Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, by William Steig
I vaguely remember reading this story as a little girl. However, when I started reading it it all came back to me. Sylvester is a little donkey who collected pebbles of all shapes, sizes, and colors. On a particular day out, he comes across a unique red pebble. While holding it, he says, "I wish it would stop raining," and magically, the rain completely ceases. He soon realizes that the pebble he possesses is capable of granting him any wish he wants. When he strolls along the forest upon a hungry lion, he thinks a little too quickly and wishes to be a rock instead of home safe with his parents. Not his best thinking, since he cannot move and hold the pebble to change himself back.
As I read the book, I thought that maybe the only controversial thing was the fact that he was missing from his family for such a long time and his parents said that they wouldn't scold him anymore, representing an unrealistic approach to what kids should expect from their parents. However, with a little help from Amazon's compilation of "Controversial Children's Picture Books," I learned that the issue in this book was the fact that the police officers were depicted as, literally, pigs. I had to laugh a little, because I thought it was a pretty funny way to represent official acts, but I can see where this would be a challenged part of the book. However, it is a stretch indeed, and something readers would really have to pay attention to while reading it.
Kristen,
ReplyDeleteI have to say i was appalled when I read that this book was, first of all, controversial at all. I loved this book as a little kid. I still remember reading it at the library when I was younger. I can't believe the book would be considered controversial because the police officers are pigs. Seriously? I guess it would be one thing if the rest of the characters were people and the pigs were the only animals, but, come on, the main character is a donkey! People can be so sensitive sometimes!