Linus the Little Yellow Pencil

March 18, 2019
Linus the pencil yearns to compete in the family art show with all the other office implements. But Ernie, the red eraser that sits at the top of Linus’s bright yellow body, has a mind of his own, and it’s the equivalent of a human’s inner critic. Ernie is convinced that Linus’s art will be an embarrassment and thus thwarts any attempt at art-making. “You call that a straight line?” Ernie scowls, then “Rubba-dubba-rubb went Ernie, and Linus’s line was gone.” Some advice from a composite figure living inside the pencil sharpener (“Let the eraser erase. It is no matter”) rescues Linus from a spiral of self-doubt and inspires him to enlist Ernie in blending and smudging, adding drama and texture to their drawings just in time for the big show (“They drew wildly and joyfully together”). Effusive text by Magoon (Rescue & Jessica) can feel overeager, but the digital drawings offer an unbridled energy that veers between bold poster styling and the intriguing chaos of a relentlessly creative artist’s sketch pad. Ages 3–5.

June 1, 2019

PreS-Gr 2-All Linus (a little yellow No. 2 pencil) wants to do is make his mark in his upcoming family art show. He is full of inspiration but is always dissed and discouraged by his eraser Ernie. They just can't seem to see eye to eye. As the show draws closer and pressure begins to mount, Linus begins to doubt himself, which is the worst feeling of all. At the edge of his page, Linus meets a mentor of sorts in an unlikely place, who urges him to worry less about Ernie and to find his path simply by drawing it. Feeling more inspired than ever, he gets to work. With a little drawing from Linus, and a little erasing from Ernie, they create beautifully, uniquely smudged art. And they couldn't have done it without each other. Their art has the most heart; they lived happily ever after. Magoon reminds readers of the power of sharing the creative process and sticking with it. His humor shines through as puns punctuate the pages, which are also filled with expressive and energetic drawings. VERDICT This book has an important message to embrace the creative process, wrapped up in the package of one punny picture book.-Elizabeth Blake, Brooklyn Public Library

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2019
A pencil goes through an existential crisis when his eraser criticizes his art. The upcoming art show and its attendant grand prize have got Linus, a little yellow pencil, and all the other art supplies (crayons, a paintbrush, and a ruler, among others) very excited. But at the other end from Linus' point, eraser Ernie is extremely critical of Linus' drawings. Ernie moves from embarrassment at their quality to outright anger, and he takes it out on Linus. The pencil's cheerful expression soon morphs from worry through sadness and shock to depression as Linus watches the other supplies creating beautiful work. Then, "feeling dull," Linus meets Smudge in a "cave" (a pencil sharpener) and gets some solid advice about using the talents you have when you are able: "Find your path by drawing it." And Linus does just that, finding a way for him to draw and for Ernie to erase that creates something totally new and different. Readers will notice that although their work attracts a crowd at the show, no grand prize is awarded, which makes the ending more of a fizzle than a finale. Magoon's digital artwork uses scanned paper textures manipulated in Photoshop, with color used masterfully--the result emphasizes the different looks achieved by using the various art supplies. The simple but expressive faces on the implements are standouts. Magoon gets his message across: Be the best you you can be. (Picture book. 4-8)

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