"The Magic Pebble" is a beloved children's book written and illustrated by William Steig. Published in 1969, the story follows a young donkey named Sylvester Duncan who discovers a magic pebble that grants wishes. However, his happiness quickly turns to despair when he accidentally wishes himself into a rock. Sylvester lives in the fictional town of Oatsdale with his caring donkey family. One day, while strolling through the forest, he stumbles upon a shiny, red pebble. Excited by his discovery, Sylvester wishes, quite innocently, that he could be a rock.
April 27, 2020. All our staff are healthy, and Future Aids remains proudly open. Regular office hours are still in effect, but may be reduced in the coming weeks in response to decreased demand. Due to plastic shortages in our area we have run out of book covers, so will be binding books with dual Braille paper covers until the middle of May. Though we aren't expecting incoming shipments any time soon, we still have plenty of inventory on hand to fulfill orders. As usual, any products that are out of stock will be clearly marked as such on the website. Though we are shipping orders promptly (within one business day of receipt), carrier delivery times may be longer than usual. We thank you for your patronage throughout this difficult time, and look forward to serving you for many years to come.
Due to plastic shortages in our area we have run out of book covers, so will be binding books with dual Braille paper covers until the middle of May. Due to plastic shortages in our area we have run out of book covers, so will be binding books with dual Braille paper covers until the middle of May.
Excited by his discovery, Sylvester wishes, quite innocently, that he could be a rock. To his shock, his wish is immediately granted, and he finds himself transformed into a solid stone. As a rock, Sylvester is unable to move or communicate with others.
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
While hurrying home to show his parents a wish-granting pebble, Sylvester the donkey is startled by a hungry lion emerging from the bushes. Flustered, Sylvester wishes he were a rock, and is immediately transformed. A year later, Sylvester's grieving parents go for a picnic and choose the rock that is Sylvester as their table. Sylvester's father happens to find the magic pebble and places it on the table, just as Sylvester wishes he were himself again. With great joy, the family is reunited. A beautifully tender story, filled with true magic.
For ages 5 to 8.
His family, especially his parents, is devastated by his sudden disappearance. They tirelessly search for him, even creating a reward for anyone who can provide information about their missing son. Months pass, and Sylvester's desperate situation continues. The changing seasons pass him by, and he is left vulnerable to nature's whims, including being buried under leaves, trampled by animals, and enduring harsh weather conditions. During this time, the author skillfully showcases Sylvester's longing for his family and the simple joys of life that he once took for granted. One day, while Sylvester is lamenting his fate as a rock, his parents happen upon the magic pebble that caused his predicament. Unaware of its powers, the donkey family decides to keep it as a memento of their beloved son. Upon picking up the pebble, they inadvertently wish for Sylvester's return, and to everyone's astonishment, he transforms back into his original donkey form. The family is overjoyed to have Sylvester back, and they celebrate their reunion with tears of happiness. They are grateful for their good fortune and vow never to take their loved ones for granted again. "The Magic Pebble" is a heartwarming tale that explores themes of family love, the power of wishes, and appreciating the simple joys in life. Through Sylvester's journey from happiness to sorrow and back to happiness again, William Steig emphasizes the importance of cherishing one's loved ones and living in the present moment. This timeless story continues to captivate readers young and old with its powerful message and beautiful illustrations..
Reviews for "The Magic Pebble: Unveiling the Subtext and Hidden Meanings"
1. John - 2/5 - I found "The Magic Pebble" to be quite disappointing. The story had potential, but it fell flat for me. The characters were not very well developed, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The plot felt rushed and unrealistic, and I struggled to stay engaged throughout the book. Overall, I was not impressed with this read and would not recommend it.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - I really did not enjoy "The Magic Pebble" at all. It felt disjointed and confusing, and I couldn't follow the story very well. The writing style was also very dull and lacking creativity. I found myself skimming through the pages, hoping for something interesting to happen, but unfortunately, it never did. This book was a letdown for me, and I regret wasting my time on it.
3. Jennifer - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The Magic Pebble" based on the reviews I read, but it did not live up to my expectations. The story had potential, but the execution was poor. The pacing was off, and the plot felt predictable and cliché. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. I was hoping for a magical and captivating read, but unfortunately, this book fell short for me.