Pencil
The acclaimed duo behind The Runaway Dinner and Previously imagine the comical world that comes to life when a pencil starts to draw…
“A hilarious and utterly enchanting new classic” The Times
A special fifteenth anniversary edition of a modern classic. The Pencil is a playful, witty, wonderfully quirky story about the power of imagination.
Say hi to Banjo! Once a pencil draws him, there's no telling what will come next – a dog, a cat, a chase (of course), and a paintbrush to colour in an ever-expanding group of family and friends. But it's not long before the complaints begin – "This hat looks silly!" "My ears are too big!" – until the poor pencil has no choice but to draw … a rubber. Oh no! In the hands of Allan Ahlberg and Bruce Ingman, can anything but havoc and hilarity ensue?
With gorgeous golden foil on the cover and spine, this edition is one to share and treasure.
WINNER OF THE RED HOUSE CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD
SHORLISTED FOR THE ROALD DAHL FUNNY PRIZE
SHORLISTED FOR THE UKLA BOOK AWARD
Allan Ahlberg (1938-2025) wrote over 140 titles for children and was one of the most beloved children's book writers of his time. Allan's stories include The Pencil and The Runaway Dinner, both illustrated by Bruce Ingman, and bestselling stories illustrated by Janet Ahlberg: Funnybones, The Baby's Catalogue, The Jolly Postman, Peepo and Each Peach Pear Plum. Allan's books have been enjoyed the world over and have won numerous awards – the Kurt Maschler Award, the Blue Peter Award, the Kate Greenaway Medal and the Children's Book Award, to name but a few.
Bruce Ingman is an acclaimed artist and Illustration lecturer at Goldsmiths University. His first book, When Martha’s Away, won the 1996 Mother Goose Award for the most exciting British newcomer to children's books. Since then, he has made many more picture books, including Bad News, I’m in Charge and Boing!, written by Sean Taylor, and The Pencil and The Runaway Dinner, written by Allan Ahlberg.