The Pencil (English)

A breath of warmth from the far north.

PreS-Gr 2--An Inuit elder shares a memory of her childhood in this appealing picture book. One day, when Anaana (mother) has to help deliver a neighbor's baby, children Susan, Rebecca, and Peter must entertain themselves. Ataata (father) tells stories, they play games, and they practice writing on the icy window. Then Ataata surprises them by bringing out one of Anaana's prized possessions--a tiny, well-worn pencil, used for writing letters on bags, wrappers, and sometimes, on precious pieces of paper. He encourages them to write and draw, offering up a single sheet of unmarked paper. All day, Susan and her siblings marvel as their drawings materialize on the page. When Anaana returns, her initial hesitation at seeing the pencil smaller than before is tempered by the joy her children have in sharing their drawings with her. While she reminds them all how important it is to use the few resources that they have wisely, she also affirms the value of what they created. Avingaq's memories of an affectionate, close-knit family are perfectly captured by Chua's expressive cartoon illustrations. VERDICT A family-focused story with a light moral that lovingly illuminates a lifestyle rarely seen in children's books. A solid purchase for larger collections.--Chelsea Couillard-Smith, Hennepin County Library, MN

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

The Pencil is an incredible look into a life not many people get to see or experience. While the setting of the igloo and the Inuit customs set the story apart and elevate it to something unique, the experience of children being bored, eager to explore their surroundings and especially the things that are ''forbidden" to them is very much universal. The fact that the story is based on the author's own experiences grounds it and pulls the reader right into the cozy home, making it easy to imagine the sounds, smells and sights of that one afternoon. The illustrations are beautiful, a limited color palette only serving to accentuate the sketch-like quality of the lines that seem to have been drawn by the same pencil that is at the center of the story. A wonderful message about using resources wisely while not letting go of your imagination, The Pencil is a must-read for kids and adults alike. Highly Recommended