" The Pencil is an incredible look into a life not many people get to see or experience. While the setting of the igloo and the Inuit customs set the story0020apart and elevate it to something unique, the experience of children being bored, eager to explore their surroundings and especially the things that are "forbidden" to them is very much universal. The fact that the story is based on the author's own experiences grounds it and pulls the reader right into the cozy home, making it easy to imagine the sounds, smells and sights of that one afternoon. The illustrations are beautiful, a limited color palette only serving to accentuate the sketch-like quality of the lines that seem to have been drawn by the same pencil that is at the center of the story. A wonderful message about using resources wisely while not letting go of your imagination, The Pencil is a must-read for kids and adults alike. Highly Recommended" -- CM Magazine "A family-focused story with a light moral that lovingly illuminates a lifestyle rarely seen in children's books." -- School Library Journal "A wonderful and touching story about resilience and thrift and community." -- New York Times.