Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig

William Steig, Windmill Books, 1969

William Steig, is a children’s author known, most recently, for writing the original story of Shrek, made famous by Dreamworks Pictures. However my favorite book of his is one called Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. Steig won his first Caldecott Medal for this book in 1970.

Sylvester Duncan is a donkey who lives with his mother and father on Acorn Road in Oatsdale. One day during vacation he goes for a walk and discovers a shiny red pebble that he saves for his collection. It begins to rain and Sylvester wishes it would stop. Suddenly it does and he realizes the pebble has powers to grant wishes. He is instantly excited and after wishing the wart on his left hind fetlock would disappear, he heads home to share the news. The plot thickens and to tell more would be to tell all.

Be sure to read this book and find out what happens to Sylvester, how his parents are left to search for him and how they miraculously find their Sylvester once more. The illustrations in the book were also drawn by Steig. Note this one of the Duncans at the police station filing a missing donkey report. The details in the illustrations and style of writing are what make this a delightful story.