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Pencil & Eraser: We Have a Dull-Emma!: An Early Reader Graphic Novel
Fans of Narwhal and Jelly & Pizza and Taco, prepare to meet your new favorite duo! This hilarious new early-reader graphic novel series follows the adventures of two best friend school supplies: Pencil and Eraser!
Pencil is a joyous adventure seeker and Eraser is a cautious curmudgeon. And when their human person Stella isn’t watching, these two unlikely friends go on all sorts of adventures!
It's the start of a new school year, and Pencil and Eraser are ready for anything. Except when Pencil notices her point has dulled. That's never happened before and she feels...pointless. Stella can't write with a dull pencil. So what can Pencil do?
The only answer is to leave the comfort of their desk behind and venture out to find a sharpener. But if Pencil is going on an adventure, she'll need to bring her (reluctant) bestie Eraser along for the ride. Together they'll have to traverse the classroom, scale a mountain-sized desk, enter uncharted territory of the school hallway, and avoid being caught by the janitor. Can Pencil and Eraser manage all that before Stella and her classmates return from recess?
Pencil is a joyous adventure seeker and Eraser is a cautious curmudgeon. And when their human person Stella isn’t watching, these two unlikely friends go on all sorts of adventures!
It's the start of a new school year, and Pencil and Eraser are ready for anything. Except when Pencil notices her point has dulled. That's never happened before and she feels...pointless. Stella can't write with a dull pencil. So what can Pencil do?
The only answer is to leave the comfort of their desk behind and venture out to find a sharpener. But if Pencil is going on an adventure, she'll need to bring her (reluctant) bestie Eraser along for the ride. Together they'll have to traverse the classroom, scale a mountain-sized desk, enter uncharted territory of the school hallway, and avoid being caught by the janitor. Can Pencil and Eraser manage all that before Stella and her classmates return from recess?
80 pages, Hardcover
Published September 10, 2024
17 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 30, 2024
Pencil & Eraser: We Have a Dull-Emma! is SO CUTE! My husband and I both loved looking through this brightly-illustrated and witty graphic novel, even though I’m not typically a fan of that style of book. The humor is spot-on for adult readers too but will most definitely have elementary students giggling often – especially at Pencil’s exuberance and Eraser’s curmudgeonly-ness. No big moral lesson or agenda, just some good clean lighthearted fun.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
August 24, 2025
My 4 and 7 year-olds had some good laughs with this book, so that’s a good sign!
Read
September 21, 2024See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/pencil...
WE HAVE A DULL-EMMA is a charming graphic novel about perseverance and friendship. Pencil and Eraser are friends, and as they introduce themselves to the reader, Eraser notes that Pencil has gotten dull. Eager to be sharp before Stella comes back from recess, Pencil sets out on a quest to the sharpener, bringing a reluctant Eraser along. Their journey is complicated when the classroom pencil sharpener is broken, but luckily, Pencil will not be deterred. Will they make it back in time before the end of recess?
What I loved: This was a straight-forward and colorful graphic novel with characters that were easy to love and a simple story that was easy to follow. This is a fantastic pick for early independent readers due to the simple language, heavy use of illustrations, and comedic plot. Pencil and Eraser are a sunshine/grumpy pair, and their interactions infused the story with a lot of humor. Adding to that, there were some clever punny jokes interspersed in the story as well.
Plans and intentions go awry throughout, making this quite a quick and clever read. Children will appreciate the comedy and the juxtapositions of the two characters and their personalities that shine from every page. The backmatter includes how-to drawings of the characters so that children who are inspired can create their own stories.
The format was great. Words were large and well-spaced out, making pages turn quickly and helping young readers gain confidence. The story is also broken into a few chapters to help with places to stop and pick it up again as needed. The dialogue was easily attributable with a story that was simple to follow, even when read slowly. As such, this is a fantastic pick for early independent readers.
Final verdict: WE HAVE A DULL-EMMA is a clever and humorous graphic novel about friendship, problem-solving, and reaching for your goals with a format that is perfect for young independent readers. Highly recommend for young elementary school aged children!
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
WE HAVE A DULL-EMMA is a charming graphic novel about perseverance and friendship. Pencil and Eraser are friends, and as they introduce themselves to the reader, Eraser notes that Pencil has gotten dull. Eager to be sharp before Stella comes back from recess, Pencil sets out on a quest to the sharpener, bringing a reluctant Eraser along. Their journey is complicated when the classroom pencil sharpener is broken, but luckily, Pencil will not be deterred. Will they make it back in time before the end of recess?
