Linus the Little Yellow Pencil by Scott Magoon - ESSENTIAL

Linus the Little Yellow Pencil by Scott Magoon .  PICTURE BOOK.  Disney, 2019. $17.00. 9781368006279

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Linus is a pencil, and Ernie is his eraser. They are going to enter an art contest, but Ernie is concerned that Linus’s art might embarrass them. He starts to erase everything that Linus draws, causing the once happy artist to question his own abilities. Linus seeks the help of a sage in a cave (pencil shavings in the dark pencil sharpener). He regains his confidence and finds a way to work together with Ernie to create a whole new art style. Filled with spectacular artwork that would be fun to share with a group.

I LOVED this book! It’s got so much going for it..themes of friendship, cooperation, confidence, creativity, and finding new solutions. It could be used by an art teacher to encourage budding artists to go with their gut and just create, but I think any teacher could use this book to encourage cooperation and creative thinking. The artwork is top notch, so creative and at time, just beautiful. One of the best picture books I have reviewed in years.

Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author.