Sylvester and the Magic Pebble: Book and CD

by William Steig, William Steig (Illustrator), James Earl Jones (Read by)

Overview

2013 Audie Award Finalist for Children’s Titles for Ages Up to 8

A cherished classic is brought to life with the audio stylings of renowned actor James Earl Jones.

Sylvester can’t believe his luck when he finds a magic pebble that can make wishes come true. But when a lion jumps out at him on his way home, Sylvester is shocked into making a wish that has unexpected consequences. After overcoming a series of obstacles, Sylvester is eventually reunited with his loving family. Illustrated with William Steig’s glowing pictures, this winner of the Caldecott Medal is beloved by children everywhere.

This package includes a paperback book along with a CD of this modern classic read by legendary actor James Earl Jones.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442435605
Publisher:	Little Simon
Publication date:	03/06/2012
Edition description:	Book and CD
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	57,239
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 13.50(h) x 0.20(d)
Lexile:	AD780L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

William Steig (1907–2003) was a cartoonist, illustrator, and author of award-winning books for children. Most notably Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, for which he received the Caldecott Medal; The Amazing Bone, a Caldecott Honor book; Amos & Boris, a National Book Award Finalist; and Abel’s Island and Doctor De Soto, both Newbery Honor books. Steig is also the creator of Shrek! which inspired the Dreamworks films. Steig also received the Christopher Award, the Irma Simonton Black Award, the William Allen White Children’s Book Award, the America Book Award, and Society of Illustrators Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also the US nominee for both of the biennial, international Hans Christian Andersen Awards as an illustrator in 1982, and then as an author in 1988. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Steig, and four children.

James Earl Jones is a renowned and beloved actor who has achieved success in television, film, and theater. Jones's voice is known by people of all ages and walks of life—the Star Wars fans who know him as the voice of Darth Vader, children who know him as Mufasa from Disney’s The Lion King. In addition to the many awards he has received as an actor—two Tonys, four Emmys, a Golden Globe, two Cable ACEs, two OBIEs, five Drama Desks, and a Grammy—Jones has been honored with the National Medal of Arts in 1992 and the John F. Kennedy Center Honor in December 2002. He also was honored by the Screen Actors Guild with the Lifetime Achievement Award in January of 2009.
James Earl Jones most recently starred in the Broadway production of Driving Miss Daisy with Vanessa Redgrave. He lives in Pawling, New York.

Editorial Reviews

While hurrying home to show his parents a wish-granting pebble, Sylvester the donkey is startled by a hungry lion emerging from the bushes. Flustered, Sylvester wishes he were a rock, and is immediately transformed. A year later, Sylvester's grieving parents go for a picnic and choose the rock that is Sylvester as their table. Sylvester's father happens to find the magic pebble and places it on the table, just as Sylvester wishes he were himself again. With great joy, the family is reunited.

Barnes & Noble Staff

Thanks to the rediscovery of the original watercolor artwork, in preparation for an exhibit of William Steig's work (see Children's Bookshelf, Oct. 27), newly restored edition of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, complete with Steig's acceptance speech for the Caldecott Medal, makes the book look better than ever. This tale of a donkey who wishes on a magic pebble has charmed a generation of readers and will no doubt go on to attract a new one. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly