William SteigThe Amazing Bone: (Caldecott Honor Book)

I almost didn't buy this book after reading some of the reviews here. Of particular concern was the gun scene. It gets a lot of press here. I'm not sure why really. More explicit gun scenes can be found in Animalia. I guess my take is this: If a book is glorifying guns, encouraging children to use them as toys, and you happen to be a non-gun-owning hippie like me, you'd avoid that kind of book. But this book isn't doing that. It's bad guys with guns. Guns that really are an aside from the plot. They aren't even that scary either. Hmph... Big deal. Turns out the scariest part of this book is fearing for poor Pearl's life when she's in the the fox's house. At least it had me on the edge of my seat. All turns out well in the end.My daughter loved this book too, and was ready for the second read just an hour later. She didn't seem troubled by the twists this tale takes. I think she knows it's just a story. She went to sleep without a hitch tonight. I guess she's just not scared. Except for the fear of the air conditioner vents and the flashing alien lights inside them. Yep. And she didn't even read that in a book. Come to think of it, we don't have any children's books about aliens or air conditioner vents. Hmm...I don't think I'd define this book as being bizarre. I'm a little disappointed really. I was expecting something far more... well... bizarre. Thinking alien lights are in the air conditioner vents is bizarre. Maurice Sendak's "In the Night Kitchen" is bizarre. I mean a talking bone isn't much less believable than a pebble that grants wishes, right? Bad things happen to good pigs? Not bizarre. Ironic statements? Wily foxes? So not bizarre.If you're a fan of Steig, this story is a nice add to the collection.If your child is already scared of animals wearing Halloween masks and brandishing pistols and/or sinister foxes who confess they aren't ashamed for being carnivores because if foxes aren't supposed to eat pigs then why are pigs made of meat (even nice pigs), no need to heighten their fear.This is a fairy tale. It isn't any scarier than a Grimm's tale, and probably less than most. If it provokes conversation with your children, talk, and pat yourself on the back for reading them a book that made 'em think, rather than just handing them a remote control.

I purchase William Steig's books on the recommendation of a reading teacher, who informed me that the author's books are great reading books for 2nd graders. That is, they are a nice bridge between picture books and chapter books. Steig's stories are longer, the story lines are substantial, and while the language and word usage are little "mature" it is age appropriate.A general maxim, in 1st and 2nd grades, a child is learning to read; while starting in 3rd grade, "a child reads to learn." I am trying to get my child ready for 3rd grade reading and comprehension. I wanted my child to have a book with a story line that was a little more complex, not so formulaic or predictable. I am tired of "the handsome prince" and "fairies!" More important, however, I wanted a reading book with more multi-syllable words and advance vocabulary, which his children's books are well known to have. Due to being out of school (distance learning - COVID-19), she did not get a lot of advance phonics, and this book served as good practice, while telling an interest and unique story.Note Well: There are plenty of good reviews of this book on this site that focus on the story; and there a many negative reviews about the subject matter of the story. I encourage you to read the reviews by the Hall of Fame reviewers in 2001.

I love this book very much, but I was disappointed to find some of the pages ripped.

These words are spoken by a fox, one of the villains of this book, to a talking bone, one of the heroes. The bone is not inanimate - it is a sentient creature with feelings and a sweet disposition.There is no doubt that Steig is brilliant, but in The Amazing Bone he seems to have lost his bearings. How can a book purportedly written for children include a character that takes pleasure from inflicting pain, and describes it in this graphic way?The fox also menaces Pearl, a darling piglet who is the other protagonist of the book. Her trouble starts, as it might for any child, as follows: "It was a brilliant day, and instead of going straight home from school, Pearl dawdled".As she slowly makes her way home through idyllic scenery, Pearl happens upon the talking bone. "'May I take you home with me, wonderful bone?' Pearl asked".But the happy scene is soon interrupted by three masked robbers who put a gun to the head of the innocent child. With the help of the bone Pearl escapes, only to fall into the clutches of the even more sinister fox. The shocking threat of torture follows as the valiant bone tries to rescue its new friend for a second time."When they arrived at the fox's hideaway, he shoved Pearl into and empty room and locked the door". While there are many such scenes in the Little Red Riding Hood genre of fairy tale, there is something particularly violent and dark in Stieg's portrayal. The image of Pearl cowering on the floor of the locked room awaiting her fate is disturbing to the extreme.Notwithstanding a happy ending it's clear that this book can't be recommended for children, and that it isn't intended for adults. This being the case it is surprising that in 1977 it was recognized by the American Library Association as a Caldecott Honor Book. Certainly Steig's artful and evocative illustrations are remarkable, but should not have been sufficient, in and of themselves, for the conferring of this prestigious award.

I love the stories and illustrations of William Steig, and I remembered this one from my childhood. They are wonderfully creative and whimsical. This one is about a pig who finds a magical talking bone in the woods, and it helps to save her from a hungry fox. Be aware that the storyline in this one is similar to Hansel and Gretel (slightly dark), so it might be better for your older kids.

The best book for 6 and to adult!!

We read many of Steig’s books to our children and now again to our grandchildren. They are heartfelt, sentimental and also, literary. Not to be missed.

William Steig's stories are in a league of there own, as enjoyable for the parent as for the child. This is a very well written children's book. My daughter loves it as do I.

I love this book. No it doesn’t have a”lesson” but what’s wrong with a good crazy adventure?

Your children will sit quietly enthralled by this classic story, perfect for the classroom and for bedtime.