Pencil

★ "Impeccably told... an enchanting tribute to the creative process and a celebration of patience and the natural world. A stunning ode to the natural world and the cyclical nature of imagination."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "This wordless picture book speaks volumes about conservation and the transformative power of art. Self-referential colored pencil illustrations follow the journey of a pencil from tree to pencil to tree again in the hands of an imaginative artist. As colorful trees are cut down, the animals who call them home are forced to flee; a girl's care and effort creates a haven for them once more, silently encouraging a more thoughtful approach to consumerism and the environment."--Foreword Reviews, starred review

"(An) exquisitely drawn wordless story... this spare, elegant narrative tells a larger story about the destruction of natural resources, seeding hope that the next generation will restore them."--Publishers Weekly

What is a pencil? A forest transformed. In this beautifully illustrated wordless picture book, young readers can follow a pencil's life cycle from tree to factory to store shelf and back to tree.

Even the simplest tool contains multitudes. Once a living tree, then a manufactured commodity, a pencil in the hands of a young artist becomes the key to a rich imaginative world. In this expansive, gorgeously illustrated story, creator Hye-Yun Kim asks us to see and appreciate the full value--and infinite possibilities--of the pencil, as well as other seemingly mundane objects around us. This powerful aid teaches readers essential visual literacy skills and celebrates the creative process.

Author: Hye-Eun Kim
Publisher: Toon Books
Published: 03/18/2025
Pages: 48
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.05lbs
Size: 11.10h x 8.58w x 0.47d
ISBN: 9781662665530
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 12/02/2024
Kirkus Reviews 01/15/2025
Foreword 02/17/2025
Horn Book Magazine 07/01/2025 pg. 78
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2025 - Superior,Well Above Average

About the Author
Hye-Eun Kim was born in South Korea. She began her career as a graphic designer and currently works as a freelance illustrator, usually working in portraits and fashion design.