Once Stella and the other students leave the classroom, Pencil and Eraser are ready to introduce themselves to the reader! Pencil is 
exuberant, friendly, and determined. Eraser is subdued, pragmatic, and loyal.Eraser is also observant and notices that Pencil is a little… dull. Pencil needs to be sharp and ready for Stella when she gets back. The journey to the sharpener has begun!
Pencil & Eraser: We Have a Dull-emma! is a humorous yet sweet graphic novel for elementary school age readers. It is a story of two school supplies, Pencil and Eraser, who wake up once the kids leave the classroom à la Toy Story. However, they immediately break the fourth wall and welcome the reader into their world. Pencil is definitely excited to say hello, but Eraser is a little more reserved. Eraser happens to notice that Pencil’s tip is dull. A page-sized panel subtly shows Pencil’s worry that Stella may not be happy with a dull pencil, and so Pencil is determined to “sharpen up,” as Eraser suggests. This sets in motion the “dull-emma” of the story: Pencil, who is determined and Eraser, who is slightly begrudging, must find a sharpener and figure out how to get to it before the students return to class.
Pencil and Eraser’s story is divided into short chapters that showcase various parts of their adventure. Each chapter is followed by a joke break. Though the story is carried by the comedy, the friendship between Pencil and Eraser is what makes the journey worth it. From the aforementioned panel showcasing Pencil’s worry about Stella’s reaction to a later panel featuring Eraser, who may be a little grumpy, being there for Pencil no matter what, the duo’s dilemma is full of hijinks but also heart.
The art of Pencil & Eraser: We Have a Dull-emma! is bright and adorable. Alvarado has a particular talent of taking simple panels, which are beneficial in helping young readers follow along with the story, and allowing her dynamic characters to take over them in a friendly manner that draws the reader in and almost makes them part of the story. Alvarado’s expressive eyes on both Pencil and Eraser help distinguish their different personalities. Small characteristics like Pencil’s eyelashes and Eraser’s hair tuft accentuates their personalities that are being conveyed through the text. Alvarado includes a fun how-to-draw Pencil and Eraser section at the end of the graphic novel.
Even their little arms and hands, which are so simple, help flesh out their characters. In one panel, Pencil has their hands clasped near their face as they try to persuade Eraser to introduce themselves; in another panel, Eraser balls their hands into little fists as they try to get Pencil’s attention. Little artistic details like these serve as context clues for readers and help them to understand the text.
The publisher’s age rating for Pencil & Eraser: We Have a Dull-emma! is ages 5-8, which is just right. Emerging readers will enjoy the comedy and gentle lesson and will be able to easily follow along with the story thanks to Alvarado’s charming art and concise writing perfectly presented in simple word bubbles with an accessible font type and size. Young readers who love puns, jokes, and a buddy duo with the flair of Sesame Street’s Bert and Ernie will want more adventures with Pencil and Eraser.
Pencil & Eraser: We Have a Dull-emma!
By Jenny Alvarado
Penguin Random House, 2024
ISBN: 9780593699768
Company Age Rating: 5-8
NFNT Age Recommendation: Easy Readers (5-9)
