Rating: 
Summary: timeless
Review: Sylvester is a donkey with the odd hobby, for a donkey anyway, of "collecting pebbles of unusual shape and color." This pastime gets him in
trouble one day when he finds a magic red pebble that grants wishes : 'What a lucky day this is!' thought Sylvester. 'From now on I can have anything I want.' Sadly, a lion comes along and Sylvester unthinkingly says : "I wish I were a rock." His wish is granted, but he is no longer able to grasp the pebble and so can not wish himself back to donkeyhood. His parents search
desperately for him, until one day they actually picnic upon the boulder he has become. Happily, they pick up the pebble and order is
restored. And, despite the awesome power of the pebble they lock it away in a safe : Some day they might want to use it, but really, for now, what more could they wish for? They had all that they wanted. The story is that simple and the drawings too are pretty basic, though charming. The real beauty of the tale lies in the simple message that it
is not "things" that will make us happy, but the comforts of family and home. In his Caldecott Award acceptance speech, William Steig revealed his debt to an earlier classic : It is very likely that Sylvester became a rock and then again a live donkey because I had once been so deeply impressed with Pinocchio's
longing to have his spirit encased in flesh instead of in wood. It is altogether fitting that Steig's story has become a classic in its own right. GRADE : A
Rating: 
Summary: A rock forever?
Review: Sylvester the donkey collects rocks, and when he finds a special one, he adds it to his collection. While holding it , he wishes for the rain to stop, and it does. Finding that the pebble is magic, Sylvester hurries on his way to tell his parents. However, on the way home, he is confronted by a lion hungry for donkey for lunch. Remembering the magic pebble, Sylvester wishes to be a rock. Bad decision! With no way of holding the rock, Sylvester cannot change himself back to a donkey after the threat is gone. Will he be a rock forever?
Great story, Caldecott medal winner. Subtly teaches your kids that "things" aren't the important things in life, your family is. Short and enjoyable, this is one your kids won't ever want to part with and will pass on to their children.
Rating:
Summary: My all-time favorite children's book
Review: The story is wonderful, but the illustrations are incredible. The soft but clear colors, the patterns on the clothes, everything about them is touching. I usually dislike books about animals wearing clothes and behaving like people, but this book does it right. The various barnyard animals who people Sylvester's world (I love that the police are pigs) manage to seem perfectly natural. This book is a classic.
Rating:
Summary: Ah...what memories!
Review: This book was one of my favorites as a child! I just got a copy for my son and he loves it too! This is a classic - a must have for every kid's library. It teaches the values of family and love.
Rating: 
Summary: Magic pebble?
Review: This is a touching story of parents and child with some magic thrown in. A boy donkey is out collecting pebbles when he finds a particularly special one that also has the power to grand wishes. When he runs into a lion, he accidentally wishes himself into a rock. He can't change himself back because he can't speak or hold the pebble in his hand. His parents get the whole town to look for their son, but of course, nobody can find him. One day, his parents take a picnic to cheer up and use their son as a table. The father picks up the pebble, places it on the rock and now Sylvester wishes himself back. The illustrations complement the story well without being too busy. The animals take on human characteristics very well. Why 3 stars?:
This book simply failed to capture my attention or that of any of the children ranging in age from 4 to 9 that I have tested it with. The illustrations have an opaque quality to them, but many things are outlined in black giving the book a cartoonish quality. Many people seem to view it as a classic, but I feel it should be re-evaluated and put aside for much more appealing books.
Rating:
Summary: Flashback
Review: This is actually just as much a review of amazon.com as it is of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. I linked here because of your "cover story" on the author. It has probably been over 20 years since I have read or thought about this book. Amazing how it takes your back in time and recreates that feeling. Thank you!
Rating:
Summary: My favorite book as a child
Review: This is one of the only books I can remember owning as a child. It's a simple story, but had all of the elements I still look for in books I read as an adult. It nicely filled that time in my childhood between purely childrens' books and young adult fiction.
Rating:
Summary: My favorite book as a child
Review: This was my favorite book as a child. This book sends a great message to children. It teaches them to be happy with what they have and how important family is.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite!
Review: This was my favorite book when I was little. I read it over and over. Now I am twenty eight and I read it to my two year old son all the time. It is one of his favorites too!
Rating:
Summary: still one of my favorites
Review: This was one of my favorite books as a child. When I became a teacher, I rediscovered it. I began reading it to my 6th grade class to fill in extra time, but we only had time for half of it. The next day, all of them were begging me to finish it! What is great about this book is that it is a timeless classic with messages that ring true even all these years later.
| 
