Slyvester's desires. As time went on, Slyvester discovered that the pebble's powers were not limited to his own wishes. He realized that by using the pebble to help others, he could spread joy and happiness throughout the village. Whether it was granting a sick villager good health, bringing rain during a drought, or even conjuring a rainbow for the children to marvel at, Slyvester became the village's beloved magician. However, as Slyvester grew older, he began to face a dilemma. He had become so dependent on the magic pebble to bring happiness to others that he neglected to develop his own skills and abilities. He felt trapped by the pebble's powers and longed for a life where he could make a difference without relying on magic. Determined to break free from the pebble's hold, Slyvester embarked on a journey to find a wise sage who could teach him the true meaning of magic. After days of traveling through treacherous forests and scaling imposing mountains, he finally reached the sage's humble abode. The wise sage listened intently to Slyvester's tale and nodded sagely. He spoke of the importance of inner strength, compassion, and resilience. He explained that true magic lies not in external objects or extraordinary powers, but in one's ability to make a positive impact on the world through kindness and determination. Inspired by the sage's words, Slyvester returned to the village with newfound wisdom. He decided to share the magic pebble's powers with deserving individuals, encouraging them to use their wishes to make the world a better place. Through their combined efforts, the village flourished, and the magic pebble became a symbol of hope and unity. As for Slyvester, he no longer needed the magic pebble to create magic. He discovered his own talents and dedicated his life to helping others, using the lessons he learned from the wise sage. And although the pebble's magic slowly faded away, its legacy lived on in the hearts and minds of all those who had been touched by its enchantment. Thus, Slyvester's journey with the magic pebble taught him the true meaning of magic and the power of kindness, leaving an everlasting impact on the village and its inhabitants. From that day forward, Slyvester's name was forever associated with the magic pebble and the extraordinary tale of a young boy who found his own magic and inspired others to do the same..
Reviews for "Slyvester the Magic Pebble: A Guide to Creating Your Own Reality"
1. Emily - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Sylvester the Magic Pebble". The story felt disjointed and the characters were not well-developed. I had a hard time connecting with any of them and found myself losing interest as I read. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unresolved, leaving me unsatisfied. I would not recommend this book to others, as there are many better options out there in the fantasy genre.
2. David - 1 out of 5 stars - "Sylvester the Magic Pebble" was a complete bore. The plot was predictable and lacked any real excitement. The writing itself was dull and lacked any creativity. I found myself struggling to stay engaged and ended up skimming through most of it. Overall, I would not recommend wasting your time with this book. There are much better children's fantasy books out there that offer a more enjoyable reading experience.
3. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I had high hopes for "Sylvester the Magic Pebble", but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The storyline felt overly simplistic and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and didn't resonate with me. The illustrations were also average at best and didn't enhance the reading experience. Overall, I was disappointed and would not recommend this book to others, especially those looking for a captivating and imaginative children's fantasy book.