Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
Reviewed by Children’s Book List
Sylvester the donkey finds a magic pebble and unthinkingly wishes himself a rock when frightened by a lion. Although safe from the lion, Sylvester cannot hold the pebble to wish himself into a donkey again.
Rating: 5 *****
A great beginning to discuss what would you wish for if you had a magic pebble and how would you use it.
Waking up in the dark at Grandpa’s house can be scary–the door in the hallway looks like a cave, and that noise could be a bear. Lucky for Marie, the bear is really Grandpa, who’s come to offer some reassurance and a flashlight that will make the dark house a lot less spooky.
Rating: *****
Everything looks different in the dark, especially when you’re not in your own house. But with family and a creative solution all turns out well.
One day down on the farm, Duck got a wild idea. “I bet I could ride a bike,” he thought. He waddled over to where the boy parked his bike, climbed on and began to ride. At first he rode slowly and he wobbled a lot, but it was fun!
Rating: *****
There is so much that’s great about this book: trying something new, overcoming fear, and even showing individuality. That duck sure is one good role model.
Robbie says he wants a snake, but his mother won’t allow a snake in the house. After he and his mother look at snakes, Robbie finds a creative way to get his very own snake and keep his mother happy.
Rating: *****
A comical book that shows overcoming fear and responsibility in a very cleaver way.
Little Mouse keeps Big Mouse awake with his worries about nighttime noises. Big Mouse offers him earmuffs, but the quiet only makes Little Mouse feel lonely. By morning, both mice are sound asleep in Big Mouse’s bed.
Rating: ****
A cute story about night time fears, but not a good ending if you’re trying to teach your child independence.
A classic-beloved by readers, storytellers, and teachers. Unavailable for years, it is back with new illustrations by Barbara Upton. Its vibrant, rhythmic read-aloud text-sprinkled with dialect-tells the story of Little Girl, who is forbidden to enter the jungle for fear of meeting the Gunniwolf.
Rating: ****
This book has a great song that my preschooler is still singing. The only controversy is the broken English, which may be seen as offensive.