Pistes d'exploration

During the read-aloud, stop right before the parents' picnic at the rock. Imagine how Sylvester could be saved.

Make a list of interesting words and expressions (flaming red, ceased, perplexed, bewildered, etc.) and find synonyms for them.

Talk with a partner about what you need to be happy. Do you need a magic pebble to get what you need?

Write about what you would wish for if you had a magic pebble.

Compile a list of (ten) things that make you happy.

Distinguish between needs and wants. From your list (see above), decide which are needs and which are wants.

What would you wish for if you had a magic pebble? Write about how it would change your life.

More, Ella May and the Wishing Stone

Mots-clés

Picture book , contentment , donkeys , happiness , magic , wishes

Commentaire descriptif

Sylvester is searching for new specimens for his pebble collection and finds something really special—a new red pebble. While examining it, he happens to make a wish for sunshine: “To his great surprise the rain stopped. It didn’t stop gradually as rains usually do. It CEASED.” Still holding the magic pebble, Sylvester spies a lion and, to escape, turns himself into a rock—creating a harrowing situation. As a rock, he cannot reach for the pebble. Illustrations in varied pen-and-watercolour markings exude a direct, hand-rendered effect. Animals are realistically drawn, despite walking on hind legs and often wearing clothes. Expressive language is somewhat dense—an excellent choice for reading aloud or for confident readers. Readers will be riveted as the search for Sylvester continues through the seasons. They may invent scenarios of how Sylvester might be saved. It’s Sylvester’s parents, picnicking by the rock and thinking of their son, who finally cause the rock and magic pebble to touch again—resulting in an ecstatic reunion. The true values of love and affection are affirmed when the happy family locks the magic pebble away: “What more could they wish for?”