Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

Steig, William.  Sylvester and the Magic Pebble.  New York: Aladdin Paperbacks, 1969.

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is a story about a young donkey named Sylvester who one day finds a red, magic pebble that can make his wishes come true.  As he is walking home, pondering what to wish for, he encounters a lion.  Out of panic, he wishes that he were a rock, but soon realizes that he cannot turn himself back into a donkey.  After months of sitting on the hill as a rock, and much worry to his parents, Sylvester is able to turn back into a donkey with a bit of luck.  The pictures, drawn with thick black lines and colored with watercolors, reflect the story in the text well.  They are also slightly quirky, which supplements the fantasy aspect of the story.

Sylvester’s trouble with feeling like he would be a rock forever and never be found touches on the fears of being forgotten or getting lost and not being found- fears that many children have.  Parents can also relate to the fear of losing their only child.  The resolution of the story teaches the reader not to give up hope, even when their biggest fears seem to have come true.  These important themes, paired with the storytelling and pictures, earned Sylvester and the Magic Pebble the Caldecott Medal in 1970.