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Never Satisfied: The Story of The Stonecutter
A hilarious story about thinking the grass is greener somewhere else
Have you ever wished you were someone else? Stanley the stonecutter has, because cutting stones is hard work for a frog! So Stanley wishes he could have it easy like the tea-drinking businessman…and, boom, he’s transformed. Then he decides he’d be better off as the majestic king. But even that isn’t good enough when he sees the radiant sun. Why, if he were the sun, everyone would look up to him, right? Hmm, will Stanley ever be satisfied?
Dave Horowitz’s fantastic collage illustrations bring this classic folktale to hilarious life as Stanley’s endless comparisons bring him full circle. Maybe being yourself is not half bad after all!
Have you ever wished you were someone else? Stanley the stonecutter has, because cutting stones is hard work for a frog! So Stanley wishes he could have it easy like the tea-drinking businessman…and, boom, he’s transformed. Then he decides he’d be better off as the majestic king. But even that isn’t good enough when he sees the radiant sun. Why, if he were the sun, everyone would look up to him, right? Hmm, will Stanley ever be satisfied?
Dave Horowitz’s fantastic collage illustrations bring this classic folktale to hilarious life as Stanley’s endless comparisons bring him full circle. Maybe being yourself is not half bad after all!
32 pages, Hardcover
Published July 17, 2018
33 people want to read
About the author
Dave Horowitz
26 books24 followersMy name is dave horowitz. I grew up in Smithtown, New York in the 1970s. Instead of paying attention in school I drew pictures of my teachers. Then I went to a famous art college in Rhode Island and studied coloring.
In 1992 I graduated and went to Oregon to play drums and drink coffee. Then I moved to New York City and worked next door to the Twin Towers. Then I learned how to climb rocks and got fired.
Then I climbed rocks.
I moved up to the Hudson Valley and then to California and then to New Hampshire and then back to the Hudson Valley. Then I got a job as a “professional” rock climber. Then I got too old for that.
I still live in the Hudson Valley where I write and illustrate picture books. Also, I'm a paramedic. So far so good…
In 1992 I graduated and went to Oregon to play drums and drink coffee. Then I moved to New York City and worked next door to the Twin Towers. Then I learned how to climb rocks and got fired.
Then I climbed rocks.
I moved up to the Hudson Valley and then to California and then to New Hampshire and then back to the Hudson Valley. Then I got a job as a “professional” rock climber. Then I got too old for that.
I still live in the Hudson Valley where I write and illustrate picture books. Also, I'm a paramedic. So far so good…
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 18, 2019
4.5 stars. Great story. Will love to share this with kids. Love the illustrations as well.
September 21, 2018
Familiar story with fresh illustrations.
March 6, 2019
This is my new favorite book!
November 5, 2018
Never Satisfied: The Story of the Stonecutter by Dave Horowitz. PICTURE BOOK. Nancy Paulsen Book (Penguin Young Readers Group), 2018. $17. 9780399548468
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE.
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
A frog named Stanley starts this book as a stonecutter. When he sees a businessman in a cafe, he wishes, and is granted, to be a businessman. Being a businessman is great until he sees a king and wishes to be a king. He is grated this wish, but then realizes that the sun in the sky has more power than he does. This goes on until he wishes to be a stone and realizes the stonecutter has more power than he.
This is a great book with a simple message, simple text, and simple illustrations that all work together well. This would be a great addition to a unit on fables or folktales. I think a wide range of ages will be able to follow along and understand the message of this story, although appreciating the value of the lesson will land better with older readers.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE.
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
A frog named Stanley starts this book as a stonecutter. When he sees a businessman in a cafe, he wishes, and is granted, to be a businessman. Being a businessman is great until he sees a king and wishes to be a king. He is grated this wish, but then realizes that the sun in the sky has more power than he does. This goes on until he wishes to be a stone and realizes the stonecutter has more power than he.
This is a great book with a simple message, simple text, and simple illustrations that all work together well. This would be a great addition to a unit on fables or folktales. I think a wide range of ages will be able to follow along and understand the message of this story, although appreciating the value of the lesson will land better with older readers.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
September 10, 2018
This picture book is one that will be great to read when elementary school classes study of folktales. Based on an old Chinese folktale called, The Stonecutter, this story includes an important lesson learned. The illustrations are good, and the primary color scheme is a perfect fit for the story. If used in a classroom setting, the book's abrupt ending may need further explanation.
January 3, 2019
I love Humpty Dumpty Climbs Again!! One of my favorite read alouds to my Kindergartners.
This will find a place in a teacher's folktale unit, but was not "hilarious". Kids liked art and understood the lesson.
This will find a place in a teacher's folktale unit, but was not "hilarious". Kids liked art and understood the lesson.
December 20, 2019
A quick read about a frog who is always thinking that being something else would be better, and is transformed into the thing he desires. Yet he is brought full circle when he becomes stone and is chipped at by a stonecutter, the very occupation he desired to leave.
February 10, 2024
This was pretty hilarious in an ironic way. Stanley is a stone cutter who finds one day he is able to wish himself into being something else. And something else. And something else. A lesson that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. I really enjoyed the pictures.
July 3, 2018
Well done version of the old story. Funny illustrations help make this a good choice for young readers.
August 2, 2018
A funny retelling of an old folk tale.
August 14, 2018
An easy read with good illustrations. The only problem is, just like the author's note at the first, most kids might need the abrupt ending explained. It can make for a good life lesson though.
August 21, 2018
Excellent retelling of the classic tale!
August 21, 2018
Fable. Enjoyed the author's note.
September 4, 2018
his book had potential to have a great moral, but I don't think that potential was fully realized.
Also, there never seemed to be any consequences for the Stonecutter.
Also, there never seemed to be any consequences for the Stonecutter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2018
Cute story about a frog who is never satisfied with where he is in life -- and where he ends up.
October 1, 2018
The fable is told in a playful fun way, but I'm not sure if the message is a match for kids or if it is something that fits more for adults.
October 27, 2018
Be careful what you wish for.
April 4, 2019
Excellent retelling of the folktale
April 14, 2019
A good read-aloud. could be made into a felt storytime
December 1, 2021
A stonecutter realizes too late that he shouldn't wish recklessly
June 21, 2022
Book giveaway readalouds - June 21, 2022
This simplified retelling of an old folktale uses a circular pattern to teach a lesson to one who always sees happiness as being just out reach.
This simplified retelling of an old folktale uses a circular pattern to teach a lesson to one who always sees happiness as being just out reach.
June 25, 2024
Maybe a tad far fetched and silly but over all a lesson can be learned on contentment!
November 22, 2018
Nice graphics and simple, easy to follow story that ends up coming full circle. Wasn't overly interesting or original.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews