The pencil drew a boy (the boy’s name is Banjo)-and the boy needs a dog, and the dog needs a cat, and they all need someplace to live.  And they’re all black and white-obviously the pencil needs to draw a paintbrush that can colour them in.  But what’s this?  An eraser?

The Pencil is an imaginative and funny story, simply and straightforwardly narrated in a way that reminded me of a child describing her drawing.  The illustrations are charmingly scribbly, starting as simple black and white outlines that grow and expand along with the story.  Children who worry about their art being “good” and have trouble getting their ideas onto paper might get a knowing chuckle out of the fight between the pencil and the out-of-control eraser, but all should enjoy this unique and well-presented picture book.

Grade Level: ~2

Rating:  ★★★1/2