March 30^th is National Pencil Day marking the day that Hymen Lipman received the patent for attaching an eraser to the end of a pencil in 1858.

While other writing instruments seem to dominate the picture book scene – crayons, chalk, markers – the ubiquitous pencil is finally getting its moment. 

Here is a curated collection of sharp, pencil-themed picture books to share with young readers on Pencil Day. (Or see my full, ever-expanding list is available on Bookshop.org.)

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.

Ever wonder why there’s an eraser on every pencil? This picture book tells the story of how Pencil and Eraser became friends. When Pencil draws on the pages of the book, Eraser erases part of Pencil’s work, and the book becomes a canvas for their different takes on creativity–until they discover their artwork is better when they work together. 

Stubby: A Pencil’s Journey
Written by Sydra Mallery
Illustrated by John Hare

It all started in a forest.

Before working hard in the classroom and being sharpened down to a stub, Stubby was a towering cedar tree in a forest far away. It hasn’t been easy for Stubby—he’s been sliced and chewed, made friends and lost them, and even spent three dusty days on the floor before being scooped up . Stubby describes each step of his journey from tree to pencil to writer from his own (very silly, very dramatic, very creative) point of view. Coming August 2026!

Little Red Writing
Written by Joan
Illustrated by Juliana Motzko

In this hilarious re-telling of Little Red Riding Hood, a brave little red pencil finds her way through the many perils of story composition, faces a ravenous pencil sharpener (the Wolf 3000), and saves the day.

Arabella and the Magic Pencil
Written by Stephanie Ward
Illustrated by Shaney Hyde

Arabella is a beloved only child who has a picture perfect life until her brother, Avery, arrives. While she loves him, it’s sometimes hard to like him. She spends her days creating marvellous things with her magic pencil and ignoring him. But when Avery spoils a proper tea party, Arabella erases him from her life. Oops! How can she get him back? 

Celebrate Pencil Day by reading one of these great picture books and try out this FREE pencil-themed activity for kids.

Arabella’s Magic Pencil Craft Download