Official Review: The Shiny Little Pebble by Pauline Pipa

[kfwilson6]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Shiny Little Pebble" by Pauline Pipa.]

---

3 out of 4 stars

---

Share This Review

---

We can never know just how much of an impact we have on the world around us. Every choice we make causes a ripple that expands out to impact the lives of others. The Shiny Little Pebble is a metaphorical story meant to teach young readers that each of us is important because each person impacts the world, even in ways that may not be obvious or noticeable. This book, written by Pauline P. Pipa, follows the ripple effect that is caused by the actual ripple created when a pebble lands in a pond. One small ripple becomes relevant to a frog, a rabbit, a goldfish, and a boy all beautifully illustrated by Julie Leiman Weaver.

The fact that the pebble’s splash into the pond results in an unanticipated sequence of events can be used as a catalyst for many profound discussions between parents and children. The author intended that young readers would understand that each person is important. Each person in this world can have a lasting impact on it, even beyond the scope of his knowledge; we may never know the results of the choices that we make. The story can also be used to teach children that actions have consequences. Furthermore, The Shiny Little Pebble can impart to children the idea that everything in the world is somehow connected. Although the world is a vast place, one thing leads to another in an endless stream of connections that link everyone and everything eventually.

The varied lessons that children can learn from the story of the pebble, and the domino effect it has on the world around it, are lessons I would deem appropriate for children ten years of age and older. However, the sentence structure, simplicity of the story, and difficulty level of the vocabulary are more suitable for children between the ages of four and eight. I also believe the metaphor would be lost on children who don’t analyze a book beyond its surface. For children who still read their storybooks as being completely literal, the metaphor will go unnoticed. The story without the lesson is quite uneventful and likely unable to capture a child’s interest.

Although on the surface the story is not incredibly appealing, the illustrations are rather eye-catching. They appear to be paintings of nature, and they are beautifully done. What I particularly like, that I would define as being very unique, is that the pebble, the frog, and the goldfish are all colored to be almost jewel-like against a very standard depiction of nature featuring lots of tones of brown and green. I enjoyed the effect the jewel-tones had on the illustrations.

Pipa uses The Shiny Little Pebble to impart much wisdom to children, but this wisdom will only be beneficial to children whose parents will take the time to explain all of the valuable lessons that can be learned from the results of the pebble’s small splash into the pond. Without parental guidance, I believe these lessons are too deep for most young kids to notice on their own. As a result of the combination of the simplicity of the story and the depth of the lessons to be learned from it, I recommend this book to parents of four to eight-year-old children who like to read educational stories to their kids. I believe the illustrations and myriad of valuable lessons make The Shiny Little Pebble worthy of 3 out of 4 stars. I am refraining from granting Pipa 4 stars due to the difficulty of pinpointing an appropriate age group that should read this book and two comma-related errors that are present in the roughly twenty sentences that comprise the story.

******
The Shiny Little Pebble
View: on Bookshelves

Like kfwilson6's review? Post a comment saying so!

[Book Lover 35]

Creative title. I like the positive theme behind it. It has a lot of important lessons for kids. Thank you for the review!

[Sonya Nicolaidis]

In the absence of a cover, it was impossible to tell that this was a children's book. I was pleased to read your review and discover the charming story that lies within. It is a pity the lesson is not more explicit, as it is a valuable one, to be sure. Still, it sounds like a good story for parents to read with their little ones. Thanks for your comments.

[kandscreeley]

I feel like this is a good lesson, but I'm not sure it would be attention-getting enough for kids. Therefore, I'm glad that the illustrations are so vivid. Still, I am not the age group for this book, and I have no kids. So, I'll probably skip it. Thanks for the review, though.

[T_stone]

A good book that can be used to teach children about life choices. I like the lessons in this book but I find it a challenge of children within the specified age group can't read it on their own. Will recommend it to my nieces and nephews. Great review

[Cecilia_L]

Although on the surface the story is not incredibly appealing, the illustrations are rather eye-catching. They appear to be paintings of nature, and they are beautifully done. What I particularly like, that I would define as being very unique, is that the pebble, the frog, and the goldfish are all colored to be almost jewel-like against a very standard depiction of nature featuring lots of tones of brown and green. I enjoyed the effect the jewel-tones had on the illustrations.

In some of the children's books I have reviewed, the illustrations have been lacking, but from your description, these sound lovely! Great review!

[Niski]

This is a very complex concept for children to understand. I agree that it should be read to children and explained by their parents. I do think, if the right attention is given, that this could be a very beneficial book for children.
Thanks for the review.

[Bianka Walter]

Oh cool! The butterfly effect explained to kids. That can't be an easy task.
Great review

[cpru68]

Well, this one makes me jealous that I don't have a child to read it to, but it sounds like something that adults could enjoy just as well. I love that this author took something so small to show kids how we can impact the world in a good way. This is what makes books so wonderful and no other media will take its place ever! The closeness of reading to a child and helping them learn life lessons is invaluable. I loved your review of this. Great job!

[Espie]

A wise person once said that a children's book is not worth reading if it isn't something an adult would read. I agree that the alluded lessons may indeed escape certain kids' age groups. Thus, it's notable that this one has captured your interest despite the areas for improvement you've identified. Thank you for your honest review.

[Nusrat_Shabnam_]

Honest review! I think the book deserves a try. I would surely try it someday. It deserves the rating you just provided.

[Jackie Holycross]

What a great theme, but too bad it does not shine forth well enough from the story.

[kfwilson6]

Well, this one makes me jealous that I don't have a child to read it to, but it sounds like something that adults could enjoy just as well. I love that this author took something so small to show kids how we can impact the world in a good way. This is what makes books so wonderful and no other media will take its place ever! The closeness of reading to a child and helping them learn life lessons is invaluable. I loved your review of this. Great job!

Thank you! I love children's books with subtle lessons. I don't have any children either. Reviewing children's books on OBC has given me a great opportunity to see what is out there and know how high to set my standards when I do have kids to read to

[Fozia-Bajwa]

This is a book best for the young readers who want to learn to strengthen the relationship with their parents. Because the profound discussion between children and parents has been described in this book. thanks for the review.

[Shrabastee Chakraborty]

That is a very realistic point you have mentioned that the metaphor will very likely go uncomprehended by the target audience. However, it is good that the illustrations are there to capture their attention. Thanks for the insightful review!