The Pencil is a unique original story based on the childhood experiences of Inuk author Susan Avingaq. Told in 36-page picture book format with engaging colour illustrations by Charlene Chua, this story will appeal to primary level students from all regions of Canada. In the story three Inuit children are at home in their iglu with their father while their midwife mother is away assisting at a birth in their community. The main character Susan retells how as a child she and her siblings would watch their mom write letters to friends and family with a special tool, a tiny pencil. This useful instrument was kept in a special location in the family’s iglu. While the children waited for their mother’s return, father entertains his children with creative activities. When all the games they knew were played, father thinks of something else for everyone to do. This activity involved the pencil and each child drew pictures on tiny scrapes of paper their mother had saved. As the pencil grew shorter, father would sharpen it until it became just a tiny piece of wood. When mother returns after a successful birth, the children tell mother what fun they all had. They tell her about the pencil and she is happy everyone had a fun day. The family knew that the pencil was not a toy, it was an important tool that was difficult to purchase and they had to use it wisely. Readers may not appreciate the value of conserving our resources, even a pencil. This story brings into focus how the Inuit valued tools in the past. This picture book makes a fine introduction to the idea of conservation. Highly recommended.