Unlikely Heroes: Picture Books About Pens, Pencils, and Crayons
I am a big fan of quirky picture books, and some of my favorites are stories about writing implements: pens, pencils, and crayons. Before I discovered these books, I didn't know that a pencil can be the hero of its own story. But, a good author can make a pencil or a crayon into a delightful character whose exploits are just as interesting as the humans and animals that populate most children’s picture books.
The Day the Crayons Quit
by Drew Daywalt; illustrated by by Oliver Jeffers
When Duncan arrives at school one morning, he finds a stack of letters, one from each of his crayons, complaining about how he uses them.
Little Red Writing
by Joan Holub; illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Once upon a time at school, a brave little red pencil set out to write an exciting story with nouns and adverbs and other interesting things—but first she had to face the ravenous pencil sharpener, the Wolf 3000.
The Little Red Pen
by Janet Stevens; illustrated by Susan Stevens Crummel
When a little red pen accidentally falls into the waste basket while trying to correct papers all by herself, the other classroom supplies must cooperate to rescue her.
Linus the Little Yellow Pencil
by Scott Magoon
Linus and his eraser, Ernie, don't always see eye to eye. But with the family art show drawing near, these two will have to sharpen their collaboration to make something neither one could do on their own!
When Pencil Met Eraser
by Karen Kilpatrick and Luis O. Ramos, Jr.; illustrated by Germán Blanco
A battle of wills ensues when Pencil, who knows his drawings to be perfect, encounters the different ideas of Eraser, who shows him how to try new things.
Pencil: A Story with a Point
by Ann Ingalls; illustrated by Dean Griffiths
When Jackson gets a new tablet, his creative mate Pencil can't compete with the videos, games, and movies, but Pencil sketches out a plan to draw Jackson back into their friendship.
Red: A Crayon's Story
by Michael Hall
Red's factory-applied label clearly says that he is red, but despite the best efforts of his teacher, fellow crayons and art supplies, and family members, he cannot seem to do anything right until a new friend offers a fresh perspective.
My Pen
by Christopher Myers
Acclaimed author and illustrator Christopher Myers uses rich black-and-white illustrations to bring a sketchbook to life, showing that with a simple pen, a kid can do anything!
Perfect
By Max Amato
A fussy eraser tries to keep the pages clean by erasing the scribbles of a mischievous pencil. But before long, the eraser discovers what can happen when two opposing forces come together to have fun. A delightful story that reveals the joys of collaborative imagination.
Pencil's Perfect Picture
By Jodu McKay; illus. Juliana Motzko
Pencil want's to draw the perfect picture for his dad. He asks his friends Brush, Pastel, Marker, Crayon, and Chalk what makes their art perfect. But they each have a different answer. How will Pencil create his own perfect picture?
Stewart's Best Pen
By Stephen W. Martin
Forging a best friendship after meeting at summer camp, a boy and a pen do everything together, from writing letters home; and collecting autographs; to sword-fighting; and teasing a sibling, until the pen goes missing, prompting a long-distance correspondence.
Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.