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The Amazing Bone: (Caldecott Honor Book) Paperback – Picture Book, July 5, 2011

by William Steig (Author, Illustrator)
4.6 out of 5 stars 270 ratings
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The Amazing Bone is a 1976 New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of the Year and Outstanding Book of the Year, a 1977 Caldecott Honor Book, and a 1977 Boston Globe - Horn Book Awards Honor Book for Picture Books.

William Steig, incomparable master of the contemporary picture book, has never been better than in The Amazing Bone.

It's a bright and beautiful spring day, and Pearl, a pig, is dawdling on her way home from school. Most unexpectedly, she strikes up an acquaintance with a small bone. "You talk?" says Pearl. "In any language," says the bone. "And I can imitate any sound there is." (Its former owner was a witch.) Pearl and the bone immediately take a liking to each other, and before you know it she is on her way home with the bone in her purse, left open so they can continue their conversation. Won't her parents be surprised when she introduces her talking bone!

But before that happy moment comes, the resourceful bone must deal with a band of highway robbers in Halloween masks and, worse, a fox who decides that Pearl will be his main course at dinner that night. And deal it does, with gambits droll and thrilling.

Made into a short animated film voiced by John Lithgow, available on streaming and home video.

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  1. Reading age
    3 - 7 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Kindergarten - Preschool
  5. Lexile measure
    660L
  6. Dimensions
    8.75 x 0.15 x 10.7 inches
  7. Publisher
    Square Fish
  8. Publication date
    July 5, 2011
  9. ISBN-10
    031256421X
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0312564216
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Pearl (a piglet) discovers a talking bone, which had fallen out of a witch's basket. . . . This is a tight mesh of witty storytelling and art, bound to please any audience.” ―Booklist, Starred Review

“Steig's inspired language is a miraculous match for his pictures, lovely as well as funny.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Another Steig tour de force.” ―School Library Journal

About the Author

William Steig (1907-2003) was a cartoonist, illustrator and author of award-winning books for children, including Shrek!, on which the DreamWorks movies are based. Steig was born in New York City. Every member of his family was involved in the arts, and so it was no surprise when he decided to become an artist. He attended City College and the National Academy of Design. In 1930, Steig’s work began appearing in The New Yorker, where his drawings have been a popular fixture ever since. He published his first children's book, Roland the Minstrel Pig, in 1968. In 1970, Steig received the Caldecott Medal for Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. His books for children also include Dominic; The Real Thief; 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's books have also received the Christopher Award, the Irma Simonton Black Award, the William Allen White Children's Book Award, and the American Book Award. His European awards include the Premio di Letteratura per l'infanzia (Italy), the Silver Pencil Award (the Netherlands), and the Prix de la Fondation de France. On the basis of his entire body of work, Steig was selected as the 1982 U.S. candidate for the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for Illustration and subsequently as the 1988 U.S. candidate for Writing. Steig also published thirteen collections of drawings for adults, beginning with About People in 1939, and including The Lonely Ones, Male/Female, The Agony in the Kindergarten, and Our Miserable Life. He died in Boston at the age of 95.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Square Fish; Reprint edition (July 5, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 031256421X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0312564216
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 660L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - Preschool
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.75 x 0.15 x 10.7 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 270 ratings

About the author

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William Steig

William Steig

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William Steig (1907–2003) published his first children’s book, Roland the Minstrel Pig, in 1968, and received the Caldecott Medal for Sylvester and the Magic Pebble (978-1416902065) in 1970. His works also include The Amazing Bone, a Caldecott Honor Book, and Abel’s Island and Doctor De Soto, both Newbery Honor Books. His most recent books published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux are Shrek! (released by DreamWorks as a major motion picture) and Wizzil, illustrated by Quentin Blake. School Library Journal named Shrek! a Best Book of 1990 and said of it, "Steig's inimitable wit and artistic dash have never been sharper or more expertly blended."

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
270 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the book's clever storyline and remarkable illustrations. The language receives positive feedback, with one customer noting it's good for teaching multi-syllable words. The pacing receives mixed reactions, with some customers finding it not suitable for children.

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16 customers mention "Storyline"16 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of the book, finding it clever and imaginative, with remarkable and evocative illustrations. One customer notes how it captures the challenges and contradictions of life itself.

