Malala's Magic Pencil

Starred review from July 31, 2017
Yousafzai, the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, grew up in Pakistan dreaming of possessing a magic pencil like the one on her favorite TV show. At first, she believes that such a pencil could solve any problem—from keeping her brothers out of her room to erasing war, poverty, hunger, and gender disparity. But as Malala grows, so does her sense of purpose and agency; she realizes that change comes not from magic, but from the force of her own words and ideas. When “powerful and dangerous men” (the unnamed Taliban—an afterword provides details) forbid girls from attending school, she speaks up; when “they tried to silence me,” an allusion to her near-fatal shooting,
“they failed.” Kerascoët’s bright, reportorial watercolors match the text’s directness and sincerity, adding gold embellishments to give Malala’s hopes and optimism a radiant physicality. The Malala in these pages is both approachable and extraordinary: even at her most vulnerable, turned away from readers and looking out the window of a darkened hospital room, her determination seems unstoppable. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Karolina Sutton, Curtis Brown U.K. Illustrator’s agent: Kirsten Hall, Catbird Agency.

Starred review from August 1, 2017

Gr 3 Up-Yousafzai, the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and campaigner for the rights of all children to attend school, has written her first picture book. It is an autobiographical account of her life designed for younger readers. She gently introduces her childhood in Pakistan and recounts a favorite TV show where a young boy has a magic pencil that he uses to help people. The magic pencil becomes a reoccurring motif throughout the work on how to make the world a better place. Of the infamous Taliban violence, she simply says, "My voice became so powerful that the dangerous men tried to silence me. But they failed." The beautifully written book goes on to describe Yousafzai's quest for justice and the importance of finding one's voice. The enchanting story is accompanied by the beautiful illustrations of duo Sebastien Cosset and Maries Pommepuy, also known as "Kerascoet." Sparse pen and ink outlines the bright, soft watercolors that effortlessly depict Yousafzai's daily life and then are enhanced by delicate gold overlay drawings that highlight her magical wishes for a better world and the power that a single voice can command. This is a wonderful read for younger students that will also provide insight and encourage discussion about the wider world. Included are biographical notes and photos of Yousafzai and her family. VERDICT The simplicity of Yousafzai's writing and the powerful message she sends, make this book inspirational for all. Highly recommended.-Carole Phillips, Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 15, 2017
The latest of many picture books about the young heroine from Pakistan, this one is narrated by Malala herself, with a frame that is accessible to young readers. Malala introduces her story using a television show she used to watch about a boy with a magic pencil that he used to get himself and his friends out of trouble. Readers can easily follow Malala through her own discovery of troubles in her beloved home village, such as other children not attending school and soldiers taking over the village. Watercolor-and-ink illustrations give a strong sense of setting, while gold ink designs overlay Malala's hopes onto her often dreary reality. The story makes clear Malala's motivations for taking up the pen to tell the world about the hardships in her village and only alludes to the attempt on her life, with a black page ("the dangerous men tried to silence me. / But they failed") and a hospital bracelet on her wrist the only hints of the harm that came to her. Crowds with signs join her call before she is shown giving her famous speech before the United Nations. Toward the end of the book, adult readers may need to help children understand Malala's "work," but the message of holding fast to courage and working together is powerful and clear. An inspiring introduction to the young Nobel Peace Prize winner and a useful conversation starter. (Picture book/memoir. 5-8)

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September 15, 2017
Grades K-2 Malala Yousafzai, activist and youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, takes her well-known story and brings it to a younger audience. She starts with a memory from her Pakistani childhood: watching a TV show in which a boy makes anything real by drawing it with his magic pencil. Malala drew things that would make others happy, including schools her father might open. Unlike some fathers, Malala's encourages her to learn, and learn she does. But then powerful and dangerous men forbade girls from attending school. Malala deftly handles the most difficult parts of her story. She notes simply that the men used weapons to attempt to silence her powerful voice. But they failed. The book then describes how Malala went on to become a household name. Artistically, the illustrations feel a bit lighthearted and casual, though there are plenty of moving scenes, and the decorative touches are nicely enhancing. Malala's messages of inclusivity, girls' rights, and strength through knowledge come across loud and clear.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2018
As a girl, education activist Malala Yousafzai enjoyed watching a TV show about a magic pencil. In child-friendly text, she describes how she would use a magic pencil to change the world. Facing reality, Malala began to focus on what she loved most--school and speaking out against oppression. The ink and watercolor illustrations use pastel shades and earth-tone hues to show details of young Malala's culture.

(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

November 1, 2017
As a girl, Malala Yousafzai enjoyed a TV show about a boy who used a magic pencil to solve problems. In child-friendly text, she first describes what she would do if she had a magic pencil: stop time so I could sleep an extra hour every morningerase the smell of the trash dump near our house. She wondered about her own dreams and the dreams of other girls. In her society, would they have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams? If she had that magic pencil she could change the world! First, I would erase war, poverty, and hunger. Then I would draw girls and boys together as equals. Knowing that a magic pencil wasn't a reality, Malala began to focus on what she loved most--school, and speaking out against oppression. Yousafzai gently indicates in the book when others wanted to silence her but did not succeed, leaving the true, violent details out of this picture-book narration; minimal text on an all-black page hints at the darkness of her enemies' actions against her. The ink and watercolor illustrations by Kerascoet (a husband-and-wife team) use pastel shades and earth-tone hues to show details of the young Malala's culture and call attention to her dreams, wishes, and actions. In this book Yousafzai shows the world that it's never wrong to dream and hope. But dreaming is not enough--you have to take action and lend your voice. Yousafzai did, and continues to be that voice that speaks for all. aishah abdul-musawwir

(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)