I’ve always felt blessed to have my family.  As I’ve gotten older, I have come to appreciate our closeness more and more and, because of the miles between us, to miss them more and more.  When I am feeling especially lonely, I think of poor Sylvester Duncan (the sweet donkey who magically, tragically, becomes a rock) longing for his mom and dad.  And of Mr. and Mrs. Duncan longing for him.

This year, 2024, marks the 55th anniversary of the release of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig.  Winner of the 1970 Caldecott Medal, it was and remains truly deserving.

In my very first blog post five years ago I revealed my love affair with Sylvester.  Because family is on my mind, I am reposting my words:

In my 27 years as a children’s librarian, I shared it with thousands of story-time kids.  This tender, magical story of love and devotion, separation and deep sorrow, happy reunions and finding what is truly important, never got old for me or the children.  And never, not even once, could I read through to the end without getting choked up.  I did try. Sometimes during story time, before beginning those final sentences, I’d pause and take a conscious breath — a running start of sorts — thinking, “I can get through it this time.”  I never could.  I am retired from my library work so, now, I read it in the privacy of my home and just let the emotion wash over me.

Thank you, Mr. Steig, for this brilliant work, this incomparable gift, this story that breaks my heart and leaves me cheering for Mr. and Mrs. Duncan, for how they love their son, and how he loves them.  You’ve also blessed us with Abel’s Island, Doctor DeSoto, Pete’s a Pizza, and other wonderful stories, which I would hate to do without but, if you had only one book to give, Mr. Steig, Sylvester would be enough for me, and really, what more could I wish for?

If you haven’t read Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, please do.  If you have, you know it is a masterpiece well worth revisiting . . . often.