Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

Written & illustrated by William Steig

A magic pebble grants wishes, but one wish traps Sylvester in an unexpected form.

5.8/7 Bookroo expert·4.2/5 Goodreads · 46,239 ratings

42 pages· 1,423 words· Est. 11 min read-aloud

$19.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Sylvester, a young donkey, discovers a magic pebble that grants wishes. When a lion scares him, he makes a wish that transforms him in an unforeseen way. Trapped and separated from his family, Sylvester's journey to return to his true self unfolds with heartwarming surprises. Will he find his way back to his loved ones and regain his original form? This enchanting tale, with its vibrant illustrations, captures the essence of hope and family bonds.

From the publisher

On a rainy day, Sylvester finds a magic pebble that can make wishes come true. But when a lion frightens him on his way home, Sylvester makes a wish that brings unexpected results. How Sylvester is eventually reunited with his loving family and restored to his true self makes a story that is beautifully tender and filled with true magic. Illustrated with William Steig’s glowing pictures, this is a modern classic beloved by children everywhere. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is a winner of the Caldecott Medal.

Awards

Caldecott Medal (1970)

At a glance

Format
Pages: 42
Words: 1,423
Reading age: 5–8
Audience: Picture
Lexile: AD780L

Themes & topics

Books about farm animals Books about magic Books about wishes Books about being lost Books about missing persons

Inside the book

A peek between the covers

What readers & critics say

Reviews

5.8

out of 7

5.8

“I loved this book growing up and still love it! It's so sad when Sylvester panics and turns himself into a rock when he sees a lion, and then he can't reach his magic pebble to turn himself back. When his parents go for a picnic and place the pebble on Sylvester the rock, he's able to turn back again and be with his family. I love the message at the end that they didn't need the rock to wish for anything else, because family is all they needed.”

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For readers who can't stop at one