It’s funny how a whole slew of similar books will publish around the same time. Within the last couple of years, I noticed picture books about pencils and erasers become a prominent theme. While these all take “the same” main characters, different authors give their versions distinct personalities. So, I’m sharing a few of my favorite picture books about pencils and erasers from the past few years. Maybe the trend will come back around someday and my own craft-supply-themed picture book (which was a finalist for the 2018 Katherine Paterson Prize) will finally get published.
Eraser by Anna Kang illustrated by Christopher Weyant
Eraser is jealous of Pencil and his friends who get all the attention. When she leaves and winds up in the trash can, she gets a new perspective from the first drafts. “I create second chances. Mistakes make us great!”
Linus the Little Yellow Pencil written and illustrated by Scott Magoon
Linus the Little Yellow Pencil wants to enter the art contest, but his eraser Ernie is critical of everything he draws. Just when he’s ready to give up, Linus gets some new inspiration from the pencil sharpener. He and Ernie work together to create the art with the most heart.
When Pencil Met Eraser by Karen Kilpatrick illustrated by Luis O. Ramos Jr.
Pencil is serious about his art, but Eraser keeps “fixing” it. Little by little, Pencil realizes they really are better together than apart.
Perfect written and illustrated by Max Amato
Eraser wants to keep the pages clean while Pencil wants to play. When Pencil’s mess has taken over, Eraser feels lost. Finally he discovers Pencil’s blacked out pages have given him a new way to create that’s more interesting the clean pages.
Little Red Writing written by Joan Holub and illustrated by Melissa Sweet
This clever tale takes Little Red, a pencil at Pencil School, through the task of writing a story. First, she learns to stay on the story path. Later, she encounters a descriptive forest of adjectives, a verb gym, conjunction glue, and more. And finally, she manages to save Principle Granny from a very unexpected wolf. The delightful illustrations make this a book to linger over and read again.
If you’re looking for more books featuring inanimate objects, Amy Krouse Rosenthall is the master with books like Spoon and Chopsticks. Check out my review of her Little Pea.
And if you love picture books that you can read again and again, click here to download my free list of re-readable picture books.
