Pencil: A Story with a Point

Back in a sharp new edition, this oh-so-punny friendship story is making its mark.

Pencil and his boy Jackson are a great pair: they draw, they sketch, they scribble. But then Jackson gets Tablet and Pencil finds himself dumped in the dreaded junk drawer; he just can't compete with Tablet's videos, games, and movies. How will Pencil ever reclaim Jackson's attention? With the help of some new pun-loving junk-drawer friends (and a drooling, pencil-chomping dog), Pencil sketches out a plan to draw Jackson back into their friendship.

A former educator whose first book was shortlisted for a Crystal Kite award, author Ann Ingalls uses kid-friendly puns and an upbeat tone in this story that celebrates friendship, collaboration, and unplugged fun. Buoyed by award-winning artist Dean Griffith's always-exuberant illustrations, Pencil: A Story with a Point is a gentle reminder that technology is no match for imagination.

Ann Ingalls is the author of more than twenty books for children and adults, including Little Piano Girl, a finalist for the Crystal Kite Award, and Pencil, which earned a starred review from Foreword Reviews, was a Bank Street Best Book, and was a finalist for the Sunshine State Young Readers Award Jr. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Ann graduated from Michigan State University and worked as an early childhood and special education teacher. She now writes full time at home in Kansas City, Missouri--except, of course, when she is busy traveling the world.

Dean Griffiths is a popular picture book artist with more than 25 titles to his name. His many awards include the Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Book Prize for Maggie Can't Wait, the Chocolate Lily Award for Ballerinas Don't Wear Glasses, and the Rainforest of Reading Award for Bad Pirate. His most recent books include Timo's Party and Best Pirate. Dean lives in Duncan, British Columbia, with his daughter.