The Pencil

Susan, her siblings, and parents live in an Iglu in Nunavut. The children are used to entertaining themselves with games and writing and drawing on ice. When their mother goes out, their father gives them a rare gift – her pencil and a single sheet of paper. For the first time the children experience using a pencil and paper and move on to drawing on used boxes and bags when the paper is full. This autobiographical picture book offers an authentic look at life in Canada’s North and can be used as a read-aloud to explore First People’s communities and culture, and to spark discussions of family, community, cultural values, relationships, and the importance of resourcefulness rather than consumerism.