Be Careful What You Wish For

Title: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

Author: William Steig

Illustrator: William Steig

Publisher: Prentice-Hall Books

Year: 1969

ISBN #: 0138816816

Plot Summary

In this interesting twist on the old adage,"Be careful what you wish for," Sylvester the donkey loves to collect unusual rocks. One day he finds a very special round, red, rock and accidentally discovers that it grants wishes when he holds it in his hand. Unfortunately for Sylvester, one must be careful what they wish for. He accidently turns himself into a rock and is unable to turn himself back. Rocks don’t have hands after all.  Sylvester’s parents wonder, worry and search for Sylvester. It is only when they accidently help Sylvester to turn himself into a donkey again that Sylvester and his family find out what wish is truly important.

Critical Analysis

Steig’s writing in this particular story is directed toward the older picture book reader as some of the concepts in the plot may frighten or disturb some younger readers. This is particularly apparent when the main character is transformed into a rock and neither his parents nor the police can find him. Sylvester then loses hope and his parents try to move on with their lives without him. The vocabulary is also geared toward a more advanced reader of the picture book genre. The story does contain a happy ending and a lesson about the importance of family but perhaps would not be suited to those younger or more sensitive readers.

Steig’s cartoon illustrations greatly enhance the text and provide excellent and accurate visual cues to the written word. The thoughts and emotions of each character are accurately conveyed through use of lines that portray varied facial expressions, and dynamic body language.

This may be a difficult book to share in a story hour for younger children but might work well in a book club for 8 and 9 year olds or for family reading time at home.

Review Excerpt(s)

Common Sense Media- “Once again, William Steig addresses one of childhood's biggest latent fears, abandonment. But his gentle, unerring handling of this issue makes for an endearing story full of pathos and strength.”

 School Library Journal: Top 100 Picture Books #55, Overwhelming anguish and transcending joy. Not common fare for picture books. A book in need of an Amber alert. - DaNae Leu

Award(s)

Caldecott Medal

Connections

Conduct a junior book club for eight and nine year old readers. Gather similar books such as Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say or Owl Moon by Jane Yolen. Compare and contrast them.

Look at other books illustrated by William Steig and discuss how he conveys feelings through his use of art.