The Room of Wonders

By Sergio Ruzzier

Pius Pelosi, a young pack rat, is a born collector who fills a room with his marvelous findings, attracting curious visitors. His very favorite item, a plain gray pebble, is given a place of honor, which baffles everyone. They all ask why he would keep such an ordinary stone. Bowing to public opinion, Pius gets rid of it, but in doing so, he discovers he's lost much more than just the pebble. This philosophical tale about a small creature who has the eye and soul of an artist is brought to life in distinctly droll watercolor illustrations.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0374363439
• ISBN13: 9780374363437
• Release Date: April 2006
• Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 0.97 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 9.0" x 11.3"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Wonderful

My daughter and I read this book all the time and never tire of it. The art is beautiful and quirky, and the story is thoughtful and, ultimately, meaningful for both younger and older readers.

Thoughtful parable

I found this to be a really magical story, thoughtful along the lines of "Peter's Chair" and "Waiting for Gregory." Rather than a tale of creativity, as the reviewer notes, I took it to be a narrative of addictive consumption/hoarding and its difficult cure -- an important lesson for today's over-toyed children. The story does not needlessly belabor; it hits just the right note. And children (4+) really love to examine and discuss every single item in the room of wonders.