Module 3: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig

Summary: Sylvester the donkey loves collecting rocks.  One day he finds a shiny, red,  extraordinary rock, and quickly figures out it has magic powers.  Unfortunately, while he is on his way home with the rock he comes across a lion.  In his panic, he wishes to be a rock, and then realizes that he can't change himself back into a donkey because he is no longer holding the rock.  Sylvester's parents are devastated and spend months looking for him.  After many months of looking, a miracle finally happens when they decide to go on a picnic and discover a shiny red rock.

APA Reference: Steig, W. (1969). Sylvester and the magic pebble. New York, NY: Windmill Books.

Impressions: This is a classic book that is timeless, and appealing to kids because what kid wouldn't find a shiny red, and even magic rock to be fascinating. When Sylvester goes missing, the anticipation builds, and on each page it is hard to contain a real eagerness that Sylvester will be found.  The animal characters, such as the angry and then perplexed lion, and the policepigs, really add to the kid appeal.  When Sylvester is finally found, and changed back to a donkey, there is a sweet endearing feeling that will make this story popular for repeat tellings.  

Professional Review:
PreS-Gr 2-William Steig's Sylvester and the Magic Pebble (S&S, 1969) is a delightful story that, even without the pictures, has the ability to captivate. Sylvester is a young donkey who finds a magic pebble and makes an unfortunate wish. The love of his family eventually creates a situation where the wish can be undone. This unabridged reading by John McDonough has no fancy music or background noises, and it doesn't need them because the story stands very well on its own. His reading is calm and clear, allowing listeners to enjoy the language without unnecessary distractions. This is a nicely done production.-Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Bateman, T. (1998, May). [Review of the book Sylvester and the magic pebble, by W. Steig]. School library journal, 44, 100. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/
 

Library Uses:  Have a magic program.  Read the book Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, and then teach the kids some magic tricks they can do on their own.  Bring in someone from the police department to read the book.  Then have them talk about stranger safety.  Based on the magic pebble in the book, have a program all about rocks.  Bring in a rock specialist to show some rocks, and to talk about the different kinds of rocks and gems and how they are created.