What I loved: This was a straight-forward and colorful graphic novel with characters that were easy to love and a simple story that was easy to follow. This is a fantastic pick for early independent readers due to the simple language, heavy use of illustrations, and comedic plot. Pencil and Eraser are a sunshine/grumpy pair, and their interactions infused the story with a lot of humor. Adding to that, there were some clever punny jokes interspersed in the story as well.
Plans and intentions go awry throughout, making this quite a quick and clever read. Children will appreciate the comedy and the juxtapositions of the two characters and their personalities that shine from every page. The backmatter includes how-to drawings of the characters so that children who are inspired can create their own stories.
The format was great. Words were large and well-spaced out, making pages turn quickly and helping young readers gain confidence. The story is also broken into a few chapters to help with places to stop and pick it up again as needed. The dialogue was easily attributable with a story that was simple to follow, even when read slowly. As such, this is a fantastic pick for early independent readers.
Final verdict: WE HAVE A DULL-EMMA is a clever and humorous graphic novel about friendship, problem-solving, and reaching for your goals with a format that is perfect for young independent readers. Highly recommend for young elementary school aged children!
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Read
September 23, 2025It’s the start of a new school year, and Pencil and Eraser face their first big dilemma. Pencil is dull. As in, her point is the opposite of sharp.
Pencil, who almost always exudes joy, panics.
“What should I do?” she asks Eraser, a stout white-and-pink curmudgeon.
“Sharpen up,” Eraser says.
“That is a great idea!” Pencil shouts, picking up Eraser for a hug.
So begins 'Pencil & Eraser: We Have a Dull-Emma!' – the first book in a new early-reader graphic novel series by Jenny Alvarado. Out now from G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, this imaginative story is equal parts hilarious and endearing as readers join Pencil and Eraser on an epic adventure to find a sharpener. The author-illustrator threads in joke breaks in between some chapters for additional laughs. A special touch comes at the end, with tutorials from Alvarado on how young readers can draw Pencil and Eraser themselves.
The second book in the series – 'Pencil & Eraser: Lost and Frown!' – is slated to release next year.
I spoke with Alvarado about how this series came to be, developing her memorable characters, and more, for Latinx in Publishing: https://latinxinpublishing.com/blog/w...
Pencil, who almost always exudes joy, panics.
“What should I do?” she asks Eraser, a stout white-and-pink curmudgeon.
“Sharpen up,” Eraser says.
“That is a great idea!” Pencil shouts, picking up Eraser for a hug.
So begins 'Pencil & Eraser: We Have a Dull-Emma!' – the first book in a new early-reader graphic novel series by Jenny Alvarado. Out now from G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, this imaginative story is equal parts hilarious and endearing as readers join Pencil and Eraser on an epic adventure to find a sharpener. The author-illustrator threads in joke breaks in between some chapters for additional laughs. A special touch comes at the end, with tutorials from Alvarado on how young readers can draw Pencil and Eraser themselves.
The second book in the series – 'Pencil & Eraser: Lost and Frown!' – is slated to release next year.
I spoke with Alvarado about how this series came to be, developing her memorable characters, and more, for Latinx in Publishing: https://latinxinpublishing.com/blog/w...
September 26, 2024
Children's graphic novel, early reader level. This start to a new series features one very positive, if currently dull, pencil, and one grumpy eraser. Eraser learns it is dull and sets out on an adventure, with the reluctant eraser. But the pencil sharpener in their classroom is dull, and there are so many closed doors in the hallway. Will they be able to get pencil sharpened and back to the desk for the next day of school?
This is at a very low Lexile level, 400, which is firmly in 1st grade. But with the fairly thick binding and the graphic novel format, it would be attractive to older and struggling readers without looking too young. It does also have chapters. The font is all in caps with no serifs, which is very easy to read. There is plenty of white space and a simple panel structure. The familiar school setting makes this easy to relate to. A win for younger or struggling readers.
This is at a very low Lexile level, 400, which is firmly in 1st grade. But with the fairly thick binding and the graphic novel format, it would be attractive to older and struggling readers without looking too young. It does also have chapters. The font is all in caps with no serifs, which is very easy to read. There is plenty of white space and a simple panel structure. The familiar school setting makes this easy to relate to. A win for younger or struggling readers.
January 2, 2026
MUST READ BOOKS in every genre:
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A little funny.
Thriller Say Goodbye
Memoir The Yellow House
SciFi Murder by Memory
Romance Time Loops & Meet Cutes
A little funny.
