the pencil

I checked out this book from the library for Jack sometime last month. Every time I try to return it, he gets these huge crocodile tears and begs to check it out again or literally starts crying. I guess we will have to purchase it to keep Jack's little heart from breaking.

I first saw this book, in passing, sitting on a shelf at the library of my niece's elementary school. I loved the cover so much, I searched it out next time we did a library run.

The Pencil, by Allan Ahlberg and Bruce Ingman, is a story featuring a pencil that is all alone. One day, he decides to draw a boy. The boy wants a dog, so the pencil draws him one. The dog wants a cat, so the pencil draws him one... and so on and so on until there is trouble! The illustrations are great and it has such a sweet ending.

Worth checking out. Worth buying according to Jack.

the great paper caper

Our latest and greatest find at the library this week, was one of my favorite authors and illustrators, Oliver Jeffs. We first found him first with his book, The Incredible Book Eating Boy - which started Jack's obsession with eating broccoli. His illustrations are amazing and the story lines are always creative, but with a cute underlying principle. The Great Paper Caper seems to suggest the importance of recycling and conservation, but if anything, it is entertaining and unique. (Don't miss the great instructions on the inside covers of the book about paper airplane making).

Jeffs always uses a great mix of handwritten fonts and very Wes Anderson style typeset fonts. The colors are beautiful, the characters are endearing and humorous. He has several more books out, and I can't wait to go find them next.

You should check him out.