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.
- Books
- Kids Fiction & Indies
- Kids Indie
- Pencil
Pencil
Author(s)
Publisher Name
TOON Books
Age Range
4+
Release Date
March 18, 2025
ISBN13
978-1662665530
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.
Editor review
1 review
Life of a Pencil
(Updated: June 04, 2026)
Overall rating
4.0
Plot
4.0
Characters
4.0
Writing Style
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
4.0
“Pencil” by Hye-Eun Kim is a picture book that doesn’t contain words, but does include engaging illustrations that tell the story. Those who read the book are taken on a journey through a pencil’s life as it is taken from the tree to a factory to being sold in a store, and then back to its origin in the tree. The artwork in the story was drawn with colored pencils and markers, and it vividly showcases the pencil’s life cycle.
The back matter of the book shares how to read a silent book, from creating a quiet space to rereading, play acting the ideas within the story, asking questions, and reflecting on the story’s themes. The book provides an interesting way of delving into the value of items and how they come to be, no matter how much one might take them for granted.
The back matter of the book shares how to read a silent book, from creating a quiet space to rereading, play acting the ideas within the story, asking questions, and reflecting on the story’s themes. The book provides an interesting way of delving into the value of items and how they come to be, no matter how much one might take them for granted.
Good Points
The book provides an interesting way of delving into the value of items and how they come to be, no matter how much one might take them for granted.
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