October 20, 2024
When class is dismissed for recess, Eraser points out that Pencil’s point is dull. They need to find a pencil sharpener ASAP before Stella returns to her desk! Pencil is excited for an adventure, and his best friend Eraser grudgingly agrees to tag along. They summit the teacher’s desk only to find an out-of-order sharpener. They then venture into the hallway, hitching a ride on the janitor’s cart to an open classroom with a working pencil sharpener. Alas, it’s atop “the tallest mountain known to humankind” … a bookshelf! Can Pencil and Eraser overcome yet another hurdle on their quest to get sharp? Pencil & Eraser’s dull-emma will have readers giggling and awaiting the next installment!
October 29, 2024
3 stars (I liked it)
I wasn't too into this duo until the very end of the book and then I laughed out loud. But I still found eraser to be too mean. Most other duos of grumps/eccentrics don't have the grump being quite so mean. I also find it weird that the eraser is separate from the pencil because most pencils have an eraser attached (this is a new pencil. it says it has never been dull before). But I might be reading too much into a kids' book haha.
I wasn't too into this duo until the very end of the book and then I laughed out loud. But I still found eraser to be too mean. Most other duos of grumps/eccentrics don't have the grump being quite so mean. I also find it weird that the eraser is separate from the pencil because most pencils have an eraser attached (this is a new pencil. it says it has never been dull before). But I might be reading too much into a kids' book haha.
December 13, 2024
Graphic Novel
Pencil has a dull point and his "best friend" Eraser helps him find a pencil sharpener to fix this. Their adventure takes them across the classroom, but, alas, the sharpener is broken. They then venture into the hall to find a working one. An amusing finish as Eraser goes back to the pencil box to take a nap.
Fun read for lower elementary level. I appreciate the Joke Breaks between the chapters.
Pencil has a dull point and his "best friend" Eraser helps him find a pencil sharpener to fix this. Their adventure takes them across the classroom, but, alas, the sharpener is broken. They then venture into the hall to find a working one. An amusing finish as Eraser goes back to the pencil box to take a nap.
Fun read for lower elementary level. I appreciate the Joke Breaks between the chapters.
March 10, 2024
4 stars
I read a digital advanced copy courtesy of the publisher and Edelweiss
Stella's pencil is dull and needs to be sharpened. Pencil heads to the teacher's desk, taking bestie eraser along but the teacher's pencil sharpener is broken. Readers who like Pizza and Taco will enjoy this dynamic duo in this emergent reader graphic novel.
I read a digital advanced copy courtesy of the publisher and Edelweiss
Stella's pencil is dull and needs to be sharpened. Pencil heads to the teacher's desk, taking bestie eraser along but the teacher's pencil sharpener is broken. Readers who like Pizza and Taco will enjoy this dynamic duo in this emergent reader graphic novel.
May 19, 2025
Even though this is a short book, the story feels stretched out too long, and the joke breaks interrupt the flow. This will still appeal to the target audience of early elementary kids who are beginning to read chapter books and graphic novels, but this doesn't stand out in the increasingly plentiful field of options.
August 23, 2025
A cute early reader graphic novel new series. I like the "joke break" sections along the way.
Two besties, Pencil & Eraser, are on an adventure together to try and find a way to get Pencil sharpened.
Kids who like Pizza & Taco would probably like this series.
Two besties, Pencil & Eraser, are on an adventure together to try and find a way to get Pencil sharpened.
Kids who like Pizza & Taco would probably like this series.
February 12, 2024
*I read a digital ARC of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss.
September 26, 2024
I am completely head over heels for this early graphic novel. IT IS SO CUTE. I will recommend it to ALL THE PEOPLE!!!
October 22, 2024
This is very cute! Perfect for Narwhal and Jelly fans.
October 26, 2024
This wasn’t my favorite. The joke breaks broke up the story even though they were amusing. The story was weird. The characters were fun though.
December 1, 2024
Eh. Not my favorite. My 6yo and 5yo sons liked it okay.
December 21, 2024
Really cute and funny, great for little ones.
December 11, 2025
So cute. Gives me Narwhal and Jelly vibes (Ben Clanton).
January 26, 2026
This is such an adorable graphic novel series! I’ve already bought book 1 to send to my nephew. I’m excited for books 2 and 3!
January 29, 2026
This is so adorable!
September 16, 2024
Is this a book with 'meat' to it that will make kids think & grow? No. Is this a book that will suck a kid in and keep them reading to the last page wishing there was another chapter? Heck, yeah.
Silly story, fun art, prickly eraser... What more do you need? A how to draw section! WOO HOO!
Silly story, fun art, prickly eraser... What more do you need? A how to draw section! WOO HOO!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews