The Amazing Bone

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.

Why hello book of my youth! And may I say, how pleasant it is to read you once again. I know it's been at least 20 years since I was but a wee tot on my mother's knee. She would read "The Amazing Bone" to me time and time again, and I really did find it a delightful story. Now, years and years later, I read it again. There's something about a good Steig book. And to me, this is the most evocative of his stories. Oh, there are people firmly devoted to "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble". And I daresay "Shrek" and "Doctor De Soto" have their fans as well. But give me "The Amazing Bone" over these trifles any day. It's a warm ribald thoroughly satisfying tale of a young pig, a talking bone, and the troubles that ensue.Pearl is a sweet young pig winding her way home one day. Enjoying the people around her, the clean crisp air, and the softness of the flowered glens, Pearl is a bit like Little Red Riding Hood. She is in no particular hurry to get home. When Pearl stumbles across a magical talking bone, she is delighted. The bone too is quite happy and the two make a delicious pair. When robbers (frightfully dressed in scary masks and carrying guns & knives) attempt to rob little Pearl, the bone successfully drives the bandits off with scary sounds. Some parents find this an inappropriate portion of the tale and will make a very big deal about it. Honestly? It's just a little too weird to seriously freak out a child. I daresay parents are the ones frightened by this part of the book. Not kiddies. Continuing in the story a dapper fox is less gullible than the silly robbers. When he decides to make Pearl his meal, the bone's cries are in vain. It is only through a series of fortunate turns of fate that Pearl and her bone may return safe and sound to her home and her parents.Don't get me wrong. The story is doggone bizarre. One of Steig's weirdest by far. Steig was a fan of the small common object (bone, pebble, etc.) containing great grandiose powers. His stories often focus on the little fellow outwitting the big (sometimes literally). And foxes were his favorite villains. Often elegantly dressed, they have the capacity for pity. They just ignore it. This particular story is especially disturbing because of the nature of Pearl's abduction. The fox forces her into his abandoned shack, leaving her cowering on the floor of a room. Want to drill into your children the horrors of strangers and the dangers of going anywhere with them? I can't think of a better method of getting this point home (though, admittedly, I don't remember getting that message when I myself read this story as a child). Though the book certainly contains creepy possibilities, the story is a good one. You're safe with Steig. And just a word on the beauty of his illustrations. Though Steig obviously preferred to grow messier and squigglier in his creations as he aged, no scene in children's picture books is more perfectly pastoral than the shot of Pearl

Is there a more charming book than this? A very dear friend was in the hospital and, in addition to feeling ill, was in a very crabby mood, yelling at doctors and technicians whenever they approached. I brought this book to read to him because I thought it might cheer him up. After I finished, he thanked me and also called me later at home to thank me anew for bringing such a charming book into his life because it honestly did make him feel better. Pearl and her loyal new best friend, the bone, are wonderful and any adult or child will find it to be a refreshingly lovely treat.

Steig is my favorite children's book author and The Amazing Bone my favorite of his books. I love the characters and the sense of evil conquered by the lovely piggirl. His depiction of spring is wonderful, like a breath of fresh air. Steig transports the reader with his sweet magic, but always maintains a balance with his evil characters lurking just around the corner. Read all of his stuff, you'll truly be a better person for it.

While this book is often only found in the children's section, "The Amazing Bone" is in my top three favorite books of all time, (along with "Tiffky Doofky", by the same author...)and should rightfully be shelved in every section of the library or bookstore This book has all the elements of a literary masterpiece and pulp combined; taut suspense, life-threatening dilemmas, love, life, drama, humor, insight. Simply fabuluous, a must have for anyone, literate or otherwise. Buy now before it's out of print...or regret it the rest of your life.