"...Steig's stories are longer, the story lines are substantial, and while the language and word usage are little "mature" it is age appropriate...." Read more

"...with children at a much higher level than most authors, with wonderful wit, unpredictable story lines and language that enchants." Read more

"...The story is so clever, and my boys (4 and 8) both squeal with delight when the bone starts yelling nonsense!..." Read more

"...As with all of Steig’s storylines, this is for the imaginative and courageous. I would suggest age 8 and up for this one." Read more

5 customers mention "Language"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the language of the book, with one noting it's good for introducing multi-syllable words, while another mentions it works well for reading with expressive voices.

"...authors, with wonderful wit, unpredictable story lines and language that enchants." Read more

"...He is funny, terse and the pictures are memorable and enchanting. Great book to read to kids, great book to read over and over...." Read more

"Gave this to grandson along with two others by same author. As germane as when written with art to match storyline." Read more

"I love the suspense that can be created with this fun story. Good for exciting voices. My kids love it." Read more

11 customers mention "Pacing"5 positive6 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it not suitable for children.

"...Notwithstanding a happy ending it's clear that this book can't be recommended for children, and that it isn't intended for adults...." Read more

"...and while the language and word usage are little "mature" it is age appropriate...." Read more

"This book is 100% not appropriate for children. Several VERY scary pages with guns and knives (“pistols and daggers”)...." Read more

"...to read them aloud at least 50 times, is that he engages with children at a much higher level than most authors, with wonderful wit, unpredictable..." Read more

Not ok for kids
1 out of 5 stars
Not ok for kids
I love William Steig. But this one has guns and a knife pointed at a little girl, who is kidnapped.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • J. Manchester
    5.0 out of 5 stars A good book to begin reading mutli-syllable words...may not be suitable for children younger than 7
    Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • redrose
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good Grief!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2009
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    28 people found this helpful
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  • Book-it!
    5.0 out of 5 stars For the Hero (or Heroine) in All of Us
    Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This was my son's favorite book as a child. A young pig finds a magic bone that has special powers. Despite others disbelief, she sticks to her story and is rescued by both the bone and her own ingenuity. A wonderful tale of courage and empowerment for children. Definitely for the imaginative and quirky; literal-minded children may be puzzled by this one. One of the joys of Steig's books, especially for the adult who has to read them aloud at least 50 times, is that he engages with children at a much higher level than most authors, with wonderful wit, unpredictable story lines and language that enchants.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Mek
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cannot believe they still print this book
    Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Was delighted to find copies of this whacky book on Amazon. Thank you!
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  • Amy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Clever little book good for all ages
    Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Oh my gosh--why have I never heard of this book before? I picked it up at the library on a whim, and I'm so glad I did! The story is so clever, and my boys (4 and 8) both squeal with delight when the bone starts yelling nonsense! Just enough terror in the story for them to pull close at night, too. I especially love it when the wolf explains his predatory behavior by saying, "Don't blame me. I didn't make the world." Such a clever, fun little book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • EmTheShop
    5.0 out of 5 stars Witty Steig!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    If you and or your child likes witty, this book is for you! As with all of Steig’s storylines, this is for the imaginative and courageous. I would suggest age 8 and up for this one.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Kayle
    1.0 out of 5 stars Not appropriate for children
    Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book was written in the 70s and recommended for us by a friend. Boy does it not hold up, the main character is held at gun point and the gun is held to her head when she doesn’t comply, then she is physically assaulted and that’s where I quit reading.
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars The book arrived damaged
    Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Love this book and author but it took weeks to arrive and was bent when it finally did.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Margaret C. Jackson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Livro foi muito bom
    Reviewed in Brazil on November 6, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Lendo...
    Report
  • Virginia Spray
    1.0 out of 5 stars One Star
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 6, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    The best book for 6 and to adult!!
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  • Bev
    5.0 out of 5 stars It is a timeless hit
    Reviewed in Canada on August 4, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    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.
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  • bbs follower
    5.0 out of 5 stars Such a great story
    Reviewed in Canada on January 10, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Your children will sit quietly enthralled by this classic story, perfect for the classroom and for bedtime.
    Report
  • MR DJ JOHNSON
    5.0 out of 5 stars The best book ever written for children
    Reviewed in Canada on January 14, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I love this book. No it doesn’t have a”lesson” but what’s wrong with a good crazy adventure?
    Report